Bronte Wells
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of animal deaths caused by plastic pollution, it is estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals, including mammals, turtles, and fish, succumb to plastic ingestion or entanglement annually. This figure is likely an underestimate, as it does not account for all species. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond individual animals, disrupting entire ecosystems and affecting microscopic creatures, large predators, and even humans. With over 8 to 10 million tons of plastic entering our oceans each year and millions of marine animals at risk, the magnitude of the problem is evident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution per year | 100,000-100 million |
| Number of sea birds killed by plastic pollution per year | 1 million |
| Number of sea turtles killed by plastic pollution per year | N/A |
| Number of marine mammals killed by plastic pollution per year | 100,000 |
| Number of fish killed by plastic pollution per year | N/A |
| Number of species affected by plastic pollution | 81 out of 123 marine mammal species, all 7 sea turtle species, almost 1,000 in total |
| Percentage of ocean plastic that is single-use | 50% |
| Number of pieces of plastic in the ocean | 5.25 trillion |
| Amount of plastic in the ocean per square mile | 46,000 pieces |
| Amount of plastic created per year | 300 million tons |
| Amount of plastic that enters the ocean per year | 8 million tons |
| Percentage of ocean plastic that floats | 15% |
| Percentage of ocean plastic that lands on beaches | 15% |
| Percentage of ocean plastic that sinks | 70% |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion kills marine animals
Plastic pollution is a growing threat to marine life, with an estimated 8 to 10 million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. Marine animals that rely on eyesight may mistake plastic for a tasty treat, and a floating plastic bag can look deceptively similar to a squid or jellyfish. For species like whales and dolphins, which use echolocation to find their prey, plastic pollution can be even more confusing, as their ancient sonar systems haven't evolved to distinguish plastic from prey.
The consequences of plastic ingestion for marine animals are dire. Ingested plastic can cause internal injuries, intestinal blockage, and starvation. It can also lead to poor nutrition, as the animal feels full and loses the urge to eat, resulting in weight loss and malnutrition. Additionally, sharp or rough plastic debris can cut the digestive system, causing internal bleeding and leaving the animal vulnerable to deadly infections.
Plankton, shellfish, birds, fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles have all been confirmed to ingest plastic debris. The amount and type of plastic ingested depend on the animal's feeding behavior. Passive feeders, such as filter feeders, may unintentionally consume microplastics along with their food. Active feeders, on the other hand, ingest plastic accidentally while feeding and can also consume plastic that their prey has ingested.
Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion. All seven species of sea turtles are known to eat plastic sheeting and bags, which resemble their natural prey, jellyfish. A review by Kühn and van Franeker estimated that 32% of turtles have plastic marine debris in their stomachs. This debris can get stuck in their digestive system, leading to poor nutrition and starvation.
While the exact number is difficult to pinpoint, it is estimated that plastic pollution kills approximately 100,000 marine mammals each year through ingestion or entanglement. This includes not only sea turtles but also whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals. The true extent of the problem may be even greater, as many affected animals may lie at the bottom of the ocean, releasing the plastic back into the environment as they decompose.
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Entanglement in plastic debris
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of animals killed by plastic pollution, estimates suggest that approximately 100,000 marine animals perish each year due to entanglement in plastic or plastic ingestion. This figure represents the tip of the iceberg, as many more animals affected by plastic pollution may sink to the ocean floor before decomposing and releasing the ingested plastic.
Various factors contribute to the entanglement of marine animals in plastic debris. One significant factor is the sheer volume of plastic entering our oceans annually. It is estimated that about 8 to 10 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year, with over 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. This abundance of plastic increases the likelihood of animals becoming entangled.
The type of plastic debris also plays a role in entanglement. For example, packing bands have been identified as the most common material entangling Steller sea lions, an endangered species. Additionally, discarded fishing nets, or "ghost nets," pose a critical threat to marine mammals like dolphins, turtles, sharks, and various fish species. These nets can entangle and drown animals, even those that can move while entangled, as the plastic can tighten and cut into their skin, leading to fatal infections.
The impact of entanglement in plastic debris extends beyond the immediate physical harm to the animals. It can also hinder their movement, impairing their ability to find food, escape predators, or reproduce. This disruption to their natural behaviours and life cycles can have far-reaching consequences for the affected species and the broader marine ecosystem.
Efforts are being made to address the issue of plastic pollution and its impact on marine life. Organisations like the Center for Biological Diversity are petitioning environmental protection agencies to regulate plastics as hazardous pollutants and are working to stop plastic pollution at its source. These initiatives aim to reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans and mitigate the entanglement and harm it causes to marine animals.
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Plastic pollution affects entire ecosystems
Plastic pollution has significant negative consequences on ecosystems and biodiversity. It threatens ecosystems, animal and plant species, impeding their ability to deliver essential services to humanity. For example, healthy mangroves provide coastal protection, while wetlands are important for freshwater provision. Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly affecting millions of people's livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being. The interconnectedness of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems means that plastic pollution in one ecosystem can have cascading effects elsewhere.
The most visible impacts of plastic pollution on species include ingestion, suffocation, and entanglement. Wildlife such as birds, whales, fish, and turtles mistake indigestible plastic waste for food, leading to starvation as their stomachs become filled with plastic. Plastic pollution also causes internal and external injuries, reducing the ability of animals to swim and fly. Floating plastics can transport invasive alien species, contributing to biodiversity loss and species extinction.
Microplastics, ranging in size from five millimeters to one nanometer, have been found in every ecosystem, including the most remote regions of the planet. They can travel via water currents, shifting sediments, airways, and even precipitation, reaching aquatic and marine ecosystems. Microplastics have been found to adversely affect plankton, key indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystems, and microalgae or phytoplankton, unicellular photosynthetic organisms in aquatic ecosystems. Studies have shown that chemicals in microplastics hinder the growth, shape, and photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton, which are consumed by zooplankton, molluscs, small crustaceans, and even baleen and blue whales. These changes can disrupt the entire food chain, hamper nutrient cycling, and lead to bioaccumulation of plastics further up the food chain.
In addition to the direct impacts on species, plastic pollution can seep carcinogenic chemicals into the soil, which can then run into groundwater or rivers, affecting both ecosystems and human health. The production and incineration of plastics also contribute to climate change by releasing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
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Plastic waste is often mistaken for food
Whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals are also susceptible to mistaking plastic waste for food. For example, a sperm whale washed up in Spain with almost 30 kilograms of plastic in its digestive tract. Similarly, a whale in Indonesia had consumed over a thousand plastic pieces, including cups, bags, and bottles, weighing a total of six kilograms. These tragic cases highlight the fatal consequences of plastic pollution on marine wildlife.
Fish are another group of marine animals that often mistake plastic for food. They may confuse small plastic pieces, such as pellets, for fish eggs and bite at floating plastic. Mussels and oysters, which filter seawater to feed, inadvertently take in microplastics and other pollutants. A study of mussels from UK waters found that all samples contained microplastic particles.
The impact of plastic ingestion is not limited to immediate health issues like intestinal blockages and starvation. Plastic can absorb toxins, leading to toxic contamination in animals that ingest them. As plastic moves up the food chain, the concentration of toxins increases, posing a significant threat to apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas. The accumulation of toxins in fatty tissues and breast milk has been observed in orcas, with potential implications for their young.
Plastic waste also poses dangers to land animals, who may accidentally consume it. Elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle have all been victims of plastic ingestion, leading to intestinal blockages, internal bleeding, and even death. For example, a wild elephant in India perished due to plastic ingestion, with plastic blocking its intestines and causing organ failure. This highlights that plastic pollution is not just a marine issue but also a threat to terrestrial wildlife.
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Plastic is toxic and spreads disease
It is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animals that lose their lives due to plastic pollution. However, estimates suggest that plastic pollution kills approximately 100,000 marine mammals annually. This figure includes deaths caused by ingestion of plastic or entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear. It is important to recognize that this number may only represent a fraction of the actual toll, as many more animals affected by plastic pollution could be lying at the ocean's depths, their remains decomposing and releasing plastic back into the environment.
Plastic pollution not only wreaks havoc on marine life but also poses significant risks to human health. The production and widespread use of plastic have introduced numerous toxic chemicals into our environment, with far-reaching consequences. These chemicals, including PBDE, BPA, and DEHP, have been linked to a range of health issues, from respiratory problems to adverse neurological effects, such as stress and anxiety disorders.
One of the critical concerns with plastic is its ability to absorb and release toxins and chemicals. As plastic breaks down into microplastics, it can spread these toxins over long distances, reaching even the most remote places on Earth. These microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, and placenta, indicating that we are inadvertently introducing these toxic substances into our bodies.
The impact of plastic pollution on human health is not limited to direct exposure to toxins. Plastic waste also contributes to environmental degradation, which, in turn, affects human well-being. For instance, plastic pollution in the oceans has led to declining fish stocks and the creation of “dead zones" where marine life can no longer exist. This disruption of marine ecosystems has resulted in job losses in affected communities, highlighting the indirect ways plastic pollution can impact human health and livelihoods.
Additionally, the production and disposal of plastic have localized impacts on human health. Areas near plastic production facilities have reported increased risks for various health issues, including leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, asthma, stroke, premature birth, and stillbirth. Workers in these facilities or construction workers exposed to plastic fibers are at a higher risk of lung problems and reduced lung capacity due to inflammation caused by plastic particles.
To address these health risks, researchers and experts have recommended several measures. These include global limits on plastic production, particularly for problematic plastic items containing toxic chemicals or those that are challenging to recycle. Additionally, individuals can reduce their plastic use by opting for reusable alternatives and avoiding single-use plastic products. By combining policy changes with individual actions, we can collectively work towards mitigating the toxic effects of plastic pollution on both human and animal health.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic pollution every year. This number is likely an underestimate, as it is challenging to determine the exact cause of death of marine animals.
Marine animals can be killed by plastic pollution through ingestion or entanglement. Plastic can block their digestive systems, leading to starvation, or they can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injuries, suffocation, or drowning.
All types of marine animals, including fish, mammals, and sea birds, are affected by plastic pollution. However, some species are more vulnerable than others. Sea turtles, for example, are at high risk of ingesting plastic as they mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, a crucial part of their diet.
It is estimated that about 8 to 10 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, with over 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in the oceans currently.
