Brian Barton
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. Marine animals are dying from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in plastic debris. Seabirds, turtles, whales, dolphins, seals, and even rare species like the humpback dolphin are among the casualties. The impact of plastic pollution on these creatures is twofold: it can lead to starvation or suffocation when ingested, and it can cause fatal injuries or infections when animals become entangled. The durability of plastic means that it persists in the ocean, accumulating in gyres like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and embedding itself in ecosystems. With an estimated 8 to 10 million tons of plastic entering the ocean annually, the problem is only growing, and it's up to humans to address it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine mammals killed by plastic pollution annually | 100,000 |
| Number of seabirds killed by plastic pollution annually | 1,000,000 |
| Number of plastic pieces dumped into the ocean daily | 13,000-15,000 |
| Number of plastic tons dumped into the ocean annually | 8,000,000-10,000,000 |
| Number of plastic pieces in every square mile of the ocean | 46,000 |
| Number of plastic tons leaked into the ocean from Australia annually | 130,000 |
| Number of sea turtle species affected by plastic pollution | 7 |
| Number of marine mammal species that have eaten or been entangled in plastic | 81 |
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Ingesting plastic
Marine animals ingest plastic when they mistake it for food. This can happen in several ways. For animals that rely on eyesight, plastic floating in the water can look like prey. For example, a plastic bag filled with water can resemble a squid. Even species that do not identify prey by sight are not safe. Some whale and dolphin species use echolocation to find their prey, but scientists believe that unnatural objects such as plastic waste confuse this method and are incorrectly interpreted as food.
Once ingested, plastic can cause inflammation of abdominal tissues, as in the case of a sperm whale that died with nearly 30 kg of plastic in its gut. Plastic can also take up space in the stomach, leading to starvation. A study found that sea turtles that ingest just 14 pieces of plastic have an increased risk of death. Seabirds are also affected in this way, with many found dead and their stomachs full of plastic waste.
In addition to directly eating plastic, fish and molluscs such as mussels and oysters ingest microplastics when they feed by filtering seawater. A recent study of mussels from UK waters found that 100% of samples contained microplastic pieces. Microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the water around them, and these toxins can transfer to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them.
It is difficult to know exactly how many marine animals are killed by ingesting plastic, but it is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals every year. 81 out of 123 marine mammal species are known to have eaten plastic, and all seven sea turtle species are affected.
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Entanglement in plastic
Marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, often become entangled in plastic, which can lead to death. This plastic includes discarded fishing gear, nets, and other debris such as plastic bags, six-pack rings, and microplastics.
The plastic can cut into the flesh of the entangled animal, causing physical trauma and deep wounds that increase the risk of deadly infections. It can also restrict their ability to feed, leading to malnutrition and starvation. Additionally, entanglement may hinder their ability to avoid vessels, increasing the likelihood of vessel strikes.
The impact of plastic entanglement on marine life is widespread and devastating. Efforts to reduce single-use plastic and promote recycling are crucial to mitigating this global issue.
Rescue and response teams play a vital role in mitigating the impact of plastic entanglement. They employ techniques such as using small inflatable rescue boats to approach and disentangle whales and large sea turtles. For smaller animals, such as dolphins and seals, they may capture them first before removing the entanglement.
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Starvation
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global crisis that has had devastating effects on marine life. Marine animals, including mammals, birds, and fish, are at risk of starvation due to ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.
Sea turtles often mistake plastic for food as plastic bags look similar to jellyfish, their staple diet. When turtles eat plastic, it can make them feel full, leading to starvation. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and all seven species of sea turtles from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea had traces of microplastics in their gut.
Seabirds are also affected by plastic pollution, mistaking small plastic fragments on the water's surface for food. This can lead to starvation as plastic reduces the storage volume of the stomach. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, and over a million seabirds die from plastic ingestion each year.
Marine mammals, such as whales and seals, are also vulnerable to starvation due to plastic pollution. Whales can ingest large amounts of plastic, causing inflammation and intestinal injury, which can be fatal. Seals can also mistake plastic bags for their prey, such as squid, leading to starvation.
Plastic pollution in the ocean comes from various human activities, including littering, poor waste management, and runoff. It is important to address this issue through proper waste management, recycling, and reducing single-use plastic to protect marine life from starvation and other harmful effects of plastic pollution.
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Suffocation
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to marine life. One of the ways it does so is by causing suffocation in sea animals. While it is difficult to know the exact number, it is estimated that plastic pollution kills about 100,000 marine mammals annually.
Plastic Ingestion Leading to Suffocation
Small plastic fragments can sit on the surface of the water and be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, leading to suffocation. Plastic bags can resemble squids or other prey, leading to their ingestion by seals and marine mammals. Even species that do not rely on sight to identify prey are at risk. Toothed whales and some dolphin species use echolocation to find their prey, but unnatural objects like plastic waste can confuse their sonar, leading them to incorrectly interpret plastic as food. This ingestion of plastic can cause blockages in their digestive systems, leading to suffocation and death.
Plastic Entanglement Leading to Suffocation
Large plastic items, such as abandoned fishing gear, ropes, nets, and pots, can entangle marine mammals and fish, restricting their movement and causing suffocation. This entanglement can also make them more vulnerable to predators. For example, the endangered Steller sea lion has suffered injuries and mortality due to entanglement in packing bands.
Microplastics and Toxin Absorption
In addition to larger plastic items, microplastics, or plastics smaller than 5mm, pose a significant threat. These microscopic particles can be ingested by marine life and absorb toxins, leading to toxic contamination. While the long-term impacts of microplastics are yet to be fully understood, their ability to transfer toxins to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them is concerning.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating and widespread. It affects a wide range of species, from seabirds to marine mammals, and the problem is only growing. It is crucial that we address this issue urgently to protect the delicate marine ecosystem and the diverse range of sea animals that call it home.
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Intestinal injury
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to the health and survival of sea animals. One of the primary ways pollution causes intestinal injury and death in marine life is through the ingestion of plastic waste. As plastic breaks down into smaller fragments, sea animals, particularly those that feed from the ocean surface, mistake these pieces for food. This is a common occurrence among sea turtles, seabirds, and fish, leading to severe intestinal issues and death.
Sea turtles, for instance, struggle to differentiate plastic from their natural prey. They ingest plastic items, such as bottle caps, which are less dense than seawater and float on the surface. When sea turtles consume significant amounts of this floating plastic, they can become positively buoyant and unable to dive to feed, leading to starvation. Additionally, the rough edges of broken-down plastic pieces can cause internal injuries and scarring, a condition known as plasticosis. This scarring impairs the digestive abilities of seabirds, making it challenging for them to obtain the necessary nutrients and increasing their susceptibility to illness and infection.
The ingestion of plastic also reduces the storage volume in the stomachs of sea animals, leading to a false sense of fullness and subsequent starvation. This is observed in sea turtles and seabirds, where ingesting as few as 14 pieces of plastic can increase the risk of death. Furthermore, plastic debris can clog the digestive tracts of sea turtles, causing intestinal blockages and further contributing to malnutrition and starvation.
Beyond intestinal injuries, plastic pollution also poses risks of entanglement, drowning, and increased vulnerability to predators. Marine mammals, including whales, seals, and sea lions, have been found entangled in plastic debris, suffering injuries and even death. Additionally, ingested plastic can transfer up the food chain, affecting larger fish, marine mammals, and ultimately human seafood eaters.
The accumulation of plastic pollution in the oceans is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. With plastic debris found even in the deepest parts of the ocean, no marine creature is safe from its harmful effects. Addressing this crisis demands a multifaceted approach, including improved waste management, reduced plastic production, and the promotion of reusable alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution kills sea animals in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Marine animals can mistake plastic for prey, which can lead to intestinal injury, starvation, or suffocation. Plastic waste can also entangle and trap sea animals, leaving them unable to move and susceptible to deadly infections.
It is estimated that 8 to 10 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, with about 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the north-central Pacific Ocean, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the world.
All types of sea animals, from small finches to large whales, are affected by plastic pollution. However, some species that are particularly vulnerable include sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals.
