Ocean Trash: A Deadly Threat To Marine Animals

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. Marine animals, such as sea turtles, seals, whales, and seabirds, are adversely affected by the presence of plastic in the ocean. They can become entangled in plastic debris or ingest plastic, mistaking it for food, which can lead to internal injuries, starvation, and death. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animals killed annually due to plastic pollution, estimates suggest that over 1 million marine animals, including sea turtles, perish each year as a direct consequence of plastic pollution in the ocean. This figure is expected to rise as plastic production and pollution continue to increase, underscoring the urgent need to address this global crisis.

Plastic ingestion by marine animals

Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, causing intestinal injuries and death. Plastic ingested by fish can also transfer up the food chain to larger fish, marine mammals, and humans who consume seafood. A study found plastic in the guts of a quarter of fish sold in California markets, mainly in the form of plastic microfibers.

Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion, mistaking floating plastic for food. They can choke, suffer internal injuries, or starve as their stomachs fill with indigestible plastic, leading them to believe they are full. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and plastic pollution on beaches affects their reproduction rates.

Seabirds are also severely affected, with an estimated 60% of all seabird species having eaten plastic. This number is predicted to rise to 99% by 2050. Dead seabirds are often found with stomachs filled with plastic, leading to starvation as plastic reduces the storage volume of their stomachs.

Additionally, plastic ingestion has been observed in marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals. Critically endangered species like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species affected by plastic ingestion and entanglement.

The presence of microplastics, created when larger plastic debris breaks down, further exacerbates the issue. These tiny plastic particles, measuring less than five millimeters, are consumed by fish and invertebrates, potentially transferring toxins up the food chain to larger species and humans.

Animals entangled in plastic

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue, with billions of pounds of plastic accounting for about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. The problem is only growing, with the amount of plastic in the oceans expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. Marine animals are bearing the brunt of this crisis, with thousands of animals dying from ingesting or getting entangled in plastic.

Sea turtles are especially vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution. They mistake plastic bags, balloons, and other floating debris for food, leading to intestinal injuries and death. In some cases, plastic bags have entangled sea turtles, causing them to drown or suffocate. Nearly 1,800 cases of sea turtles entangled in plastic have been recorded in US waters since 2009, and it is estimated that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic.

Marine mammals, such as whales, seals, and dolphins, are also at risk. Whales ingest millions of plastic particles while filter-feeding, and entanglement in fishing nets can cause them to lose fins or tails. Seals and dolphins can become entangled in plastic, reducing their mobility and making them easy targets for predators. In one instance, a northern elephant seal nursing a pup was found with a packing strap around her neck.

Birds are another group affected by plastic entanglement. They can become entangled in plastic ribbons from balloons, which can wrap around their legs or heads. Seabirds also ingest plastic, reducing their stomach capacity and leading to starvation. It is estimated that 60% of seabird species have consumed plastic, and this number is predicted to rise to 99% by 2050.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating and widespread. While some countries are taking steps to reduce plastic consumption and ban single-use plastics, more urgent action is needed to address this global crisis and protect marine animals from the deadly consequences of plastic entanglement and ingestion.

Plastic production emissions

Plastic is a human invention that first appeared in the early 20th century. Since then, plastic production has grown exponentially, with 460 million metric tons produced in 2019 alone. This large-scale production of plastic, which is made from fossil fuels, is greenhouse gas-intensive. The process involves mining or extracting coal, oil, or gas, and then refining and processing these materials through emissions-heavy procedures.

The production of virgin plastic released about 2.24 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere in 2019, accounting for 5-6% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. This is a significant amount, surpassing the emissions from aviation and shipping, which totaled 1.32 billion metric tons in the same year. If the plastic industry continues to grow, it is estimated that plastic production could contribute between 21% and 31% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

The petrochemicals used in plastic production are already poisoning communities near production facilities with cancer-causing pollution. The climate impact of the plastic industry is expected to worsen, with plans for a massive expansion in production. If plastic production and use grow as currently planned, emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030, equivalent to the emissions from more than 295 new 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants.

By 2050, the cumulative greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach over 56 gigatons, accounting for 10-13% of the Earth's remaining carbon budget. This is a significant contribution to global warming and climate change. To put it into perspective, in 2015, 24 ethylene facilities in the United States produced 17.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, emitting as much carbon dioxide as 3.8 million passenger vehicles.

The impact of plastic production emissions extends beyond climate change. Plastic pollution in the oceans has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic entering the world's oceans each year. While it is challenging to determine the exact number, it is estimated that over 1 million marine animals, including sea turtles and birds, die each year due to plastic pollution. They choke, sustain internal injuries, or starve from ingesting plastic, mistaking it for food.

The issue of plastic production emissions and pollution is critical, and addressing it requires urgent action to curb the use of fossil fuels, promote recycling, and regulate plastics as pollutants to protect marine life and the planet.

Plastic in ocean dead zones

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that has captured the attention of environmentalists, scientists, and governments worldwide. The oceans, which cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface, are facing a dual threat from plastic pollution and declining oxygen levels, resulting in the formation of "dead zones." These dead zones, characterized by low or zero oxygen levels, pose a significant risk to marine life, exacerbating the challenges presented by plastic pollution.

The ocean's "dead zones" are vast patches of water that contain little to no oxygen, making it impossible for most marine life to survive. These zones have quadrupled in number since the 1950s, expanding by millions of square kilometers. The decline in ocean oxygen has been identified as one of the most severe consequences of human activities on the Earth's environment. Nutrient loading and climate change are the primary drivers of the increasing number and size of these dead zones. As nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff and sewage combines with warming waters, the oxygen levels in the ocean waters plummet.

Plastic pollution in the ocean further exacerbates the problem. Plastics, being highly durable, persist in the marine environment for extended periods. It is estimated that there are currently 15–51 trillion pieces of plastic in the world's oceans, with plastic debris found everywhere from the equator to the poles and even in Arctic ice sheets. This plastic pollution has a direct and deadly impact on marine life. Thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals die annually from ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it.

The combination of plastic pollution and oxygen-depleted dead zones creates a complex and challenging situation for marine ecosystems. As dead zones expand, marine life is forced to seek alternative habitats, increasing their vulnerability to plastic pollution. Additionally, the ingestion of plastic further weakens marine organisms, making them less capable of surviving in low-oxygen environments. This vicious cycle contributes to the decline in biodiversity and the overall health of marine ecosystems.

Addressing this crisis requires urgent action on multiple fronts. Efforts to reduce plastic waste and improve waste management practices are essential. Implementing measures to tackle climate change and nutrient pollution, such as improving sewage treatment and adopting sustainable agricultural practices, can help mitigate the formation of dead zones. By addressing both plastic pollution and the underlying causes of dead zones, we can work towards preserving the biodiversity and health of our oceans.

Plastic pollution affecting marine plant life

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses severe threats to marine life. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of animals killed annually due to plastic pollution, estimates suggest that over one million marine animals perish each year as a direct result of ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic debris. This figure includes hundreds of thousands of seabirds and sea turtles, as well as seals and other marine mammals. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate deaths, as it also affects the reproduction of species and endangers their long-term survival.

Plastic debris in the ocean comes in various sizes, ranging from macroplastics to microplastics. Macroplastics, such as discarded fishing nets and plastic ropes, can entangle marine mammals, fish, and seabirds, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. On the other hand, microplastics, including microfibers and microplastic particles, are small enough to be mistaken for food by marine organisms. This leads to ingestion, causing intestinal injuries, reduced stomach capacity, and ultimately, starvation.

The ingestion of plastics introduces toxic chemicals into the bodies of marine organisms. These toxins can bioaccumulate through a process known as biomagnification, resulting in higher concentrations of toxins in the fatty tissues of animals higher up in the food chain. This poses a significant threat to apex predators such as orcas and great white sharks, as the toxins can be passed on to their young through breast milk. Additionally, microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, exacerbating the toxicity of the pollutants consumed.

The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond marine animals, as it also affects marine plant life. Microplastics have been detected in molluscs like mussels and oysters, which filter seawater to feed. These pollutants accumulate in their bodies, leading to potential harm. Furthermore, plastic pollution can smother and break coral reefs, hindering their healthy growth and development. The destruction of coral reefs not only disrupts marine habitats but also threatens the survival of various plant and animal species that depend on these ecosystems.

Addressing the root causes of ocean plastic pollution is crucial to mitigating its impact on marine plant life and the broader ecosystem. This includes reducing plastic leakage into the environment, minimizing the toxicity of plastics, and promoting their reuse, repurposing, and recycling. By focusing on prevention and sustainable practices, we can protect marine plant life and ensure the long-term health and balance of marine ecosystems.

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