Helena Joyce
Marine pollution is a critical environmental issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. The amount of plastic waste in the ocean is rapidly increasing, and it is wreaking havoc on marine animals, killing or crippling them. While it is challenging to estimate the exact number of marine animals that die from plastic pollution, studies suggest that at least 100,000 marine animals die each year from ingestion or entanglement in plastic. This figure is likely an underestimate, and the true impact of plastic pollution on marine life is far more extensive.
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What You'll Learn
Ingestion of plastic bags that resemble jellyfish
Marine animals, such as sea turtles, often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their natural prey. This is due to the visual similarities between floating plastic bags and jellyfish. The semi-opaque white plastic bags, in particular, bear a striking resemblance to jellyfish when floating in the water. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastic bags can also smell like food to sea turtles.
Sea turtles are highly susceptible to confusing plastic bags with jellyfish, one of their primary food sources. Sea turtles, including the endangered loggerhead species, use their sense of sight to locate and track jellyfish in the open ocean. However, when plastic bags find their way into the ocean, sea turtles can easily mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.
When sea turtles ingest plastic, it can cause intestinal blockages, leading to starvation and, in some cases, death. Additionally, sharp plastics can rupture their internal organs. Even if they survive ingestion, consuming plastic can negatively impact their growth, buoyancy, and reproduction rates.
The ingestion of plastic by wildlife was first observed in 1966 when researchers found plastic container lids and toys in dead Laysan albatross chicks. A review by Kühn and van Franeker found that over 700 species, including seabirds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals, have been confirmed to eat plastic. This number will likely increase over time as wildlife continues to encounter human trash.
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue that has far-reaching impacts on marine animals. While it is challenging to estimate accurately, scientists have found that the number of animals affected by plastic pollution is vast. A study by the World Wildlife Fund estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year. This number is likely an underestimate, and more research is needed to determine the full extent of the problem.
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Entanglement in plastic, including abandoned fishing gear
Abandoned fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear", is a major cause of entanglement in plastic for marine animals. It is estimated that between 500,000 and 1 million tons of fishing gear are discarded or lost in the ocean every year, making up about 46% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This abandoned gear includes nets, lines, and ropes, which can entangle and kill marine animals.
Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in plastic, including abandoned fishing gear. Smaller animals, like sea turtles, seals, and dolphins, may drown immediately if entangled in large or heavy gear. Larger whales may not drown but face risks from exhaustion and infection. Entanglement can also cause physical trauma and infections from the gear cutting into the flesh of entangled animals.
The exact number of animals that die from entanglement in plastic, including abandoned fishing gear, is unknown, but it is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands each year. A single abandoned net is estimated to kill an average of 500,000 marine invertebrates, 1,700 fish, and four seabirds. In addition, a recent study found that nearly 50% of ocean plastics come from takeaways, with a higher proportion in lower-income countries.
Efforts are being made to address the issue of abandoned fishing gear and entanglement. Organizations like the WWF are working with fishers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to remove abandoned nets, establish gear collection and recycling programs, and develop tools for better tracking and recovery of gear. The Ocean Conservancy has also recognized ghost gear as the single most harmful form of marine debris and is urging UN member states to address it in negotiations on plastics.
The general public also has a role to play in reducing entanglement in plastic. Education and awareness about the issue are crucial, and individuals can make incremental changes, such as reducing plastic waste and supporting anti-plastic campaigns, to collectively make a significant impact.
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Inhalation of toxic microplastics
Marine animals are facing an escalating crisis due to plastic pollution in the oceans. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution, estimates suggest that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution annually. This number is likely an underestimate, as it only accounts for a limited number of species. The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is significant and growing, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering the ocean each year.
Microplastics, small plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter, are a critical component of this pollution crisis. These particles are found in water, air, soil, and various living organisms, including marine animals and humans. The toxic effects of microplastics on fish have been well-documented, with studies reporting tissue damage, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, growth retardation, and behavioural abnormalities. For example, microplastics have been found to cause neurotoxicity, oxidative damage, and energy-related changes in the European seabass.
The impact of inhaled microplastics on marine animals is an area of ongoing research. While the specific mechanisms and health consequences are not yet fully understood, there are concerns about the potential toxicity of these particles. Microplastics have been associated with chemicals from manufacturing and the surrounding environment, raising concerns about physical and chemical toxicity. The ubiquitous presence of microplastics in the environment and the food chain makes it challenging to avoid exposure, and the accumulation of these particles in the bodies of living organisms can have unknown long-term effects.
Addressing the issue of microplastics in the ocean requires a multifaceted approach. Reducing plastic waste, improving recycling rates, and supporting initiatives to protect marine life and preserve ecosystems are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on marine animals. Additionally, further research is needed to fully understand the health risks associated with inhaled microplastics and to develop effective strategies for minimizing microplastic contamination.
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Plastic waste entering food chains
Plastic waste is a critical environmental issue that is rapidly growing in magnitude. Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, threatening marine life. Plastic waste can enter the food chain in several ways, including through ingestion and entanglement.
Marine animals can mistake plastic waste for food. For example, plastic bags can resemble jellyfish, the favourite food of sea turtles. Seals and marine mammals may confuse plastic bags filled with water for their prey, such as squid. Some whale species, like the sperm whale, can ingest large amounts of plastic, leading to fatal inflammation of their abdominal tissues. This was the tragic fate of a sperm whale stranded on a Spanish beach, whose gut contained nearly 30 kilograms of plastic, including shopping bags and fishing nets.
Even species that do not rely on sight to identify prey are at risk. Toothed whales and some dolphin species use echolocation to find their prey. Scientists believe that unnatural objects like plastic waste can confuse this sonar, leading these animals to mistakenly interpret plastic as food. This may have been the case for a pregnant pygmy sperm whale found stranded near Melbourne, with a stomach full of ingested plastic.
Plastic waste also endangers marine life through entanglement. Abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost equipment," accounts for a significant portion of plastic pollution in the oceans. This gear can entangle marine animals, causing injuries or preventing them from moving freely, leading to fatal infections. Rare species like the humpback dolphin, found only in waters around Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with marine debris tightly wrapped around their bodies.
Microplastics, small plastic pieces less than 5 mm long, also contribute to environmental and food chain contamination. They can escape water filtration systems and enter oceans or other water bodies. Microplastics can serve as carriers for toxic chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals, and pathogenic bacteria. These contaminated microplastics can be ingested by marine organisms, transferring these harmful substances into the food chain.
The presence of microplastics in the human food chain is a growing concern. They can enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Microplastics have been detected in various foods, including seafood, chicken, milk, vinegar, salt, and even beverages like wine and soft drinks. The potential accumulation of microplastics in the food chain poses adverse effects on human health, similar to other chemical contaminants.
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Plastic pollution in the Arctic
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue that continues to grow in magnitude. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean, and it has become a significant threat to marine life. Even remote areas like the Arctic are affected by plastic pollution. Plastic debris and microplastics are now pervasive in the Arctic, infiltrating terrestrial and aquatic systems, the cryosphere, and the atmosphere. The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution due to the challenges associated with waste management in the region. Expensive infrastructure and transportation, poor economies of scale, and complex socioeconomic issues make it difficult to implement conventional waste management solutions.
The sources of plastic pollution in the Arctic are both local and distant. Local sources include fisheries, landfills, wastewater, and offshore industrial activity. Distant sources contribute significantly as well, with plastic transported to the Arctic by ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers. Once in the Arctic, plastic pollution accumulates in certain areas, affecting local ecosystems. Large pieces of waste, such as abandoned fishing nets, can entangle marine mammals and even terrestrial mammals like reindeer when they wash up on the coast. Floating plastic can also act as a raft for invasive species, facilitating their spread.
As plastic degrades into smaller pieces, it is ingested by animals, including seabirds that mistake plastic for food. This can lead to internal injuries, blockage of the digestive tract, and the transfer of toxic chemicals to the animal. Plastic pollution also affects the Arctic food web, with endemic species ingesting microplastics, although the full extent of the impact is not yet known.
Addressing plastic pollution in the Arctic requires coordinated efforts at all levels of society. The Arctic Council is leading several projects to address plastic pollution and marine litter in the region, including monitoring the impact on seabirds and developing regional action plans to reduce litter's negative impact on the ecosystem. Preventing plastic waste in the first place is crucial to protecting the fragile Arctic environment.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals die from plastic pollution every year.
Marine animals can either get entangled in plastic debris or mistakenly ingest it thinking it is food. The toxins in the ingested plastic can lead to intestinal injury and death. It can also cause starvation by reducing the storage volume of the stomach.
The most affected animals include sea turtles, seals, seabirds, fish, whales, and dolphins. Turtles are particularly vulnerable as they mistake floating plastic garbage for food such as jellyfish.
Natural ecosystems are cyclical, with plants and animals growing, dying, and becoming food for the next generation. However, plastic does not degrade and remains in the ecosystem. It breaks down into smaller pieces over time, making it difficult to retrieve from the ocean. These microplastics are then ingested by marine animals and can accumulate in their bodies.
It is important to reduce and eliminate plastic pollution to preserve marine wildlife. Individuals can make an impact by picking up litter, joining cleanup events, and advocating for plastic regulation to their local representatives.
