Greta Jimenez
Ocean pollution has become an increasingly pressing issue, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity and coastal economies. The primary source of pollution is plastic waste, with an estimated one to two million tonnes entering the oceans annually. This plastic waste originates from both land-based sources and direct dumping into the sea, with the majority coming from middle-income countries. Other forms of ocean pollution include noise, oil spills, carbon emissions, toxic chemicals, nutrients, and microplastics. The impact of ocean pollution is far-reaching, with plastic debris found in the deepest ocean trenches and marine life suffering entanglement and ingestion of plastic particles. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of global frameworks and enforcement mechanisms for managing land-based sources of ocean pollution, as well as insufficient coastal water quality monitoring. As a result, ocean pollution has grown to unprecedented levels, underscoring the urgent need for international policy interventions and collective action to address this crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of plastic in the ocean | 170 trillion plastic particles |
| Amount of plastic entering the ocean annually | 1-2 million tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic waste ending up in the ocean | 0.5% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is mismanaged | 25% |
| Percentage of ocean shoreline in the US that is monitored regularly for water quality | 6% |
| Number of countries with laws requiring monitoring of coastal water quality | Very few |
| Global plastic production | 350 million tonnes of plastic waste annually |
| Plastic pollution in the ocean doubling rate | Every 6 years |
| Percentage of plastic ever made that has been recycled | 10% |
| Percentage of global plastics that are recycled annually | 9% |
| Number of countries that have agreed to the Basel Convention agreement on plastic | 180 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution is reaching 'unprecedented' levels
Plastic pollution is reaching unprecedented levels, with over 170 trillion plastic particles found in the ocean. The weight of all that plastic is equivalent to about 28 Washington Monuments. The majority of the garbage that enters the ocean each year is plastic—and it is there to stay. Unlike other trash, single-use plastic items like bags, bottles, straws, and containers won't biodegrade. Instead, they persist in the environment, polluting beaches, entangling marine life, and being ingested by various creatures.
The plastic problem is not limited to the oceans; it has spread to the air, soil, food, and even human bodies. The plastic is broken down into tiny pieces, which are extremely difficult to clean up. Marine life can become entangled in these pieces or mistake them for food. Additionally, plastic can leach toxic chemicals into the water, causing environmental and climate issues.
The primary source of plastic pollution in the marine environment is land runoff, but other sources include paint shed from shipping, discarded fishing gear, and more. Plastic pollution is a transboundary issue, affecting all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. It is a significant contributor to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. As plastic is made from fossil fuels, its production and disposal generate planet-heating pollution.
To address this global crisis, a plastics treaty is needed to reduce plastic production, eliminate harmful products and chemicals, and implement strong national plans and compliance mechanisms. While there have been agreements in the past aimed at reducing plastic pollution, they have often been voluntary and lacked measurable targets. The United Nations plans to create a legally binding global plastics treaty by 2024, which will regulate the entire life cycle of plastic.
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Plastic waste from land is polluting oceans
Plastic waste from land is polluting the oceans at an alarming rate, with plastic pollution in the ocean doubling every six years. The mismanagement of plastic waste, including the lack of recycling, incineration, or proper disposal in sealed landfills, is a critical factor contributing to this issue. The problem is not limited to any specific region or country, as plastic pollution has been found in every biome, affecting both industrialized nations and developing regions.
The sources of plastic waste entering the oceans are diverse and widespread. Rivers are the primary pathway for plastic to reach the oceans, with over 1,000 rivers identified as contributing to 80% of plastic emissions into the oceans. These rivers carry plastic waste from land, including industrial, agricultural, and municipal sources, directly into the sea. Additionally, the improper disposal of plastic waste, such as dumping it into waterways or leaving it exposed to the elements, increases the risk of plastic pollution in the oceans.
The impact of plastic pollution in the oceans is far-reaching and detrimental. Plastic waste affects both marine life and ecosystems, with deadly consequences. Seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals often ingest plastic or become entangled in it, leading to injuries and mortality. For example, endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species that suffer from plastic ingestion or entanglement.
Furthermore, plastic pollution in the oceans has economic implications, with annual costs estimated between $6-19 billion USD. These costs include impacts on tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and governmental clean-up efforts. The presence of plastic pollution in the oceans also highlights the interconnectedness of land systems, freshwater systems, estuaries, coasts, and the open sea.
To address the issue of plastic waste from land polluting the oceans, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Improving waste management practices, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries, is crucial. This includes reducing plastic consumption, increasing recycling, and properly disposing of plastic waste to prevent it from entering waterways. Additionally, global cooperation and treaties, such as the Basel Convention agreement on plastic, are essential to regulate the production, use, and disposal of plastic worldwide.
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Ocean acidification is worsening
The process of ocean acidification is straightforward. When carbon dioxide dissolves into seawater, it produces carbonic acid, releasing hydrogen and bicarbonate ions. The higher the concentration of hydrogen ions, the more acidic the water becomes. This increase in acidity is measured by a decrease in the ocean's pH level, which has dropped by approximately 30% since the pre-industrial era. Seawater pH decreased from 8.11 in 1985 to 8.05 in 2021, and it is projected to decline further by about 0.15 to 0.5 pH units by 2100.
The consequences of ocean acidification are severe. It disrupts the fundamental chemical balance of the oceans and coastal waters, threatening marine life that relies on specific mineral conditions to build shells and skeletons. This includes shellfish like oysters and clams, as well as lobsters, shrimp, and coral reefs. Ocean acidification also affects other species vital to the marine ecosystem, such as reef-building corals and pteropods (tiny snails eaten by various species).
The impact of ocean acidification is already evident in several regions. It is weakening coral structures in the Caribbean and cold-water reefs off the coasts of Scotland and Norway. The Great Barrier Reef has seen a 50% decline in living corals over the past three decades, reducing fish habitats and the overall resilience of the reef system. Additionally, Alaska's fisheries, which account for nearly 60% of the US commercial fish catch, are also at risk.
To address the worsening issue of ocean acidification, substantial reductions in carbon dioxide emissions are necessary. While it will take a very long time for the Earth system to re-establish balanced ocean chemical conditions and recover from human-induced acidification, taking action now can help mitigate the impact on marine life and ecosystems.
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Noise pollution is harming marine life
Ocean pollution has grown to become a pressing issue, with plastic waste, toxic chemicals, nutrient pollution, and oil spills all contributing to the degradation of marine ecosystems. While plastic pollution is a significant concern, with an estimated 1 to 2 million tonnes of plastic entering our oceans annually, noise pollution is also harming marine life and has increased dramatically over the last few decades.
Noise pollution in the ocean, also known as anthropogenic noise pollution, refers to the intrusion of human-generated sounds into the marine environment. The primary sources of this pollution include cargo vessels, military sonar, seismic surveys, propellers, pile driving, construction, and offshore wind farms. These activities produce extremely powerful sound waves that can exceed 230 decibels, comparable to the sound of a rocket launch. As sound waves travel faster and farther in water than in air, this pollution can spread over vast distances, impacting marine life even in remote regions like the Arctic.
Marine species, particularly mammals such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises, are highly dependent on sound for their survival. They rely on sound to communicate, locate mates and prey, navigate, and defend their territories. Noise pollution interferes with these key life functions, causing behavioural changes, increased stress, and even death. For example, studies have shown that sonar can alter the feeding behaviour of endangered blue whales, causing them to stop feeding and move away from the sound source.
The impact of noise pollution on marine life is severe and wide-ranging. It can cause immediate physical harm, including hearing loss, internal injuries, and, in extreme cases, death. It can also disrupt the natural behaviour of marine mammals, causing them to move away from their feeding grounds and habitats, leading to increased mortality rates. The constant drone of cargo vessels masks the natural soundtrack of the sea, affecting the biological and ecological processes of marine ecosystems.
To mitigate the harmful effects of noise pollution on marine life, coordinated efforts are required from governments, industries, and conservationists. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established guidelines to encourage quieter ship designs and reduce underwater noise pollution. Additionally, the development and implementation of quieter technologies, such as modifications to hull designs and the use of quieter propellers, can significantly reduce noise levels generated by vessels. Scientific research and education also play pivotal roles in addressing this issue, with organizations like the Oceans Research Institute offering training in marine biology and bioacoustics to equip students with the tools necessary to address noise pollution and conserve affected marine ecosystems.
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Rich countries are exporting plastic waste to poorer countries
The world produces around 350 million tons of plastic waste each year, with 1 to 2 million tons of plastic entering the oceans annually. This plastic pollution is found everywhere, including in the human bloodstream, near the summit of Mount Everest, and in the Mariana Trench.
Rich countries are major contributors to this pollution by shipping their waste to poorer countries with weaker waste management systems. While only a small fraction of the world's plastic waste is traded (less than 2%), most of it ends up in richer countries, and a significant portion of that is exported to developing nations. High-income countries like those in Europe, North America, Japan, and the United Kingdom have been accused of inundating poorer nations with plastic waste, often under the guise of recycling. This waste ends up in dumps, landfills, rivers, or incinerators, causing toxic pollution and hazardous air pollution for nearby communities.
The Basel Convention, a U.N. agreement, was established to regulate the international movement of hazardous waste, including plastic waste. However, violations of this agreement have been rampant, with countries like the U.S., Canada, and members of the European Union offloading hundreds of millions of tons of plastic on other countries. The U.S., notably, has not ratified the Basel Convention and continues to be one of the largest consumers and exporters of plastic waste.
The plastic waste trade has significant environmental and public health impacts. Toxic chemicals from plastics are poisoning communities, and the burning of plastic waste releases hazardous air pollutants. Additionally, the export of contaminated recycling plastic packages has been a driver for countries to ban plastic imports. It is important to note that most of the world's waste is handled domestically, and most of the waste that enters the oceans stems from these countries, particularly middle-income countries across Asia.
To effectively tackle the problem of ocean plastic pollution, it is crucial to improve waste management infrastructure and practices in low-to-middle-income countries, as this is where the risk of plastic entering the ocean is highest due to poorer waste management systems. Additionally, rich countries should scale up their waste management systems and reduce their exports of plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
It is hard to know the exact amount of plastic in the ocean, but there is an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste in the oceans, with 8 to 12 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year.
The biggest source of ocean pollution is non-point source pollution, which occurs when rainfall or snowmelt collects pollutants from sources such as oil, grease, toxic chemicals, and agricultural fertilisers, before depositing them into bodies of water.
Manufactured chemicals found in the oceans can reduce male fertility, increase the risk of cancer and damage nervous systems. An increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria has also been observed due to marine pollution.
Marine animals often ingest plastic, causing internal injuries and infections. Plastic debris can also entangle and trap marine animals, and microplastics have entered the food chain. It is estimated that over 1 million marine animals die each year due to plastic pollution.
The oceans absorb a large amount of carbon emissions, which changes the pH of surface waters and leads to acidification. This process disrupts marine ecosystems and coastal economies.
