Kiera Jefferson
Marine debris, including plastic pollution, is a pressing issue that affects the health of our oceans and marine life. While the exact amount of plastic waste entering the oceans daily is uncertain, it is estimated that over 1 million metric tons of plastic end up in the oceans annually, with 80% of this pollution originating from land-based sources. This plastic pollution comes from a variety of human activities, including littering, poor waste management, runoff, and extreme natural events. The impact of this pollution is far-reaching, with marine animals suffering entanglement, ingestion, and habitat destruction, and humans facing potential health risks and economic consequences. As plastic production continues to rise, addressing marine debris and its sources is crucial for mitigating the harmful effects of pollution on our oceans and ecosystems.
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What You'll Learn
Marine wildlife is harmed by ingestion and entanglement
While the exact amount of plastic waste entering the oceans each day is uncertain, it is estimated that between 1 million and 1.7 million tons of plastic enter the ocean annually. That's the equivalent of a garbage truck load's worth of plastic entering the ocean every minute. More than 1,000 rivers are responsible for 80% of this plastic pollution, with coastal cities in middle-income countries being the world's plastic emissions hotspots.
Ingesting plastic can lead to loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and even death. It is estimated that plastic waste kills up to a million seabirds a year, and a recent study found that sea turtles that ingest just 14 pieces of plastic have an increased risk of death. Additionally, plastic can carry and release harmful pollutants and chemicals, which can enter the body of an animal if ingested.
Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is another serious threat to marine wildlife, causing the death of hundreds of thousands of marine mammals and sea turtles every year. Smaller animals, such as dolphins, seals, sea lions, and smaller sea turtles, are at risk of drowning immediately if they become entangled in large or heavy gear. Larger animals, such as whales, may not drown, but they can suffer from exhaustion, physical trauma, and infections caused by the gear cutting into their flesh. Entanglement also makes it difficult for animals to avoid vessels, increasing the risk of vessel strikes.
To address these issues, organizations like The Ocean Cleanup and NOAA Fisheries are working to prevent and reduce plastic pollution and entanglement of marine animals.
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Plastic waste from mismanaged or littered sources
The impact of plastic waste from mismanaged sources is influenced by various factors, including proximity to coastlines and river systems. Coastal cities in middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable to becoming hotspots for plastic emissions. Rivers play a crucial role in transporting plastic from land to sea, with over 1000 rivers accounting for nearly 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the oceans. During storms and heavy rain events, plastic emissions can increase significantly as trash is washed into waterways.
Littering is another significant source of plastic waste entering the oceans. Disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, bottles, and razors are often not disposed of properly, eventually finding their way into waterways and the ocean. While rich countries produce the most plastic waste per person, the mismanagement of waste, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries, contributes significantly to ocean plastic pollution.
The consequences of plastic waste from mismanaged or littered sources are far-reaching. Plastic pollution affects not only marine wildlife but also human health and economies. The durability of plastic means that once it enters the ocean, it persists for long periods, with pieces from the 1960s still being found. Entanglement and ingestion of plastic have impacted 914 megafaunal species, including over 100 endangered species. The economic costs of plastic pollution are substantial, estimated to be between $6-19 billion USD annually.
To address the issue of plastic waste from mismanaged or littered sources, it is essential to improve waste management systems and promote recycling. Reducing the use and production of plastic, improving recycling facilities, and properly disposing of plastic items are crucial steps in preventing plastic pollution from reaching our oceans.
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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Ocean
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also known as the Pacific trash vortex, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean. It is located in the North Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and California, and spans waters from the West Coast of North America to Japan. The patch is made up of the Western Garbage Patch, near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California. These areas of spinning debris are linked by the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone, a few hundred kilometres north of Hawaii.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is bounded by the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a large system of swirling ocean currents. The gyre is formed by four currents: the California Current, the North Equatorial Current, the Kuroshio Current, and the North Pacific Current. The area at the centre of the gyre is very calm and stable, and the circular motion of the gyre draws debris into this stable centre, trapping it. This debris is mostly made up of microplastics, tiny bits of plastic that are smaller than a pencil eraser and can be difficult to see.
The amount of debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch continues to grow as more and more plastic enters the ocean each year. This debris can have a significant impact on the environment, including marine life and ecosystems. For example, entanglement and ingestion of plastic have impacted 914 megafaunal species, with more than 100 of them being endangered. Marine debris can also transport non-native species from one place to another, potentially disrupting ecosystems.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is constantly changing due to seasonal and interannual variabilities of winds and currents. Its location and shape are challenging to determine, and it is difficult to study due to its remote location. Scientists have conducted extensive sampling and analysis to estimate its size, utilising boats, surface nets, and aerial imagery. The patch covers an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometres, equivalent to twice the size of Texas or triple the size of France or Thailand.
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Oil spills and fertiliser accumulation as pollutants
While the exact amount of pollution that enters the oceans every day is uncertain, early studies estimated that the oceans receive about 8 million tons of plastic pollution per year. More recent research, however, estimates that the amount is somewhere between 1 million and 1.7 million tons per year. This discrepancy has been referred to as the "missing plastic problem."
Oil spills and fertiliser accumulation are significant contributors to ocean pollution. Oil, a fossil fuel used for heating, electricity generation, and economic activities, can accidentally spill into the ocean, causing harm to marine life, recreational activities, and seafood safety. Thousands of smaller oil spills occur each year, in addition to the more widely known massive incidents like Deepwater Horizon. Oil spills can destroy the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals' fur and the water repellency of birds' feathers, exposing them to hypothermia. It can also impair the growth, liver function, heart and respiration rates, fins, and reproduction of adult fish. Juvenile sea turtles may become trapped in oil and mistake it for food, while dolphins and whales can inhale oil, leading to respiratory and reproductive issues.
Fertilisers, on the other hand, reach marine ecosystems through a process called "runoff." When rainfall, irrigation, or snowmelt cause excess water to enter the soil, the excess water runs off into nearby water bodies, carrying contaminants from fertilisers and pesticides. Nitrogen fertilisers, for example, can lead to high nitrate concentrations in water sources, which can cause nitrate poisoning in humans, livestock, and other mammals. This phenomenon is not limited to a specific location but can occur wherever there is rainfall and irrigation, making it a global concern.
The impact of fertilisers on marine ecosystems is twofold. Initially, the input of fertilisers and nutrients may seem beneficial, but the long-term effects can be detrimental. Excessive nutrients, toxins, and metals are introduced into marine ecosystems, leading to chemical bioaccumulation through the marine food web. This means that higher-level predators accumulate higher concentrations of chemicals, which can have toxic effects on their health and behaviour.
In conclusion, while the exact amount of gallons of pollution entering the oceans each day remains uncertain, oil spills and fertiliser accumulation are significant contributors to the overall pollution problem. These pollutants have detrimental effects on marine life, ecosystems, and even human health and economies. Addressing these issues requires improved waste management practices, agricultural regulations, and continued scientific research to develop effective cleanup methods and protect our ocean habitats.
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Marine debris and microplastics in the food chain
Marine debris and microplastics are a significant concern for the ocean and its ecosystems. While the exact amount of plastic waste entering the oceans each day is uncertain, it is estimated to be between 1 million and 1.7 million tonnes per year, with less than 0.5% of the world's plastic waste ending up in the oceans. This waste comes from thousands of sources worldwide, including rivers, coastal cities in middle-income countries, and oil spills.
Microplastics, ranging in size from 25 μm to 5 mm, have become a pervasive global contaminant, found in ecosystems worldwide. They can enter the environment directly or through the breakdown of larger plastic debris and are often mistaken for food by foraging animals, including zooplankton, which form the base of the marine food chain. As a result, microplastics are passed up the food chain, including to animals that humans consume, such as fish.
The presence of microplastics in marine species for human consumption has raised concerns about potential effects on human health. Studies have detected microplastics in commercial seafood and other food items and drinking water. However, our understanding of the health impacts of microplastics is still limited, and more research is needed to fully comprehend the consequences for human health and food security.
The impact of marine debris and microplastics on marine life is devastating. The durability of plastic means that once it enters the ocean, it can persist for long periods, with pieces from the 1960s still being found. Entanglement and ingestion of plastic have impacted 914 megafaunal species, and the accumulation of plastic along shorelines further endangers marine life.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is a stark example of the concentration of plastic pollution in our oceans. While it is not a solid island of trash, it is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic larger than 0.5 mm. This garbage patch is a rapidly accumulating area of plastic soup, with over 250,000 tons of plastic afloat.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to provide an exact figure, but estimates suggest that between 1 million and 1.7 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year. This is equivalent to 33 billion pounds of plastic annually.
Eighty percent of ocean pollution comes from land-based sources, such as runoff from farms, septic tanks, vehicles, and boats. Pollution also comes from oil spills, littering, and poor waste management practices.
Marine wildlife suffers direct and damaging effects from ocean pollution, especially plastic pollution. Entanglement and ingestion of plastic have impacted 914 megafaunal species, with more than 100 of these being endangered. Plastic pollution has also been found in the food chain, with whales consuming millions of plastic particles daily.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, with around 100 million kilograms of plastic floating in the patch.
To reduce ocean pollution, it is essential to focus on proper waste management and disposal practices. This includes recycling, secure landfills, and reducing plastic consumption. Initiatives like NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program aim to create pollution control plans and find solutions to nonpoint source pollution.
