Ocean Pollution: Harming Marine Life And Ecosystems

Ocean pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. Among the various forms of ocean pollution, plastic waste stands out as the most detrimental, with its presence spanning from the equator to the poles and from Arctic ice sheets to the sea floor. The accumulation of plastic in the oceans has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic making up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. This crisis is not limited to remote locations but also includes popular tourist destinations such as beaches, where plastic pollution has been found to affect the reproduction rates of certain species. The impact of plastic pollution on marine animals is devastating, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals killed each year due to plastic ingestion or entanglement. Endangered species are particularly vulnerable, with nearly 700 species, including the Hawaiian monk seal and Pacific loggerhead sea turtle, falling victim to plastic ingestion and entanglement. The issue of plastic pollution in the oceans extends beyond marine life, as the breakdown of plastics into tiny particles ultimately ends up in the seafood consumed by humans.

Plastic ingestion

Marine animals ingesting plastic is a significant concern, with plastic pollution in the ocean causing devastating effects on wildlife. Plastic ingestion can be fatal for marine animals, and it is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals every year. The problem is widespread, with 800 species affected by marine debris worldwide, and plastic accounting for 80% of this litter.

One of the primary ways plastic ingestion harms marine animals is by obstructing their digestive tracts, leading to intestinal injuries and even death. Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, causing intestinal injuries and transferring plastic up the food chain to larger fish, marine mammals, and eventually humans. A recent study found plastic in the guts of a quarter of fish sold in California markets, mostly in the form of plastic microfibers.

Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion, often mistaking floating plastic for food. Tragically, research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and a recent study found that ingesting just 14 pieces of plastic increases their risk of death. Turtles can also mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their primary treat, leading to choking, internal injuries, or starvation as they feel full from ingesting indigestible plastic.

Additionally, plastic waste in the ocean can encourage the growth of pathogens. Corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to only a 4% likelihood for corals that are plastic-free.

The impact of plastic ingestion on marine animals is severe and far-reaching, affecting their health, reproduction, and survival. With plastic pollution in the ocean showing no signs of slowing, it is crucial to address this urgent problem before it's too late.

Entanglement in plastic

Marine animals have been known to interact with and become entangled in plastic debris for decades. This is a global problem that results in the death of hundreds of thousands of marine mammals and sea turtles annually.

Many marine animals, including whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, become entangled in plastic debris as they swim or while on the beach. This debris includes plastic bags, fishing gear, and other types of ropes or lines. Smaller animals such as sea turtles, seals, porpoises, and smaller whales may drown immediately if the plastic is large or heavy. Entanglement can also cause physical trauma and infections as the gear cuts into their flesh.

Critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals, an important species, have been found with large amounts of plastic debris in their habitats, including areas that serve as pup nurseries. Packing bands, the most common entangling material, have led to injury and mortality in the endangered Steller sea lion.

The problem of plastic pollution in the oceans is growing, with the fossil fuel industry planning to increase plastic production by 40% over the next decade. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis and protect marine life from the harmful effects of entanglement in plastic debris.

Plastic pollution of breeding grounds

Microplastics, ranging from 0.001 to 140 particles per cubic meter in water and 0.2 to 8766 particles per cubic meter in sediments, are widely distributed in marine and coastal habitats. They are ingested by marine organisms, causing toxicological effects and even death. The ingestion of plastic can lead to intestinal injuries and death in fish, and it can also transfer plastic up the food chain to larger fish, marine mammals, and humans who consume seafood. Additionally, plastic debris can entangle and restrict the growth of marine life, impacting their ability to move, feed, and reproduce.

The accumulation of plastic in breeding grounds has severe ecological and socio-economic consequences. It disrupts the structure and functions of ecosystems, leading to a loss of biodiversity and trophic relationships. The introduction of invasive species through plastic rafting further modifies ecosystem composition and equilibrium. From an economic perspective, plastic pollution in breeding grounds affects commercial fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. It also impacts human health, with the potential for plastic contaminants to enter the human body through the ingestion of contaminated seafood.

Addressing plastic pollution in breeding grounds requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes reducing, recycling, and reusing plastic products, as well as implementing policies and regulations at the global, regional, and national levels to control and prevent plastic debris from reaching these critical habitats. Collaborative efforts between governments and private companies are also essential in tackling this issue effectively.

Plastic in seafood

Plastic in the ocean is a pressing issue that has severe consequences for marine life and, in turn, human life. Plastic waste in the ocean is ingested by marine animals, which often leads to their death. This plastic waste then makes its way into the seafood that humans consume.

Humans are not immune to the threat of plastic pollution in the ocean. Plastic debris ingested by marine animals makes its way up the food chain and ends up in the seafood that humans consume. A recent study found plastic in every sample of seafood tested, indicating that microplastics do find their way into our food products. This is supported by another study that found plastic in the guts of a quarter of fish at markets in California, mostly in the form of plastic microfibers.

Microplastics

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters long. They are prevalent in seafood due to their vast quantity in the ocean. They can travel easily throughout the oceans and are often mistaken for food by marine animals. Over time, microplastics accumulate in these animals, which eventually become food for humans.

Health Risks

The health risks of consuming plastic-contaminated seafood are not yet fully understood. It may take decades to fully comprehend the effects of microplastics, as some health issues may only appear after long-term exposure. However, some potential effects of consuming plastic-contaminated seafood include:

• Oxidative stress: an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals, increasing the risk of cancer and heart attacks.
• Neurotoxic effects: exposure to plastics may damage neurons and increase the risk of brain health issues such as dementia.
• Endocrine disruption: plastics may change the way the endocrine system and the hormones it controls behave, affecting fertility, behavior, and overall health.
• Thyroid damage: exposure to microplastics may damage the thyroid, which regulates important functions and controls hormones affecting fertility.
• Cancer: exposure to plastics and the toxic chemicals they carry may increase the risk of cancer.

Preventing Ocean Plastic Pollution

While the effects of microplastics on human health are still being researched, the best course of action is to prevent plastics from entering the ocean in the first place. This includes reducing single-use plastic consumption and supporting initiatives to treat plastic pollution as the hazardous waste that it is.

Plastic's impact on mating rituals

Marine animals are suffering from the impact of plastic pollution on their mating rituals and reproductive behaviour. A University of Portsmouth study found that the chemicals commonly found in plastics are altering the reproductive behaviour of the marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus, a shrimp-like creature. These chemicals lead to unsuccessful mating behaviour, with exposed creatures taking much longer to repair the bond with their mate, and in some cases, the repair does not happen. This has serious repercussions for the species being tested and potentially for the entire marine ecosystem.

The study's lead researcher, Professor Alex Ford, emphasised the broader implications, stating that the disrupted mating behaviour could have severe consequences for the population as a whole. Echinogammarus marinus holds ecological significance, forming a substantial part of the diet of fish and birds on European shores. Any compromise in their reproductive behaviour could have a cascading effect on the entire marine food chain.

The study tested four common plastic additives: phthalates (DEHP and DBP), Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), and N-butyl benzenesulfonamide (NBBS). These chemicals are found in a range of products, from medical supplies and food packaging to electronic equipment and cooking utensils. While the tested animals were exposed to higher concentrations than typically found in the environment, the results indicate that these chemicals can affect sperm count.

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global crisis. Billions of pounds of plastic can be found in swirling convergences that make up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. At current rates, plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. This crisis is having a direct and deadly effect on wildlife, with thousands of marine animals dying each year from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine animals' mating rituals is just one aspect of the broader issue of plastic's harmful effects on marine life. It is essential to address this urgent problem and take action to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.

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