Brian Barton
Plastic pollution in the ocean 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 annually, estimates indicate that over 100,000 marine animals, including whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and seabirds, succumb to the detrimental effects of plastic waste in the ocean each year. The primary causes of these tragic deaths are ingestion of plastic and entanglement in plastic debris, particularly abandoned fishing gear, or ghost gear. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate deaths, as many more animals are crippled or suffer from injuries, infections, and toxic contamination due to plastic ingestion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution each year | 100,000 marine animals, including 81 out of 123 marine mammal species and all seven sea turtle species. Other estimates suggest over 1 million marine animals die each year. |
| Marine animals affected by plastic pollution | Whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, sea lions, humpback dolphins, seabirds, seals, Hawaiian monk seals, Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, finches, great white sharks, orcas, and many others. |
| Causes of death | Ingestion of plastic, entanglement in plastic (including "ghost" fishing lines and nets), and toxic contamination. |
| Impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems | Marine animals can suffer injuries, starvation, increased vulnerability to predators, and infections from plastic debris wrapped around their bodies. Plastic pollution also affects the reproduction of some species. |
| Sources of plastic pollution | Takeout food packaging, abandoned fishing gear ("ghost" gear), single-use plastics, and microplastics. |
| Efforts to reduce plastic pollution | Bans on single-use plastics, campaigns to regulate plastics as a pollutant, lawsuits against companies that contribute to plastic pollution, and grassroots resistance to new plastic production plants. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Abandoned fishing gear and 'ghost nets'
Marine debris in the ocean is made up of 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, with an estimated 10% of this debris being discarded fishing gear. This equates to between 500,000 and 1 million tons of fishing gear discarded in the ocean every year. This abandoned fishing gear, also known as 'ghost gear', is the deadliest form of marine plastic. It is responsible for harming 66% of marine mammal species, half of seabird species, and all species of sea turtles.
Ghost gear includes any fishing gear that has been abandoned, lost, or discarded. Nets, in particular, are a major problem, as they can hang vertically and travel thousands of miles, entangling marine animals and continuing to do so even when dormant on the seafloor. A study using data from the US estimated that 4,500 recovered ghost nets had killed 2,500,000 marine invertebrates, 800,000 fish, and 20,000 marine birds.
Fishing gear gets lost or discarded in several ways. It can get entangled on reefs, rocks, and other obstructions, conflict with vessels or other fishing gear, or be lost due to bad weather. It may also be lost due to extended soak times (the time that equipment is submerged during fishing), fishing in deep habitats, or deploying excessive gear that cannot be hauled in regularly.
The impact of ghost gear on marine life is devastating. It can result in the slow and painful death of marine animals through exhaustion and suffocation. It also damages vital marine habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves and threatens the food sources and livelihoods of coastal communities and fishers.
The problem of ghost gear in the ocean is a global issue that requires coordinated action. Efforts to address this issue include removing abandoned nets from the water, establishing gear collection and recycling programs, developing tools to better track and recover gear, and advocating for binding global treaties on plastic pollution.
Ozone Pollution: Human Activities and Their Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Microplastics in the food chain
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue, with an estimated 100,000 marine animals killed annually due to plastic ingestion or entanglement. This number is likely a conservative estimate, as many deaths may go unrecorded. The production of plastic has increased significantly since its inception in the early 20th century, with 9.5 billion metric tons produced between 1950 and 2019, of which 7 billion metric tons have become waste.
Microplastics, plastic particles under five millimetres in length, have been detected in the human and animal food chain. They are found in the land, sea, air, water sources, and various foodstuffs, including seafood, honey, tea, sugar, fruits, and vegetables. Microplastics enter the food chain through the ingestion of contaminated food and water by marine and terrestrial organisms, which can then be consumed by humans.
The health risks associated with microplastics are a growing concern. While the full extent of their impact is not yet known, studies indicate potential adverse effects on both human and animal health. Microplastics have been found to accumulate in human organs, including the brain, blood, lungs, liver, and joints. In animals, microplastics can cause gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, reproductive issues, and even death.
The sources of microplastics in the food chain are diverse. Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured small plastic particles, such as microbeads in cosmetics and plastic pellets in industrial manufacturing. Secondary microplastics form from the breakdown of larger plastic items through environmental exposure and weathering. Microfibers from synthetic clothing shed during washing also contribute significantly to microplastic pollution.
The widespread presence of microplastics in the food chain highlights the need for urgent action. With pollution ranked as a top global threat, addressing this issue requires collaboration between businesses, governments, and civil society to implement solutions and regulations that ensure food safety and control plastic use.
Reducing Outdoor Pollution: Strategies for Cleaner Air
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic ingestion by seabirds
Marine animals, including seabirds, are facing a grave threat from the ever-growing plastic pollution in the oceans. It is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animals that succumb to plastic pollution each year, as many cases likely go unrecorded. However, estimates suggest that over 1 million marine animals perish annually due to plastic pollution, with many more suffering debilitating injuries.
Seabirds, in particular, are highly susceptible to plastic ingestion due to their feeding habits. They often mistake plastic debris for prey or consume contaminated fish and shellfish. The problem has escalated rapidly; in the 1960s, less than 5% of seabirds had plastic in their stomachs, but by the 1980s, this figure had soared to over 80%. It is projected that by 2050, nearly all seabird species (99%) will be ingesting plastic.
The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for seabirds. It reduces stomach volume, leading to starvation. It also affects kidney function, resulting in higher uric acid concentrations and adverse effects on cholesterol and enzymes. Additionally, plastic ingestion can cause inflammation and expose seabirds to various toxins, causing immense suffering.
The impact of plastic pollution on seabird colonies is devastating. At Midway Atoll, one of the world's largest albatross colonies located in the Hawaiian archipelago, approximately one-third of albatross chicks die annually from ingesting plastic brought by adult birds. The chicks cannot regurgitate the plastic pieces and often succumb as a result.
The issue of plastic ingestion by seabirds is not limited to remote locations like Midway Atoll. It is pervasive, affecting seabird populations globally. With the constant influx of plastic pollution into our oceans, the survival and livelihood of seabirds are at stake. Urgent measures are needed to address this crisis and mitigate the harmful effects of plastic on these vulnerable creatures.
Tires' Pollution Impact: A Silent Environmental Hazard
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic production and transport emissions
The plastic that ends up in our oceans is a significant contributor to the deaths of marine animals. However, the impact of plastic pollution on marine life is not limited to ingestion or entanglement. The emissions associated with plastic production and transportation also have indirect but detrimental effects on marine ecosystems.
Plastic is a relatively new invention, becoming prevalent in the early 20th century. Since then, plastic production has skyrocketed, with 9.5 billion metric tons of plastic produced between 1950 and 2019. This exponential growth has had a corresponding impact on emissions. The production and incineration of plastic contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, these processes added over 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, equivalent to the emissions from 189 five-hundred-megawatt coal power plants.
The extraction and transportation of fossil fuels, the feedstock for plastic production, are particularly carbon-intensive activities. In the United States, emissions from extracting and transporting fossil fuels for plastic production were estimated at 9.5-10.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year in 2015. Land disturbance, such as clearing forests and fields for pipelines and well pads, further exacerbates emissions associated with fossil fuel extraction.
The refining and manufacture of plastic are also emissions-intensive processes. Plastic refining is one of the most greenhouse-gas-intensive industries in the manufacturing sector. The various chemical refining processes, such as cracking alkanes into olefins and polymerization, result in significant emissions. Globally, emissions from the cracking process to produce ethylene were estimated at 184.3-213 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2015.
The life-cycle emissions of plastics, including production, disposal, and transportation, were estimated at 1.8 billion tons by the OECD. Most of these emissions come from the production stage, primarily in the form of carbon dioxide. While emissions from the end-of-life stage of plastics tend to be smaller, it is important to note that plastic in our oceans continues to release methane and other greenhouse gases as it breaks down. This contributes to climate change and may interfere with the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
As plastic production and use continue to grow, emissions are projected to increase significantly. By 2030, emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year, and by 2050, the cumulative greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could exceed 56 gigatons. These emissions have indirect but detrimental effects on marine life, contributing to climate change and ocean warming.
Light Pollution's Impact: Global Warming's Dark Side
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic's durability and accumulation in oceans
Plastic pollution in the oceans is a pressing environmental issue that poses significant risks to marine life and ecosystems. The durability and accumulation of plastics in marine environments have severe consequences for marine animals, contributing to their deaths and the degradation of their habitats.
Plastics are highly durable and can persist in the environment for extended periods. Their longevity is attributed to their chemical composition, as they are derived from fossil fuels. The production of plastics has exponentially increased since their inception in the early 20th century. While plastic has revolutionized various aspects of human life, its improper disposal and accumulation in oceans have become a global crisis.
The accumulation of plastics in oceans occurs through various pathways. Most plastic waste enters the ocean from land, flowing downstream through rivers and eventually reaching the sea. Once in the ocean, plastics can be transported by ocean currents, known as gyres, to different parts of the world. Plastics tend to group together in garbage patches, particularly in the center of gyres, forming vast areas of plastic accumulation. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California, is one of the most well-known examples.
The durability of plastics contributes to their persistence in the marine environment. It can take hundreds of years for plastics to degrade, and even then, they may not fully break down. Macroplastics from several decades ago remain present in offshore environments, and microplastics, which comprise three-quarters of offshore plastics, are mostly from the 1990s or earlier. This accumulation of older plastics suggests that it takes a considerable amount of time for them to break down.
The "missing plastic problem" refers to the discrepancy between the amount of plastic waste released into the ocean and the much smaller quantity found in surface waters. One hypothesis suggests that the problem may arise from imprecise measurements, either overestimating the amount of plastic waste released or underestimating the amount floating in the surface ocean. Another possibility is that a significant portion of plastic waste accumulates around the edges of the oceans, buried or washed along shorelines, rather than in the center of gyres.
The accumulation of plastics in oceans has devastating effects on marine life. Marine animals, such as sea turtles, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and various marine mammals, ingest plastic or become entangled in it, leading to injuries, starvation, and death. Additionally, plastics can transport invasive species, further threatening marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Microplastics have also become part of the food chain, being consumed by marine organisms and ultimately entering the human food supply.
Persistent Pollutants: Are They Stable in Our Environment?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is hard to know the exact number, but it is estimated that more than 100,000 marine mammals die from plastic pollution every year.
Marine animals can die from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Plastic can cause intestinal injuries and starvation, and it can also cut into the skin, leading to deadly infections.
Seabirds, sea turtles, seals, whales, sharks, dolphins, and other marine mammals are among the nearly 700 species affected by plastic pollution.
A juvenile sperm whale died after ingesting nearly 30 kilograms of plastic, and three dolphins were found entangled in ghost nets.
Reducing plastic waste, improving waste management, banning single-use plastics, and increasing education and awareness about this issue can help reduce the impact of plastic pollution on marine life.
