Meghan Hodges
Marine debris, or litter, is defined as any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material that is discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment. The majority of pollutants that enter the ocean come from human activities along coastlines and far inland, with nonpoint source pollution being the biggest contributor. This type of pollution occurs as a result of runoff from sources like septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and factories. Land litter, which includes items like cigarette butts, plastic bags, and old tires, can make its way into the ocean through poor waste management practices, stormwater discharge, and natural events like hurricanes. Once in the ocean, marine debris can cause severe harm to marine life, leading to injury, entanglement, and internal issues, as well as threatening their habitats. It also poses risks to human health and safety, including the threat of injury from sharp objects and exposure to chemicals.
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What You'll Learn
- Marine debris, such as plastic, can cause the death of marine animals
- Land-based sources, like runoff, are a major contributor to ocean pollution
- Poor waste management practices can lead to litter ending up in oceans
- Marine animals mistake plastic for food, which can cause internal injuries
- Land litter, like cigarette butts, can affect water quality and human health
Marine debris, such as plastic, can cause the death of marine animals
Secondly, marine animals can become entangled in marine debris, such as derelict fishing lines, nets, ropes, and other discarded items. Entanglement can cause injury, infection, and restricted movement, making it difficult for animals to feed or escape from predators. Air-breathing animals, such as sea turtles, may drown if they are entangled and unable to reach the surface to breathe.
Additionally, marine debris can harm animals indirectly by damaging their habitats. Large or heavy debris can smother and destroy sensitive habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, which many marine species depend on for food and shelter. Derelict fishing gear can also continue to capture and kill wildlife, further impacting marine populations.
The impact of marine debris on animal life is widespread, with hundreds of species affected globally. It is a preventable problem that requires collective efforts to address through reduced plastic use, proper waste management, and community involvement in caring for local environments.
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Land-based sources, like runoff, are a major contributor to ocean pollution
Land-based sources, such as runoff, are a significant contributor to ocean pollution. Runoff occurs when rainfall or snowmelt moves over and through the ground, picking up and carrying pollutants from the land into nearby water bodies. This can include anything from fertiliser, oil, pesticides, dirt, bacteria, and other pollutants, which are then carried into streams, rivers, lakes, and eventually the ocean.
Nonpoint source pollution, which includes runoff, is one of the biggest sources of ocean pollution. It can come from various land-based activities and sources such as septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. The pollutants from these sources are carried by stormwater into local waterways and, ultimately, the ocean.
Agricultural practices, in particular, contribute significantly to runoff pollution. The use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides on farmlands can be carried away by rainwater and snowmelt, ending up in nearby water bodies. This type of pollution is known as cultural eutrophication, which often results in algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems. The algal blooms can reduce light penetration, negatively impacting both predators and plants in the littoral zone.
In addition to agricultural sources, urban and suburban areas also contribute to runoff pollution. Hard surfaces, such as pavement and compacted landscapes, increase the amount of runoff. As rainwater flows over these surfaces, it picks up various contaminants, including pet waste, oil, and other pollutants. This polluted water then flows into storm drains and ditches, untreated, making its way into local waterways and the ocean.
The effects of runoff pollution are far-reaching and long-lasting. It can erode streams, kill fish and other aquatic life, contaminate drinking water sources, and cause flooding in homes and recreational areas. Additionally, runoff can carry eroded dirt that blocks sunlight from reaching underwater grasses, smothering the habitats of oysters and other marine life.
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Poor waste management practices can lead to litter ending up in oceans
Poor waste management practices are a significant contributor to ocean pollution, with litter ending up in oceans and severely impacting marine life and ecosystems. This occurs through several pathways, including:
Mixing of Waste Streams
In many regions, household and commercial garbage is mixed with hazardous waste during storage and handling. This practice compromises the recyclability of materials and increases the likelihood of toxic substances entering the environment.
Inadequate Storage and Transportation Systems
Waste storage facilities are often old or poorly managed, lacking the necessary infrastructure to securely contain waste. This is compounded by deficient transportation systems that may lack the capacity or expertise to safely transfer waste to appropriate disposal sites.
Uncontrolled Dumping and Open-Air Incineration
In the absence of regulated landfills or proper disposal methods, waste is often dumped or burned in open spaces, near marginalized communities. This practice not only affects the health of nearby residents but also allows pollutants to enter water bodies, including oceans.
Landfill Capacity Issues
In developing countries, landfills are the primary method for waste disposal. However, many of these landfills are reaching their maximum capacity and are not designed to handle the volume of waste generated. This leads to overflow and improper disposal, increasing the risk of litter ending up in oceans.
Impact on Water Quality
Litter and improperly managed waste can contaminate groundwater and surface water sources. This affects both human and marine life, as pollutants can seep into waterways and eventually reach the ocean, harming marine ecosystems and interfering with navigation safety.
Addressing these poor waste management practices is crucial to mitigating ocean pollution and protecting the delicate balance of marine environments. Implementing sustainable waste management solutions, improving infrastructure, and promoting proper waste disposal practices are essential steps toward reducing the amount of litter that ends up in our oceans.
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Marine animals mistake plastic for food, which can cause internal injuries
Marine animals are negatively impacted by marine debris, which can harm or even kill them when ingested or when they become entangled in it. Marine debris, such as plastic, can be mistaken for food by marine animals, leading to internal injuries and other health issues.
Marine animals, including seabirds, fish, and turtles, have been found to ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for their natural food sources. For example, sea turtles may mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish, a common prey item. Plastic pellets can also resemble fish eggs, making them appealing to fish and birds. The smell of plastic, particularly when algae grows on it, can also attract marine life, as the algae release dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a compound that attracts foraging birds and fish.
Ingesting plastic can lead to internal injuries, intestinal blockages, and even death. Sharp or rough plastic can cause cuts in the digestive system, leading to infections and internal bleeding. It can also block the digestive tract, making the animal feel full and reducing their urge to eat, resulting in malnutrition and starvation.
Additionally, plastic can pass through the digestive system and remain in the animal's body for an extended period. It can even travel up the food chain, as larger fish and marine mammals consume smaller fish that have ingested plastic. This means that plastic pollution not only directly harms individual animals but also has the potential to impact entire ecosystems.
The impact of plastic ingestion on marine animals is still being studied, and the full extent of its effects is not yet fully understood. However, it is clear that littering and improper waste management contribute significantly to this issue, with plastic pollution ending up in oceans and harming marine life.
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Land litter, like cigarette butts, can affect water quality and human health
Land littering, including the improper disposal of cigarette butts, is a significant contributor to water pollution and poses risks to both human health and the environment.
Cigarette butts are the most frequently littered item, with an estimated 9.7 billion discarded along roadways and waterways. When littered, cigarette butts can enter waterways such as lakes or rivers, releasing toxins that contaminate water sources and affect water quality. These toxins can accumulate and pose a significant threat to marine life, with studies showing that they can impair hormonal regulation, tumor suppression, and embryonic development in aquatic species.
The chemicals in cigarette butts, such as arsenic and formaldehyde, can leach into the ground and contaminate soil and freshwater sources, impacting plant growth and the overall balance of the ecosystem. This contamination can have long-term effects on future biodiversity and negatively impact human health. According to The Truth Initiative, the chemicals leached from a single cigarette butt soaked in a liter of water contain enough toxins to kill 50% of exposed freshwater and saltwater fish within 96 hours.
In addition to the environmental impact, land littering can also affect human health directly. For example, litter can attract rats and harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of disease transmission. It can also cause vehicle accidents and injuries, smother plants, start fires, and harm or kill animals. Furthermore, litter can clog storm drains, leading to flooding and creating additional health and safety hazards for communities.
To address the issue of land littering and its impact on water quality and human health, strong anti-litter laws, regulations, and enforcement efforts are necessary. Education and community initiatives that promote proper waste disposal, recycling, and litter reduction are also essential in mitigating the negative consequences of land littering on the environment and human well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine debris, or marine litter, is defined as any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material that has been discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment.
Littering is a major contributor to ocean pollution. When trash and household toxic substances are improperly disposed of on land or in water, they can make their way into the ocean.
Marine debris can cause injury or death to marine life through entanglement, internal injuries, or starvation following ingestion. It can also damage sensitive habitats and interfere with navigation safety.
Marine debris comes from a variety of sources, including land-based sources such as littering, poor waste management practices, and runoff, as well as ocean-based sources such as derelict fishing gear and discharges from ships.
Various international agreements and initiatives have been put in place to tackle the issue of marine litter. For example, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships prohibits the disposal of plastics and certain other types of waste into the sea. In addition, regional efforts such as the Pacific Ocean Litter Project aim to reduce marine litter in coastal environments.
