Litter's Impact: Water Pollution And Its Devastating Effects

Littering is a pervasive problem that affects water bodies worldwide, with an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste entering our oceans each year. It is one of the main sources of water pollution, causing irreversible damage to aquatic ecosystems and threatening the biodiversity and food chains that support them. As litter degrades, it releases chemicals and microparticles that are foreign to the environment, contaminating water sources and impacting both human and animal life. This is particularly evident in the case of cigarette butts, which are the most frequently littered item and contain toxic chemicals such as arsenic and formaldehyde. With litter contributing to up to 60% of water pollution, understanding how litter pollutes water is crucial for safeguarding our precious water resources and the health of our planet.

Cigarette butts are the most littered item and contain harmful chemicals

Cigarette butts are the most littered item worldwide, with about 4.5 trillion cigarettes discarded each year. They are also the most common item collected during clean-up efforts, making up more than one-third of all collected litter. This is due to a combination of high smoking rates and the common practice of littering butts, with 75% of smokers reporting that they dispose of cigarettes on the ground or out of a car.

Cigarette butts contain harmful chemicals such as arsenic, formaldehyde, nicotine, ethylphenol, and lead, which can leach into the environment and contaminate water sources. These chemicals are toxic to both humans and animals and can negatively impact freshwater sources and marine life. The filters of cigarettes are primarily made of plastic fibres (cellulose acetate), which are non-biodegradable and can take a long time to decompose, remaining in the environment for many years.

The plastic fibres in cigarette butts do not biodegrade naturally and can only degrade under severe biological circumstances, such as when filters collect in sewage. Even under optimal conditions, it can take at least nine months for a cigarette butt to decompose, and a recent study found that a cigarette butt was only about 38% decomposed after two years. This means that the toxic chemicals in cigarette butts can continue to leach into the environment for extended periods, contributing to water pollution and causing harm to aquatic life.

The presence of these toxic chemicals in cigarette butts has been shown to have significant ecological impacts. For example, studies have found that the chemicals in smoked cigarette butts can exert considerable toxicity to fish species, with remnant tobacco contributing to a greater degree of toxicity than that conferred by chemicals trapped and leached from the smoked filter itself. Additionally, the plastic fibres in cigarette butts contribute to the growing problem of plastic pollution in waterways and the ocean, further endangering marine life and damaging aquatic ecosystems.

Plastic waste is a major contributor to water pollution and harms marine life

Plastic waste is a significant contributor to water pollution and poses a severe threat to marine life. When plastic ends up in waterways, it can have detrimental effects on the environment and the organisms that inhabit these ecosystems.

Plastic pollution in water is primarily caused by improper disposal and the deliberate act of littering. When plastic waste is not placed in designated bins for recycling, composting, or trash, it can be carried by rain and wind into storm drains, streams, canals, and rivers, eventually making its way into oceans. This plastic waste then becomes aquatic trash or marine debris, polluting the water and endangering marine life.

The durability of plastic materials contributes significantly to the problem. Plastic does not fully biodegrade in the environment, and its persistence leads to continuous accumulation in landfills and natural habitats. The EPA reports that "every bit of plastic ever made still exists," highlighting the longevity of this material in the environment. As a result, plastic pollution has been found in various organisms and habitats, including coral reefs, estuaries, beaches, and even the deep sea.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is profound and far-reaching. Marine mammals, such as whales, seals, and sea lions, are at risk of ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it, leading to injury and death. For example, endangered Hawaiian monk seals and Steller sea lions have been found with large amounts of plastic debris in their habitats, endangering their already vulnerable populations.

Additionally, plastic pollution affects seabirds and sea turtles. Seabirds, which naturally feed from the ocean's surface, mistake small plastic fragments for food, leading to starvation or suffocation. Sea turtles are also affected, with studies showing that ingesting just 14 pieces of plastic significantly increases their risk of death. The presence of plastic in their habitats and food sources is detrimental to the reproduction and survival of these species.

To address this pressing issue, efforts must be made to prevent plastic pollution at its source. This includes minimizing plastic leakage into the environment, reducing the toxicity of plastics, and promoting their reuse, repurposing, and recycling. By shifting how we view and use plastic, we can help mitigate its harmful effects on marine life and ecosystems.

Rain and wind carry litter into waterways, polluting drinking water sources

Rain and wind can carry litter into waterways, polluting drinking water sources and causing a range of other issues. When garbage is left on the ground and not properly disposed of, rain and wind can carry it into storm drains, streams, canals, and rivers. For example, a cigarette butt—the most frequently littered item—tossed onto the pavement can be washed into a storm drain and travel through the stormwater system, which sometimes empties directly into waterways.

During storms, rain washes away trash, along with chemicals and other improperly disposed of materials, into storm drains. The resulting polluted water then makes its way into nearby creeks and streams before ultimately flowing into rivers that serve as sources of drinking water. In addition to polluting drinking water, this process can also lead to clogged storm drains, causing flooding and further spreading pollution.

Litter that enters waterways can create a wide range of problems. Firstly, it affects water quality, impairing drinking water supplies and endangering plants, animals, and humans. Aquatic trash provides breeding grounds for bacteria and diseases that can be spread to people. It also reduces the aesthetic and recreational value of waterfront destinations, as trash washed up on shorelines or floating in the water is unappealing and potentially unsafe. Additionally, trash pollution can damage boats by tangling propellers or clogging vessel intakes.

Plastic pollution is particularly harmful as plastic does not fully biodegrade. It persists in the environment, accumulating in landfills and natural habitats such as coral reefs, estuaries, beaches, and the deep sea. Over time, plastics break down into microplastics, which can be ingested by both animals and humans, leading to health issues.

Marine debris affects biodiversity, food chains, and the tourism industry

Marine debris is a significant threat to the health of the world's oceans, coastal areas, and waterways. It affects biodiversity, food chains, and the tourism industry.

Biodiversity

Marine debris, such as plastic bags, beverage bottles, and fishing gear, can have devastating effects on marine life. Animals can easily become entangled in derelict fishing lines, nets, packing bands, and other types of debris. This can restrict their movement, cause injury, and even lead to drowning. For example, sea turtles can drown if they are unable to reach the surface to breathe due to entanglement. Marine debris also poses a serious ingestion risk to wildlife. Plastics can be mistaken for food, leading to intestinal blockage, internal injuries, starvation, and death. A recent study found plastic in 90% of seabirds, with other vulnerable species including sea turtles, marine mammals, and invertebrates.

Food Chains

The presence of marine debris in the ocean can also lead to the introduction of non-native species, which can have significant impacts on food chains. These species may hitch a ride on debris, travelling from one region to another. If they become invasive, they can deplete food sources and destroy habitats, disrupting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

Tourism Industry

The presence of marine debris on beaches can have a significant impact on tourism-dependent coastal communities. A study by the NOAA Marine Debris Program found that an increase in the amount of debris on beaches leads to a decrease in the number of days visitors spend there. This, in turn, results in reduced tourism spending and a decline in local jobs. Preventing and cleaning up marine debris is crucial to mitigating these economic impacts and preserving the livelihoods of those who depend on beach tourism.

Improperly discarded PPE has added to the existing litter problem

The improper disposal of waste products, or littering, has severe environmental consequences. It is a major contributor to water pollution, with garbage from land-based activities ending up in rivers, lakes, streams, and creeks. This "aquatic trash" can enter waterways through various means, such as rain and wind carrying litter on the ground into storm drains, or illegal dumping near waterways. Once in the water, trash can travel long distances, polluting oceans and endangering plants and animals. Plastic pollution is particularly harmful as it does not fully biodegrade and can accumulate in the environment, harming marine life and reducing the aesthetic value of waterfront destinations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing litter problem with a drastic increase in the use of disposable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Used and potentially contaminated PPE, such as masks and gloves, have been improperly discarded in public spaces, including parking lots, parks, streets, and sidewalks. This has led to PPE litter accumulating on beaches and nature trails, endangering marine life and wildlife habitats. For example, in Hong Kong, there were concerns that discarded face masks on beaches were threatening marine life and wildlife. Similarly, in Long Island, there were fears of road flooding due to discarded PPE clogging drains, as rainwater collects in pits to recharge groundwater.

The improper disposal of PPE has not only added to the litter problem but has also created a potential health hazard. Sanitation workers must collect this contaminated waste, and there have been efforts to introduce fines for the improper disposal of PPE during public health crises. While some places have seen progress in reducing roadway litter, the deliberate act of littering remains a significant issue, with cigarettes being the most frequently littered item.

Overall, improperly discarded PPE has contributed to the existing litter problem, impacting the environment, endangering wildlife, and creating potential health risks. It is crucial to address this issue through proper waste disposal, public awareness, and enforcement of littering laws to mitigate the negative consequences on the environment and human and animal health.

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