Water Pollution: Killing Millions Of Animals Yearly

Water pollution is one of the most severe environmental issues, and it is estimated that 100 million animals die each year as a result. Marine animals are crippled by plastic waste, which they can become entangled in or ingest, mistaking it for prey. Plastic waste also damages coral reefs, which are home to 25% of all marine life. Noise pollution from naval sonar manoeuvres causes strandings of whales and dolphins, and agricultural runoff results in algal blooms that feed coral-killing starfish. Water pollution is a pressing issue that requires urgent action to prevent further harm to marine ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.

Plastic ingestion and entanglement kill 100,000 marine animals annually

Water pollution is one of the most severe environmental issues, and it is estimated that 100 million animals die each year due to water pollution. Out of these, 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic ingestion or entanglement annually. This includes whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and many other species.

Plastic ingestion is one of the two main ways plastic pollution is fatal to marine animals. Marine animals may mistake plastic for prey, as plastic bags filled with water can resemble squid or other prey. Even species that do not rely on sight to identify prey are at risk. Toothed whales and many dolphin species use echolocation to find their prey, and some scientists believe that unnatural objects such as plastic waste confuse this sonar, causing them to mistakenly interpret plastic as food.

Entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear is the other leading cause of plastic-related deaths in marine animals. Abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost fishing equipment," accounts for an estimated 640,000 tonnes of the 8 million tonnes of plastic that enters the oceans annually. This gear, which is either deliberately discarded or washed off ships or shorelines, ensnares marine creatures, often resulting in drowning. The impact of entanglement is not limited to mammals, as evidenced by the recovery of ghost nets containing skeletons of dolphins, dolphinfish, turtles, blacktip reef sharks, and numerous reef fish.

The problem of plastic pollution in the oceans is a global issue, with plastic waste found in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Australia. Individual actions, such as recycling, refusing single-use plastics, and participating in beach cleanups, are important in addressing this issue. However, it is crucial to recognize that the problem also exists at a structural level, and supporting responsible companies is essential for driving systemic change.

Plastic pollution affects over 1,000 marine species

Water pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, and plastic pollution is a significant contributor to the deaths of marine animals. It is estimated that 100 million animals die each year due to water pollution, with over 1,000 species of marine animals affected by ocean contamination. These are rough estimates, and the true number of animals killed by plastic pollution is challenging to determine.

Plastic pollution in the oceans has increased rapidly over the last 40 years, with single-use plastics becoming a new threat to marine life. The leading causes of water pollution are point and non-point sources. Point-source pollution refers to emissions from a single source, such as factories, while non-point sources originate from multiple sources.

Plastic affects marine species in various ways, including ingestion, entanglement, injury, and toxic contamination. Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and seals, are vulnerable to ingesting plastic or getting entangled in abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost gear." This gear makes up a significant portion of the plastic in the oceans, endangering marine creatures who cannot escape and often leading to drowning, starvation, or injury.

Smaller plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds, fish, and sea turtles, causing suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. A recent study found that all seven species of sea turtles from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea had traces of microplastics in their guts. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish or fishing nets for seaweed, leading to internal injuries and starvation.

Plastic pollution also impacts coral reefs, with discarded fishing nets smothering and damaging the coral, increasing the risk of diseases. A study of 338 corals exposed to plastic waste found that 69% were physically damaged, and 62% had fresh tissue loss.

The effects of plastic pollution on marine life are devastating, and it is crucial to address this issue through reduced plastic use, responsible disposal, and supporting organizations working towards ending plastic pollution.

Noise pollution causes strandings of whales and dolphins

It is estimated that 100 million animals die each year due to water pollution. Marine animals are killed through ingestion of plastic or entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear. Noise pollution is a significant contributor to water pollution, and it is having a devastating impact on whales and dolphins.

Whales and dolphins are highly dependent on sound for their survival. They rely on sound to communicate, locate mates and prey, avoid predators, navigate, and defend their territories. Sound travels more effectively through water than air, as water molecules are clustered more tightly together. This means that sound can be transmitted extremely well underwater. As a result, many marine species have evolved to depend on sound as an important sensory signal.

Noise pollution interferes with the acoustic world that marine organisms rely on. It can cause changes in behaviour, metabolism, and population recruitment, which can affect the health and service functions of marine ecosystems. For example, increased ship noise has caused bottlenose dolphins to simplify their vocal calls, reducing the information content of their calls and decreasing their effective communication.

Noise pollution can also cause immediate damage, such as hearing loss, and in some cases, even death. While larger animals are not killed directly by sound waves, anti-submarine sonar has been linked to whale deaths caused by strandings and decompression sickness, which is caused by the animals surfacing too quickly. Naval sonar devices are the loudest source of underwater noise, reaching volumes of more than 200 decibels, while seismic air guns can reach up to 250 decibels. At this level, the force of the vibrations is enough to kill zooplankton, and there is evidence that it could also lead to a surge in mass strandings of whales and dolphins.

Water-related diseases from contaminated water are fatal for humans

Water pollution is one of the most severe environmental issues, and it affects not just marine life but also humans. It is estimated that 100 million animals die each year due to water pollution. Marine animals are killed by plastic pollution, ocean littering, and coral bleaching. Plastic waste in the ocean is a significant issue, with over eight million metric tons of plastic produced since the 1950s, and it is estimated that 100,000 marine mammals are killed by plastic pollution annually. Plastic pollution also puts coral at risk of disease, such as "white syndrome," which has killed 95% of Acropora coral in the Florida Reef. Noise pollution from naval sonar maneuvers can cause strandings of whales and dolphins and lead to vascular damage to their brains and other organs.

Water-related diseases from contaminated water sources are a significant health risk for humans. Unsafe drinking water can transmit diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, and polio, causing approximately 505,000 deaths each year. In 2021, over 251.4 million people required preventative treatment for schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms contracted through exposure to infested water. Dengue fever is another example of a water-related disease transmitted by insects that breed in water.

Waterborne diseases are a significant problem, particularly in developing countries and marginalized communities with limited access to safe water and sanitation. In these areas, inadequate water and sanitation services expose individuals to preventable health risks, such as cholera, which can spread rapidly and be fatal within days or even hours.

To address these issues, it is crucial to improve water resource management and sanitation practices. The World Health Organization (WHO) leads global efforts to prevent water-related diseases and advises governments on developing health-based targets and regulations. Additionally, individuals can take simple actions, such as proper handwashing, covering water storage containers, and reducing plastic waste, to prevent the spread of water-related diseases and protect both human and environmental health.

Microplastics are responsible for countless animal deaths

Water pollution is responsible for the deaths of approximately 100 million animals each year, with plastic pollution being a significant contributor. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of animal deaths caused by plastic pollution, estimates range from one hundred thousand to several million.

Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5mm in diameter, are a significant contributor to plastic pollution and have become a pervasive global issue, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic environments. The accumulation of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems has detrimental effects on a wide range of animal species, including marine mammals, birds, and intertidal species such as oysters, barnacles, and mussels.

One of the primary ways microplastics harm animals is through ingestion. Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and seals, can mistake plastic bags for prey, leading to the consumption of plastic. Additionally, microplastics can be ingested by animals through contaminated food and water sources. The ingestion of microplastics can result in physical harm, chemical exposure to adsorbed contaminants, inflammatory responses, and behavioral modifications in animals.

Furthermore, microplastics can act as a transport mechanism for various pollutants, enhancing their negative effects. They have the ability to absorb and carry pollutants, increasing the toxicity of the environment and the potential for bioaccumulation in the food chain. This not only affects animal health but also raises concerns about human health, as microplastics have been found in the human food chain through livestock and other domestic animals.

The impact of microplastics on animal health and mortality is a growing area of research, with studies focusing on understanding the intricate relationship between animal exposure to microplastics and their health consequences. While the data is still fragmentary and controversial due to varying particle doses, sizes, and exposure parameters, the ecological ramifications of microplastic contamination are profound, impacting animal behavior, population dynamics, and ecosystem processes.

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