Meghan Hodges
Oceans are one of the most valuable natural resources on Earth, providing a living for millions and housing most of the life on the planet. However, the oceans are under threat from pollution, with an estimated one to two million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans each year. This plastic pollution has severe consequences for marine life, ecosystems, food safety, human health, and coastal tourism, and it also contributes to climate change. The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering, with single-use plastic items such as bags, bottles, and straws making up a significant portion of the waste. Other sources of ocean pollution include oil spills, carbon emissions, fertilizer runoff, and noise pollution. While rivers are the main pathway for plastic to enter the ocean, coastal cities in middle-income countries are the world's plastic emissions hotspots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of pollution | Marine debris, carbon emissions, oil, noise, dirt, and plastic pollution |
| Sources of pollution | Land-based sources (littering, poor waste management, storm water discharge, extreme natural events), ocean-based sources (derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels) and air pollution |
| Impact on marine life | Entanglement, ingestion, interference with navigation safety, threat to human health, contribution to climate change |
| Plastic pollution figures | 1-2 million tonnes of plastic enter oceans annually, 8 million tonnes previously, 80% of marine pollution is plastic, 8-10 million metric tons of plastic in the ocean each year, 50-75 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastics currently in the ocean |
| Microplastics | Smaller than 5mm, harder to clean up, can impact more species, can be ingested by marine animals, can enter the food chain |
| Great Pacific Garbage Patch | Located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, contains 100 million kilograms of plastic and 1.8 trillion pieces larger than 0.5mm, 92% of mass is larger objects, 80% of plastic comes from fishing activities at sea |
| Rivers | Main source of ocean plastic pollution, 1000 rivers worldwide represent almost 80% of ocean plastic emissions, coastal cities in middle-income countries are plastic emissions hotspots |
| Prevention and management | Prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas, improve waste management infrastructure, especially in low-to-middle-income countries |
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Plastic pollution
The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering. We use disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, razors, and bottles, and when these are not disposed of properly, they end up in waterways and, eventually, the ocean. However, not all plastic waste in the ocean is due to littering. Many plastics and microplastics are the result of improper manufacturing processes, and about 20% of the ocean's plastic pollution comes from industrial fishing.
Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution, and around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year. Research indicates that if current trends continue, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. This is a startling prospect, given that plastics have only been in existence for just over a century.
Microplastics are particularly harmful to marine ecosystems. Due to their small size, they can be ingested by marine animals, entering the food chain and leading to disastrous consequences for the health of the planet and all its inhabitants. Microplastics are also much harder to clean up, as they can travel long distances and persist in the ocean for long periods.
Rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution, carrying plastic from land to sea. Coastal cities in middle-income countries are the world's plastic emissions hotspots, and a 2021 study identified 1000 rivers worldwide as accounting for almost 80% of ocean plastic emissions. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California, is the most well-known garbage patch, containing 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic larger than 0.5mm.
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Marine debris
The majority of marine debris comes from land and enters the ocean and Great Lakes through littering, poor waste management practices, stormwater discharge, and extreme natural events such as tsunamis and hurricanes. Some marine debris, such as derelict fishing gear, can also come from ocean-based sources. This lost or abandoned gear is a significant problem because it can continue to capture and kill wildlife, damage sensitive habitats, and compete with and damage active fishing.
A significant amount of plastic pollution in the ocean comes from rivers, which act as arteries carrying plastic from land to sea. Not all plastic in a river will end up in the ocean, as many objects sink to the riverbed or get stuck somewhere along the river system. However, coastal cities in middle-income countries are the world's plastic emissions hotspots due to their proximity to rivers and oceans.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is the most polluted and well-studied garbage patch. It contains around 100 million kilograms of plastic and 1.8 trillion pieces larger than 0.5mm, with about 92% of the floating plastic mass consisting of larger objects. The garbage patch is different from coastal waters as about 80% of the plastic in it comes from fishing activities at sea, while most plastic in coastal waters comes from land-based sources.
The impact of marine debris on wildlife and human health is significant. Marine debris can injure or kill marine and coastal wildlife, damage and degrade habitats, interfere with navigational safety, cause economic loss to fishing and maritime industries, and degrade the quality of life in coastal communities. Microplastics, in particular, can be ingested by marine animals, entering the food chain and leading to disastrous consequences for the health of the planet and its inhabitants.
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Microplastics
Marine debris, including microplastics, is a significant contributor to ocean pollution. Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimetres long, which can be harmful to aquatic life and the ocean. They are derived from larger plastic debris that degrades into smaller fragments over time. Microplastics can also be designed to be small, such as microbeads, which are used in health and beauty products and can pass through water filtration systems, ending up in oceans and lakes.
The presence of plastic in the ocean is a pressing environmental issue, threatening marine ecosystems, food safety, human health, and contributing to climate change. While plastic pollution in the ocean primarily originates from littering and poor waste management practices, it is also a product of improper manufacturing processes and industrial fishing activities.
The exact amount of microplastics entering the ocean is challenging to determine, but estimates suggest there are approximately 358 trillion microplastic particles floating on the ocean's surface, with countless more in deeper regions. As microplastics are challenging to retrieve once they enter the ocean, prevention is crucial. Efforts to reduce plastic waste from entering rivers and seas are essential to mitigating the impact of microplastics on the marine environment.
While research on the specific impacts of microplastics is ongoing, the presence of plastic pollution in the ocean is undeniable, and addressing this issue requires worldwide cooperation and a focus on preventing plastic waste from entering aquatic ecosystems.
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Mismanaged waste
Marine debris, including plastic pollution, is a significant contributor to ocean pollution. Plastic waste accounts for 80% of all marine pollution, with around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year. This plastic pollution comes from a variety of sources, including littering, poor waste management practices, stormwater discharge, and natural disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes.
Lower- to middle-income countries tend to have higher rates of mismanaged waste due to inadequate waste management infrastructure and increasing plastic consumption. In contrast, high-income countries often have more effective waste management systems, even with higher plastic consumption. However, it is important to note that only 9% of plastic waste globally is recycled, and about 22% is not collected or improperly disposed of.
Rivers are a significant pathway for plastic waste to enter the ocean. Of the 1000 rivers that make up 1% of all rivers worldwide, 80% of ocean-bound plastic emissions are accounted for. These rivers, particularly those in middle-income countries, are the world's plastic emissions hotspots, carrying plastic from land to sea during storms and heavy rain events.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California, is a highly polluted area in the North Pacific Ocean. It contains around 100 million kilograms of plastic, with 92% of its floating plastic mass consisting of larger objects that are continually fragmenting into smaller, harder-to-clean microplastics. Research suggests that about 80% of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from fishing activities at sea, with the remaining 20% from land-based sources.
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Oil spills
The total quantity of oil released annually into the world's oceans exceeds one million metric tons. Combined with natural seepage from the ocean floor, oil is released into the world's waterways at a rate of 3.5 million to 6 million metric tons per year. Oil spills can have devastating consequences for marine life, ecosystems, and human societies. Oil on the surface of the ocean blocks sunlight, reduces dissolved oxygen levels, and harms marine life. Crude oil ruins the insulating and waterproofing properties of feathers and fur, causing birds and marine mammals to die from hypothermia. Juvenile sea turtles can become trapped in oil and mistake it for food. Dolphins and whales can inhale oil, which affects their lungs, immune function, and reproduction. Many birds and animals ingest oil when they try to clean themselves, which poisons them.
Fish, shellfish, and corals may not be immediately exposed to oil, but they can come into contact with it if it mixes into the water column. Oil spills can also have economic impacts, such as suspending commercial fishing to prevent contaminated seafood from being sold and affecting tourism and commerce in affected areas. The fishing industry is one of the most affected by oil spills. Oil spills can also impact power plants and other utilities that rely on or discharge into seawater.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) helps to recover funds from the parties responsible for oil spills, typically through legal settlements. Over the last 30 years, NOAA has helped recover over $9 billion from those responsible to restore the ocean and the Great Lakes. In 2004, more than one million gallons of oil were spilled into the Gulf of America when Taylor Energy's MC20 oil production platform collapsed due to Hurricane Ivan.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually. Previous studies have found similar results, suggesting around 1 million tonnes per year. Earlier estimates were as high as 8 million tonnes.
Rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution, carrying plastic from land to sea. However, it's important to note that not all plastic in a river will reach the ocean. Some sink to the riverbed or get stuck along the river system.
Ocean plastic pollution has severe consequences for marine ecosystems and human health. Plastic can entangle marine life, be ingested by marine animals, and release toxic chemicals. It also contributes to climate change and threatens coastal tourism. Additionally, plastic pollution can lead to the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of marine species.
