Pollution's Impact: Animals Affected By Human Negligence

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects a wide range of animals. From crabs to whales, bacteria to humans, plastic in our seas is harming life all along the food chain. It is estimated that tens of thousands of individual marine organisms suffer from entanglement or ingestion of plastics. Sea turtles, whales, seabirds, fish, seals, and other marine mammals are among the many species that ingest plastic or get entangled in it. Plastic pollution also affects marine bacteria and has been found to interfere with the growth, photosynthesis, and oxygen production of Prochlorococcus, a photosynthetic bacteria that produces 10% of the oxygen we breathe.

The impact of plastic pollution on animals is not limited to the oceans. Air pollution can harm wildlife by affecting the quality of their habitats and food supply. Pollutants such as acid rain, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can change the chemistry and quality of soils and water, making it difficult for some animals to survive or function normally. Additionally, air pollutants can enter the food chain, damaging the supply and quality of food for wildlife.

Plastic ingestion kills many species, including over a million seabirds per year

Plastic ingestion is a major threat to many species, including over a million seabirds per year. Birds are highly susceptible to external conditions and can be used to estimate the negative effects of environmental pollution. Plastic ingestion has been observed to stunt the growth of flesh-footed shearwaters, a near-threatened species of seabird, and cause a decline in kidney function.

Plastic ingestion has been observed in almost every species of whale in the ocean. A 2019 beluga whale study found microplastics in the stomach and intestines of every tested whale. Some whales consume plastic directly through filter feeding, while others consume it indirectly through the food chain.

Research has shown that all seven species of sea turtles globally have ingested plastic. A 2018 study found plastic in the digestive system of every sea turtle studied.

Like whales, seabirds accidentally ingest plastic both directly and indirectly. Adult birds also feed plastic to their chicks, threatening their survival. Scientists estimate that 90% of seabirds have ingested plastic. As plastic production continues to grow, some scientists predict that it will be found in the digestive system of 99% of all seabird species by 2050.

Plastic is harmful to human health at every stage of its life cycle. It is found in our food, water, and air. It is estimated that humans may consume approximately one credit card worth of plastic each week.

Plastic in the ocean enters the human food chain

The Impact of Plastic on Marine Life and Ecosystems:

Plastic pollution in the ocean has devastating consequences for marine life and ecosystems. Animals can suffer harm when they come into contact with or ingest plastic items, including suffocation, entanglement, lacerations, infections, and internal injuries. According to a 2017 study by the University of Exeter, hundreds of sea turtles die each year due to entanglement in plastic items like discarded fishing nets or six-pack holders. Additionally, microplastics, which are tiny particles of broken-down plastic, can be ingested by marine animals, leading to health issues and even death.

The Presence of Microplastics in the Food Chain:

Microplastics are consumed by a range of marine animals, including corals, zooplankton, and fish. They accumulate in the bodies of these creatures and can enter the food chain, eventually reaching humans. Research has shown that microplastics can pass through the food web, with coastal animals like beach hoppers ingesting contaminated microplastics and transferring them to gobies, small fish that are a part of the diet of larger predators and seabirds. This contamination poses risks not only to marine life but also to human health.

Human Health Risks:

The toxins present in plastics, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, are dangerous to humans when ingested. These toxins have been found in contaminated fish and can cause various health issues, including developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders. Additionally, toxic contaminants can accumulate on the surface of plastics and be transferred to humans through the consumption of seafood. The presence of microplastics in drinking water, salt, beer, and even the soil where we grow our food further highlights the extent to which plastic pollution has infiltrated our food chain.

Sources of Plastic Pollution:

The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is a result of littering and improper waste disposal. Disposable plastic items like food wrappings, plastic bags, bottles, and razors often end up in waterways and eventually make their way to the ocean. Additionally, about 20% of ocean plastic pollution comes from industrial fishing and improper manufacturing processes. The continuous increase in plastic production and the low recycling rates contribute to the growing problem of plastic pollution in our oceans.

Addressing the Problem:

To mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on the human food chain, it is essential to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas. This can be achieved through improved waste management systems, increased recycling, and reduced usage of disposable packaging and single-use plastics. Individual actions, such as reducing plastic consumption, reusing and recycling plastic items, and supporting organizations working towards ocean conservation, are crucial in tackling this global issue.

Plastic pollution affects marine bacteria, which produce 10% of the oxygen we breathe

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects not only animals but also marine bacteria, which are vital for producing the oxygen we breathe. Prochlorococcus, a species of photosynthetic marine bacteria, is responsible for generating 10% of the oxygen in our atmosphere. However, recent studies have revealed that plastic pollution is negatively impacting the oxygen levels produced by these bacteria.

The research, conducted by scientists from Macquarie University in Australia, found that exposure to chemicals leaking from plastic pollution disrupted the growth, photosynthesis, and oxygen production of Prochlorococcus. This study, published in Communications Biology, highlights the far-reaching consequences of plastic pollution, extending beyond its effects on larger marine organisms.

The implications of this research are profound, as plastic pollution not only endangers marine life but also threatens the health of our planet's life-sustaining systems. With an estimated 5.25 trillion pieces of microplastic floating in the oceans and 8 million tons of plastic dumped annually, the oceans are becoming toxic wastelands.

To address this crisis, it is essential to reduce plastic production and improve waste management. The United Nations is campaigning for countries to curb plastic production and enhance plastic waste management. Additionally, individuals can play a role by reducing their plastic footprint, such as using reusable items instead of disposable plastic and avoiding single-use plastic products.

Plastic pollution is a direct and deadly threat to wildlife, including endangered species

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelming the world's ability to deal with them. Plastic is everywhere and in everything, and it never truly goes away. It breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics, which are spread throughout the water column and have been found in every corner of the globe.

Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife, including endangered species. It is estimated that nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are affected by plastics. Plastic has been found in the digestive systems of almost every species of whale, and in every species of sea turtle. Endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter.

Plastic ingestion can block digestive tracts or pierce internal organs, causing death. It can also choke and starve animals, as the stomachs of those who ingest plastic become so packed with plastic that they lose the urge to eat. In addition, microplastics have been found to pass through the digestive systems of animals and be expelled without consequence. However, scientists have found plastic fragments in hundreds of species, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species.

Plastic pollution also affects the breeding of some species. As microplastics absorb heat, their presence in the nests of loggerhead and green turtles may raise the incubation temperature, skewing the sex ratio towards females.

Furthermore, plastic waste can entangle animals, leading to injury and death. Seals, whales, turtles, and other animals are strangled by abandoned fishing gear or discarded six-pack rings.

The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond marine wildlife, as land-based animals are also affected. There have been many reported cases of land-based mammals, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle, accidentally consuming plastic waste, resulting in unnecessary deaths. Plastic debris can trap and entangle wildlife, preventing them from hunting for food and making them more vulnerable to predators. Additionally, animals can suffer from overheating, suffocation, dehydration, and starvation if they get their heads stuck in plastic food containers.

The presence of microplastics in the environment is a major concern for all life forms. They leech into the soil and water sources from plastic waste in landfills and other environments, affecting terrestrial animals and contaminating the food that both wildlife and humans consume. According to the United Nations, more than 51 trillion microplastic particles have already littered the world's seas, and it is predicted that 99% of marine species will consume microplastics by 2050 if no action is taken.

The impact of plastic pollution on wildlife, including endangered species, is profound and far-reaching. It is essential to address this global crisis and work towards reducing plastic pollution to protect the planet's biodiversity.

Air pollution can harm wildlife by affecting the quality of their environment and food supply

Impact on Environment and Habitat

Air pollution can alter the chemistry and quality of the soil and water in an animal's habitat. For instance, acid rain, a byproduct of air pollution, can make water bodies too acidic for some animals to survive or carry out their normal physiological functions. It can also increase the release of heavy metals like aluminium into water habitats, which is toxic to many aquatic organisms, including fish. Additionally, air pollutants like smog, particulate matter, and ground-level ozone are believed to affect wildlife health, similar to their impact on human health, by harming the lungs and cardiovascular systems.

Impact on Food Supply and Quality

Air pollution affects the availability and quality of food sources for wildlife. Heavy metals, toxic substances, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) enter the food chain and contaminate the supply of food for animals. These pollutants accumulate and are stored within the tissues of animals. As larger animals prey on smaller ones, these pollutants bioaccumulate, increasing in concentration at each trophic level. Top predators, such as bears and eagles, are particularly vulnerable to the bioaccumulation of these air pollutants. For example, mercury, a toxic heavy metal, is of significant concern, and it is recommended to limit the consumption of certain fish species known to contain high levels of mercury.

Moreover, air pollutants can directly poison wildlife by disrupting endocrine function, causing organ injury, increasing vulnerability to diseases, reducing reproductive success, and even leading to death. Changes in the abundance of certain species due to air pollution can have cascading effects on other species in the ecosystem, including humans. Therefore, air pollution not only affects the quality of the environment and habitat for wildlife but also significantly impacts their food supply and, consequently, their overall health and survival.

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