Greta Jimenez
Marine animals are facing potential extinction due to human activities such as pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change. The ocean is home to a diverse range of wildlife, but the growing amount of pollution in the ocean, including plastics, chemicals, and noise, is threatening the survival of these animals. Plastic pollution, in particular, has been declared more deadly to sea turtles than oil spills, with the Hawksbill Turtle population dropping by an estimated 80% in the last 50 years. Other marine animals endangered by water pollution include whales, dolphins, sharks, rays, seals, and seabirds, which often ingest plastic or become entangled in debris. The issue of water pollution is not limited to a specific location, as it has been observed in places like the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Florida, and Hawaii. The survival of these marine species is crucial for maintaining the health of ocean ecosystems, and the loss of these animals can have far-reaching consequences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine animals endangered by water pollution | Sea birds, sea turtles, whales, seals, dolphins, sharks, rays, coral reefs, manatees, sea lions, beluga whales, sea cucumbers, jellyfish, molluscs, and more |
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic each year | 1 million sea birds, 100,000 marine mammals |
| Percentage of the world's sharks and rays threatened with extinction | 37% |
| Percentage of reef corals threatened with extinction | 33% |
| Percentage of marine mammals threatened with extinction | 26% |
| Percentage of marine reptiles threatened with extinction | 21% |
| Number of remaining Hawaiian monk seals | 632 |
| Number of remaining Atlantic humpback dolphins | 1,500 |
| Number of remaining Florida manatees | 3,200 |
| Number of remaining porpoises | 1,040 |
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What You'll Learn
Marine mammals are affected by noise pollution
Marine animals are facing a grave threat from water pollution, with sources citing that a huge percentage of marine life is dying off at alarming and unsustainable rates. Water pollution is causing the deaths of around 100,000 marine mammals every year, according to estimates. Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and seabirds are some of the most commonly affected species.
Now, focusing on the impact of noise pollution on marine mammals:
Noise pollution in the ocean has increased significantly, which is extremely detrimental to marine wildlife as most marine mammals depend on sound for their survival. Marine mammals are acoustically and auditorally unique due to their functional aquatic ears. The external ears are typically absent, while the middle ear is highly modified. This makes them challenging research subjects, and while progress has been made, gaps remain in our understanding.
Noise pollution can lead to changes in the behaviour of marine mammals, impacting their individual and social habits, metabolism, and population recruitment. It can also decrease their communication range. For example, increased ship noise has caused bottlenose dolphins to simplify their vocal calls, potentially reducing the information conveyed.
In an experiment, blue whales were observed to alter their behaviour in response to sonar, even at sound levels much lower than those of military sonar. The whales stopped feeding, increased their swimming speed, and moved away from the sound source. This can have significant implications for their fitness, foraging ecology, and population health.
To address noise pollution, specific management strategies are required, such as monitoring underwater noise and species status and incorporating these findings into future plans. Legislative responsibility for implementing protective measures lies with MPA management and/or national or regional agencies. Reducing propeller noise from ships and mitigating the sounds of sonar equipment and construction activities are crucial steps to improve the ocean soundscape and enable the recovery of marine life.
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Plastic waste kills seabirds
Marine animals are dying off at alarming and unsustainable rates due to water pollution. Plastic waste, in particular, is a major threat to sea and shorebirds, with an estimated one million seabirds killed by plastic every year.
Seabirds are birds that live primarily on the ocean, far away from humans. They possess unique adaptations, such as specialized feathers and a desalination system that allows them to drink seawater safely. Despite their resilience, seabirds are extremely vulnerable to plastic pollution. Plastic debris in the ocean, often in the form of microplastics, can resemble plankton, a common food source for many seabirds. Recent research also suggests that plastic may develop food-like smells, attracting birds and other wildlife. As a result, seabirds mistakenly ingest plastic, leading to detrimental and often fatal consequences.
When ingested, plastic can cause physical gut blockage and tear soft tissues, resulting in severe internal damage. The swallowed plastic pieces are often too large or abundant to pass through the digestive systems of seabirds, causing blockages and preventing the breakdown of food. This leads to starvation as the birds stop eating due to the accumulation of plastic in their stomachs.
Additionally, plastic pollution poses a threat of entanglement to seabirds. Discarded fishing lines, nets, and other plastic items can ensnare seabirds, restricting their movement and ability to fend for themselves or escape from predators. This problem is not limited to seabirds but extends to other marine animals as well, including seals and sea lions, who suffer from plastic packing bands around their necks.
The impact of plastic waste on seabirds is not isolated to a specific region but is a global concern. With the increasing production and introduction of plastic into the ocean, the ingestion rates among seabirds are expected to rise proportionately. This issue has grown explosively, with over 80% of birds found with plastic in their stomachs in recent years, compared to less than 5% in the 1960s.
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Water pollution harms coral reefs
Water pollution is a significant threat to coral reefs, which are vital for the survival of many marine animals. Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to the effects of human activities due to their shallow waters near the shore. This proximity to land-based sources of pollution exposes them to various harmful substances and practices.
One major way that water pollution harms coral reefs is through nutrient enrichment. Excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from agricultural runoff, sewage discharges, and animal waste, can lead to increased algae growth. This algae blocks sunlight and consumes the oxygen that corals need for respiration, disrupting the entire ecosystem. Additionally, excess nutrients can support the growth of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that can cause diseases in corals.
Marine debris, including plastic bags, bottles, fishing gear, and microplastics, also poses a significant threat to coral reefs. This debris can snag on corals, blocking sunlight and
Water pollution also affects coral reefs through ocean acidification. Increases in ocean acidity reduce the availability of dissolved salts and ions that corals need to form their calcium carbonate structures, slowing coral and reef growth. In severe cases, acidification can even lead to the dissolution of coral skeletons.
The impact of water pollution on coral reefs is far-reaching, as reefs provide essential habitats and resources for numerous marine species. By understanding and addressing the various ways that water pollution harms coral reefs, we can work towards protecting and preserving these valuable ecosystems.
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Ocean acidification endangers marine life
Marine animals are in danger due to ocean pollution, with plastic being one of the biggest pollutants. Marine life is suffering due to the presence of oils, chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides in the water. Water pollution also affects the food sources of marine animals, such as seagrass beds for manatees. Many marine animals get entangled in plastic bags, containers, and fishing nets or ingest plastic, metal, and glass, leading to painful deaths.
Ocean acidification, a significant consequence of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, poses a grave threat to marine life. The process of ocean acidification involves the absorption of excess carbon dioxide by the oceans, resulting in a decrease in seawater pH. This altered chemistry has detrimental effects on marine organisms, particularly those that rely on minerals to construct their shells and skeletons.
Shellfish, including oysters, clams, lobsters, shrimp, and coral reefs, are among the most vulnerable to ocean acidification. The increased acidity makes it challenging for these organisms to build and maintain their shells, leading to a condition similar to osteoporosis in humans. Additionally, reef-building corals, vital to the marine ecosystem, are also adversely affected by acidification.
The impact of ocean acidification extends beyond shellfish, threatening the survival of other marine species. Pteropods, tiny snails consumed by various fish and whale species, are susceptible to the corrosive effects of acidified waters. The decline in pteropods can have far-reaching consequences for the marine food chain, affecting species such as salmon, mackerel, herring, cod, and baleen whales that rely on them as a food source.
Moreover, ocean acidification can have indirect effects on marine life by disrupting the balance of microscopic organisms in seawater. These microscopic organisms form the foundation of the marine food web, and any changes in their abundance or health can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem.
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Marine animals are threatened by toxic algae blooms
Marine animals are facing an unprecedented threat from toxic algae blooms, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. These blooms occur when toxin-producing algae grow excessively in a body of water, causing harmful effects on marine life and ecosystems. The proliferation of harmful algae is favoured by rising ocean temperatures, which provide the ideal conditions for their growth. As a result, marine animals are ingesting toxins or being exposed to them, leading to severe health issues and even death.
Algal blooms can produce a range of toxins, including liver, nerve, and skin toxins, which can be released into the surrounding water or air. These toxins can seriously harm marine animals such as fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. For example, sea birds that feed on small fish like anchovies and sardines are at risk of significant toxin intake if the fish they prey on have consumed toxic algae. Additionally, contaminated fish, particularly filter-feeding shellfish, pose a significant health risk to marine animals and humans that might consume them.
The impact of toxic algae blooms on marine mammals is particularly concerning. In Southern California, hundreds of dolphins and sea lions have perished due to toxic algae poisoning. The large mouths of sperm whales, for instance, allow for the ingestion of extreme amounts of plastic, which can clog their digestive tracts and lead to death. Similarly, dead beluga whales are often found heavily saturated with herbicides and pesticides, making them treated as toxic waste.
Furthermore, toxic algae blooms destroy seagrass beds, which are a crucial food source for manatees. It is estimated that only 3,200 Florida Manatees remain, and they are highly vulnerable to the high levels of pesticides and herbicides in the water. Sea turtles are also greatly endangered by human pollution, with the Hawksbill Turtle population declining by 80% in the last 50 years due to overfishing and ocean pollution.
The threat posed by toxic algae blooms extends beyond the direct harm to marine animals. These blooms can also clog the gills of fish and invertebrates, smother corals, and damage aquatic vegetation. They contribute to the degradation of coral reefs, which are vital for many marine species' survival. Additionally, the toxins produced by harmful algae can affect humans, causing rare but potentially debilitating or even fatal illnesses. Thus, the increasing frequency and severity of toxic algae blooms pose a significant challenge to protecting marine life and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to say exactly how many marine animals are affected by water pollution, but it is clear that a huge percentage of marine life is dying off at alarming and unsustainable rates. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, at least 37% of the world's sharks and rays, 33% of reef corals, 26% of mammals (including marine) and 21% of reptiles are threatened with extinction.
Marine mammals are extremely sensitive to noise pollution. Some of the marine animals most affected by water pollution include whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, and sharks.
Water pollution affects marine animals in a variety of ways. Marine animals can get entangled in plastic waste and fishing nets, ingest plastic and other pollutants, or be exposed to toxic algae blooms and oil spills.
The sources of water pollution that endanger marine animals include plastic waste, fishing nets, oil spills, toxic algae blooms, and industrial runoff containing chemicals and pollutants.
To protect marine animals from water pollution, it is important to reduce waste, improve waste management practices, recycle, limit single-use plastics, and support conservation initiatives and grassroots organizations dedicated to defending endangered marine species.
