Plastic Pollution: Killing Millions Of Animals Yearly

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects all life on Earth. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of animal deaths caused by plastic pollution annually, estimates range from hundreds of thousands to millions of marine animals perishing due to ingestion or entanglement in plastic waste. This includes seabirds, fish, whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, sea turtles, and more. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond marine life, as land animals such as deer, camels, and elephants have also succumbed to plastic ingestion. With plastic production reaching billions of tons and an estimated 8 to 10 million tons entering the oceans each year, the magnitude of plastic pollution and its deadly consequences for wildlife cannot be overstated.

Marine animals die from ingesting plastic

Marine animals are facing a grave threat from plastic pollution, with ingestion being a primary cause of death. It is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution each year, but estimates range from 100,000 to millions of marine animals dying annually. This crisis is affecting at least 700 marine species, with plastic ingestion causing internal injuries and deaths, and transferring plastic up the food chain to bigger fish, marine mammals, and even human seafood eaters.

Fish, in particular, are at high risk of ingesting plastic. A study by the University of Exeter UK found that microscopic marine debris takes up to six times longer for fish to expel compared to oral ingestion. This is concerning given that fish are commonly consumed by humans, with studies indicating that fish have ingested plastic microfibers, including brown trout, cisco, and perch. Furthermore, a 2018 report revealed that over half of the fish stocks had ingested plastic, impairing their ability to obtain adequate nutrition and introducing toxic substances into their bodies.

Whales, one of the ocean's gentle giants, have also fallen victim to plastic ingestion. In 2018, a juvenile sperm whale stranded on a Spanish beach died from inflammation caused by nearly 30 kilograms of indigestible plastic in its gut. This tragic incident is not an isolated case, as whales often mistake marine debris for potential food sources. Their large mouths unknowingly scoop up plastic debris, as observed in baleen whales.

Sea turtles are another victim of plastic pollution, with declining populations partly attributed to plastic ingestion. Studies from 2013 suggest that up to 50% of sea turtles are ingesting plastic, leading to blockages in their digestive systems. Another study found that 15% of young Loggerhead turtles examined had ingested significant amounts of plastic, obstructing their digestive tracts. Sea turtles can also choke on plastic, sustain internal injuries, or starve by feeling full after eating plastic.

Marine birds are not exempt from this crisis, with plastic ingestion causing obstructions in their digestive tracts and leading to death. The Laysan albatross, for example, has been deeply impacted, with 98% of studied birds found to have ingested plastic. Seabirds, including albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters, face a higher risk of death from ingesting plastic due to the blocking of their intestinal tracts.

In conclusion, plastic ingestion is a critical issue for marine animals, causing internal injuries, obstructions, and deaths. The crisis extends across various species, including fish, whales, sea turtles, and marine birds, with the problem likely far exceeding what we currently observe. Addressing this issue requires urgent collective action to protect the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the diverse array of life they sustain.

Animals get entangled in plastic and die

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects animals in a multitude of ways. One of the most devastating consequences is the entanglement of animals in plastic waste, which often leads to their death. This problem is prevalent in both marine and terrestrial environments, causing suffering and mortality among a wide range of species.

In the oceans, marine animals are particularly vulnerable to entanglement. Endangered marine mammals and sea turtles frequently become entangled in plastic waste, such as plastic bags, fishing lines, and nets. These entangled animals suffer severe injuries, strangulation, and drowning. The plastic restricts their movement, causing them to choke or starve. It can also lead to infections, growths, and amputation of limbs. Marine animals that are trapped in plastic struggle to find food and become easy prey for predators.

One of the most affected groups is sea turtles. They often mistake plastic bags for food, leading to fatal consequences. In one tragic case, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle drowned after a plastic bag filled with sand wrapped around its neck. Another disturbing incident involved a baby sea turtle stuck in plastic on a beach in Florida. Additionally, over 800 sea turtles were documented in a report by the ocean conservation group Oceana, highlighting the severity of the issue for this species.

Large marine mammals, such as whales, also fall victim to plastic entanglement. A distressing example is the case of a sperm whale that washed up on a beach in Spain in 2018, with nearly 30 kilograms of plastic in its digestive tract. The plastic caused inflammation and exposed the whale to various toxins, leading to its demise. Another incident involved a sei whale that died after swallowing a DVD case, causing fatal stomach lacerations.

Birds are another group that suffers from plastic entanglement. They can become entangled in plastic ribbons from balloons, which wrap around their legs or necks. This restricts their movement and can lead to fatal consequences. Additionally, birds that feed on the ocean surface or dive for food can mistake plastic for prey, ingesting it and causing internal injuries or blockage in their intestinal tracts.

While the exact number of animal deaths due to plastic entanglement is challenging to determine, it is estimated that approximately 100,000 marine animals perish from entanglement each year. This figure is likely an underestimate as many cases go unseen or occur in the vast depths of the ocean. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond marine life, with land animals such as deer, camels, and elephants also suffering fatal consequences from ingesting plastic.

Seabirds are particularly affected by plastic pollution

Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. They are widely observed to ingest floating plastic, which is often mistaken for prey. Birds are susceptible to their external environments, and their biology puts them at risk. For example, the Flesh-Footed Shearwater, a species of seabird, has been found with severe stomach scarring from ingesting plastic. This species also suffers from altered blood chemistry due to plastic ingestion.

A 2016 projection suggests that marine plastic could outweigh all the ocean's fish within decades if production and accumulation continue at the same rate. This is a significant concern for seabirds, as plastic pollution is already widespread and increasing. Plastic concentrations in the ocean can reach 580,000 pieces per km2, and plastic debris is often similar in size and appearance to tiny marine organisms, such as zooplankton. Seabirds that feed on these organisms are at high risk of ingesting contaminated prey.

The impact of plastic ingestion on seabirds can be devastating. Hard plastics, such as microplastics and pellets, are particularly harmful and can block seabird intestinal tracts. Even if the plastic is removed, the deep cuts it makes in the flesh can become infected or attract predators.

Some seabird species are more vulnerable to plastic pollution than others. For example, the Barau's Petrel, an endangered species, was found to have the highest plastic exposure among nine species breeding on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. The Cook's Petrel is another example, with one breeding population highly exposed to plastic during its migration route.

The southern boundary of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, considered a relatively pristine region, is predicted to be greatly impacted by plastic pollution. This region is a foraging ground for many threatened seabird species, and the widespread presence of plastic pollution poses a significant risk to their health and survival.

Land animals also suffer from plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue that affects all wildlife, including land animals. Land animals suffer from plastic pollution in multiple ways, including ingestion, entanglement, and habitat degradation.

Ingestion of Plastic

Land animals, just like their marine counterparts, often mistake plastic for food, leading to fatal consequences. For example, a Japanese Nara Park deer was found dead with 4.3 kilograms of plastic in its stomach, and similar cases have been reported in the UK. Arabian camels also fall victim to plastic ingestion, with half of them dying annually from consuming plastic bags. Elephants, both in India and Africa, have also perished from eating plastic shopping and bread bags. These tragic incidents highlight how plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the lives of land animals.

Additionally, microplastics have been found to contaminate the food we grow and the wildlife that consumes it. According to Greenpeace, fruits like apples and pears contain a significant number of microplastic particles. This contamination extends to vegetables as well. As a result, land animals that feed on these crops inadvertently ingest microplastics, which can have detrimental effects on their health.

Entanglement and Trapping

Plastics such as nets, ropes, and rings used in holding beverages can be fatal to land animals. They trap and restrict the movement of animals, leading to death or severe injuries. Birds, in particular, are susceptible to entanglement, as plastic pollution affects their ability to fly and survive.

Habitat Degradation

Plastic pollution also degrades the habitats of land animals. Microplastics leech into the soil and nearby water sources from plastic waste in landfills and other environments. This pollution has led to a decrease in species that live below the surface, such as mites, larvae, and other tiny creatures. The decline in these species negatively impacts soil fertility and the overall health of the ecosystem.

Furthermore, chlorinated plastic, such as plastic food packaging and medical devices, can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil and groundwater. This contamination affects the health of land animals and disrupts the delicate balance of their ecosystems.

The impact of plastic pollution on land animals is extensive and often unforeseen. It is crucial to address this issue urgently and take collective action to protect the diverse array of land animals affected by plastic pollution.

Abandoned fishing gear is a major cause of cetacean deaths

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects all living things on our planet, with particularly detrimental effects on wildlife. It is estimated that around 100,000 marine animals die from plastic ingestion or entanglement each year, and this is likely an underestimate. Marine animals that rely on eyesight may mistake plastic for prey, and even those that use echolocation, like dolphins and whales, can be confused by the presence of plastic in the ocean.

One of the primary sources of plastic pollution is abandoned fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear." This includes nets, fishing lines, and other lost or discarded equipment that choke and entrap marine animals. A single lost fishing net can be enormous, the size of a football field, and can trap a range of marine creatures, from large whales to small seal pups.

Cetaceans, in particular, are highly vulnerable to the dangers of abandoned fishing gear. It is estimated that 300,000 cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins, die each year due to entanglement in abandoned gear. Once ensnared, these animals may suffocate, suffer injuries, or be unable to access essential resources. The impact of ghost gear on cetaceans is not limited to entanglement, as the gear can also break down into microplastics, which are ingested by marine life, causing further harm.

The vaquita porpoise, found only in Mexico's Gulf of California, is a species that has been critically endangered by ghost gear. Illegal and abandoned gillnets used to catch the totoaba fish, a critically endangered species, have entangled and drowned vaquitas, driving them to the brink of extinction.

The issue of abandoned fishing gear extends beyond the direct harm caused to cetaceans and other marine life. Ghost gear can damage vital marine habitats, such as coral reefs, mangroves, and the habitats of sessile animals. It also poses a threat to the food sources and livelihoods of coastal communities and fishers.

Addressing the problem of abandoned fishing gear is crucial in mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on cetaceans and other marine species. Initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative aim to unite various stakeholders, including governments, the fishing industry, and NGOs, to prevent, mitigate, and remove ghost gear from our oceans.

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