Bronte Wells
Marine animals are dying due to pollution, and the scale of the problem is massive. Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue that has far-reaching impacts on marine life. While it is challenging to estimate the exact number of marine animal deaths caused by plastic pollution, it is estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic ingestion or entanglement. This number is likely an underestimate, as it does not account for all species. The impact of plastic pollution on marine animals is significant, with species such as sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and coral reefs being among the most vulnerable.
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What You'll Learn
Ingestion of plastic kills sea animals
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue that continues to grow in magnitude. Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, and it has become a significant threat to marine life. The scale of the problem is massive and must be understood if we are to find effective solutions to protect our oceans. Marine animals are affected by plastic pollution in several ways, including entanglement, ingestion, and chemical contamination.
Ingestion of plastic is a significant cause of death among marine animals. Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and coral reefs are among the species most vulnerable to plastic ingestion. Turtles, for example, mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their favourite food. Similarly, plastic bags filled with water can resemble squid or other prey to seals and marine mammals. 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 food and can misinterpret plastic waste as prey. This misinterpretation may have led to the death of a pregnant pygmy sperm whale that washed up on a beach near Melbourne with a stomach full of plastic.
Fish often mistake small plastic pieces, such as pellets, for food. Molluscs such as mussels and oysters also inadvertently consume microplastics when filtering seawater to feed. A recent study of mussels sourced from UK waters found that all samples contained microplastic pieces. Seabirds are also at risk of ingesting plastic, which can cause suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. A dead albatross chick found on Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean is a tragic example of this, with plastic debris found in its stomach.
It is challenging to estimate the exact number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution annually, but the impact is significant. While one estimate suggests that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals every year, this number likely underestimates the true figure as it only accounts for a few species. Overall, the ingestion of plastic is a severe issue that threatens the survival of various marine species. Urgent action is needed to address this urgent problem and protect marine life.
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Entanglement in plastic debris
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue that continues to grow in magnitude. Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, and it has become a significant threat to marine life. The scale of the problem is massive and must be understood if we are to find effective solutions to protect our oceans. Plastic pollution affects marine animals in several ways, including ingestion, entanglement, and chemical contamination.
All seven species of sea turtles are affected by plastic pollution, and they are at high risk of ingesting plastic as they mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their favourite food. However, entanglement in plastic debris is also a threat to sea turtles. Rare species such as the humpback dolphin, found only in waters around Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with plastic debris wrapped tightly around their bodies.
It is challenging to estimate the number of marine animals that die from entanglement in plastic debris, as the majority of deaths are unobserved. However, a study by the World Wildlife Fund estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have eaten or become entangled in plastic. This number is likely an underestimate, and more research is needed to determine the full extent of the problem.
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Plastic waste in oceans is growing
Plastic waste in oceans is a critical environmental issue that is growing in magnitude. The amount of plastic waste in the ocean is increasing rapidly, with millions of tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. This plastic waste is a significant threat to marine life, with plastic pollution killing an estimated 100,000 marine animals every year. This number is likely an underestimate, as the majority of marine animal deaths are unobserved.
Plastic waste in the ocean comes from the mismanagement of plastic waste, which is particularly prevalent in low-to-middle-income countries. Mismanaged waste is plastic that is not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills, leaving it vulnerable to leaking into the environment and, eventually, the ocean. Rich countries produce the most plastic waste per person, but most of the plastic flowing into the ocean comes from middle-income countries, especially in Asia.
The impact of plastic waste in the ocean on marine animals is devastating. Plastic pollution affects marine animals in several ways, including entanglement, ingestion, and chemical contamination. Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and seals, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in plastic debris, which can lead to injuries or death. Ingestion of plastic is also a significant issue, with many marine animals mistaking plastic for food. Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic bags for their favourite food, jellyfish. Even species that don't rely on sight to identify prey are at risk, as unnatural objects like plastic waste can confuse their sonar and be interpreted as food.
The problem of plastic waste in oceans is expected to worsen in the coming years, with the fossil fuel industry planning to increase plastic production by 40% over the next decade. However, there are actions that can be taken to address this issue. Improving waste management and recycling practices can help reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean. Additionally, individuals can take steps to reduce their plastic consumption and dispose of plastic waste properly. By addressing the problem of plastic waste in oceans, we can protect marine animals and preserve the health of our oceans.
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Marine mammals are vulnerable
One of the most significant ways pollution affects marine mammals is through ingestion. Plastic waste in the ocean can resemble prey, leading marine mammals to consume it inadvertently. For example, plastic bags can look like squid or jellyfish, the favourite food of sea turtles. Marine mammals that use echolocation to find prey, such as toothed whales and some dolphin species, can be misled by unnatural objects like plastic waste, interpreting them as food. This was the case for a pregnant pygmy sperm whale that stranded near Melbourne, with a stomach full of ingested plastic. Similarly, a sperm whale died due to inflammation caused by 30 kilograms of ingested plastic, including shopping bags and fishing nets.
Entanglement in plastic debris is another major issue. Marine mammals can become entangled in plastic-based fishing gear, with severe consequences. Even if they can move, the plastic can cut into their skin, leading to deadly infections. The humpback dolphin, a rare species found only in Australian and New Guinean waters, has been observed with marine debris tightly wrapped around its body.
The long life span, key position in the food web, and large lipid deposits of marine mammals also make them susceptible to accumulating contaminants. As top predators, toxins in their food sources, especially fatty tissues, accumulate in their bodies. Bio-concentration of toxins in plankton, consumed by small fish, which are then eaten by larger fish, leads to high levels of toxins in dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals. Nine out of ten species with the highest polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels are marine mammals, including bottlenose dolphins, orcas, and seals. PCBs make whales more susceptible to infectious diseases and impede their growth and development. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) also impair reproduction by mimicking estrogen and causing low sperm counts.
The impact of pollution on marine mammals is evident in the dramatic rise in illnesses, including nervous and digestive system problems, liver disease, endocrine system damage, reproductive malformations, and growth issues. There is also an alarming increase in cancer cases, attributed to contamination by man-made toxic chemicals.
While the exact number is challenging to determine, it is estimated that plastic pollution kills at least 100,000 marine mammals annually. This figure may be an underestimate, and further research is needed to grasp the full extent of the problem.
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Sea turtles are at high risk
Sea turtles have existed for over 100 million years, but now face a new and devastating threat in the form of plastic pollution. Sea turtles are vulnerable to ocean pollution at all stages of their life, from eggs to hatchlings to juveniles to adults. They are at high risk of ingesting plastic, as they mistake plastic bags for their favourite food, jellyfish. They can also accidentally eat plastic that is present among their natural food, such as a plastic straw on the seafloor among crustaceans.
Research has found that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic. When they ingest plastic, it can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, or trick them into feeling full when they are not, resulting in sickness or even death. Plastic pollution also poses a threat to sea turtles through entanglement. Young sea turtles are at higher risk of becoming entangled in plastic as they spend their early years floating with ocean currents, where they live in flotsam and eat other organisms that float with the currents.
Sea turtles are also susceptible to toxic metals, PCBs, petroleum products, and agricultural and industrial runoff of contaminants such as fertilisers, chemicals, nutrients, and untreated waste. These pollutants can cause immediate harm to sea turtles through direct contact or build up in their tissues over time, leading to immunosuppression and disease. For example, tumours caused by FP disease can create drag and slow sea turtles down, making them more vulnerable to predation and collisions with boats.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is significant, and it is essential to address this critical environmental issue to protect sea turtle populations and the oceans they inhabit.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution each year, including entanglement and ingestion. This number is likely an underestimate, as it is challenging to estimate accurately due to the majority of deaths going unobserved.
Plastic pollution affects marine animals in several ways, including entanglement, ingestion, and chemical contamination. Marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, can get entangled in plastic debris, leading to injuries or drowning. Animals that rely on eyesight may mistake plastic for prey, while those that use echolocation to find prey can be confused by unnatural objects.
Yes, sea turtles are highly vulnerable to plastic pollution. They often mistake plastic bags for their favorite food, jellyfish, leading to ingestion of plastic. Other vulnerable species include whales, dolphins, coral reefs, and sea lions.
Plastic pollution has led to declining fish stocks and job losses in affected communities. It also impacts the health of people who consume seafood, with persistent organic pollutants found in the blood of indigenous people in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland. The economic costs of plastic pollution are significant, with liabilities related to plastic pollution forecasted to cost the industry $100 billion in damages.
Individuals can take actions such as reducing plastic consumption, recycling, using reusable alternatives, and participating in beach cleanups to help address the problem. Supporting organizations dedicated to marine conservation and protection is another way to contribute to global efforts.
