Brian Barton
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, but it is under threat from plastic pollution. Plastics make up more than 80% of the marine debris found in the reef, with microplastics—plastic items smaller than 5mm—posing a particular threat to marine life. A three-year study found that plastic pollution in the Great Barrier Reef poses a chronic risk to marine organisms, with microplastics being consumed by marine organisms and causing harm to coral health and biodiversity. The presence of plastics in the reef is influenced by human activities, extreme weather events, and river discharges, with plastic debris from rivers flowing out into the ocean. The impact of plastic pollution on the Great Barrier Reef highlights the need for collective action to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics, as well as the importance of long-term monitoring and stewardship to protect this fragile ecosystem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of marine debris on the reef that is plastic | >80% |
| Types of plastic | Macroplastics, microplastics, secondary microplastics |
| Examples of macroplastics | Plastic bottles, straws, abandoned fishing gear, vehicle tyre fragments |
| Examples of microplastics | Microbeads, microfibres, plastic fibres, plastic particles |
| Sources of microplastics | Face wash, toothpaste, plastic bags, textiles, food and beverage packages |
| Impact of plastic pollution | Threatens marine life, coral health, and biodiversity |
| Marine life impacted | Turtles, dugongs, dolphins, seabirds, corals, sponges, sea cucumbers |
| Actions to reduce plastic pollution | Banning single-use plastic, beach clean-ups, anti-littering campaigns, reducing waste, reusing plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics are a significant concern
Research has shown that microfibres contribute 86% of all marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem, posing a significant threat to coral health and biodiversity. As trash accumulates, it can entangle branching species of hard corals, causing disintegration and providing an ideal environment for macroalgal colonisation. This can lead to the injury and death of corals as the marine debris deprives them of light and oxygen exchange, making the reef more susceptible to disease.
The presence of microplastics in the Great Barrier Reef is influenced by extreme weather events, with increases in wind speed and river discharges resulting in an outflow of plastic debris from rivers. This highlights the need for long-term monitoring of the marine environment for plastic contamination.
To address the issue of microplastics, organisations like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Citizens of the Reef are encouraging the community, industry, and government to adopt sustainable practices, minimise waste, and reduce plastic use. This includes phasing out single-use plastics, such as straws and plastic bags, and replacing them with reusable alternatives. Additionally, individuals can reduce their plastic consumption by choosing alternatives like beeswax wraps, cloth shopping bags, and glass or reusable containers.
Furthermore, analytical chemistry techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy, are being employed to identify the chemical composition and sources of microplastics. This information is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the impact of microplastics on the Great Barrier Reef and other marine ecosystems.
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Marine life is at risk
Marine life in the Great Barrier Reef is at risk, primarily from plastic pollution. Plastics make up more than 80% of the marine debris found in the Reef, and this includes both macroplastics and microplastics. Macroplastics, such as plastic bottles and straws, can break up into smaller microplastics, which can then travel vast distances. Microplastics are plastic items smaller than 5mm, and these are a particular concern as they are often unintentionally ingested by marine organisms.
Microplastics are commonly found in the form of microfibres, which come from clothing and furnishings. These microfibres contribute to 86% of all marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef and pose a significant threat to coral health and biodiversity. As plastic debris builds up, it entangles branching species of hard corals, causing disintegration and abrasion, and providing an environment for macroalgal colonisation. This debris can damage the reef structure, leading to coral injury and death. Plastic pollution also deprives corals of light and oxygen exchange, making the reef more vulnerable to disease.
The Great Barrier Reef is home to a diverse range of marine life, including turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and seabirds. All of these species are threatened by plastic pollution. For example, turtles can mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and ingest them, leading to health complications and death. Dugongs, which are large marine mammals, can become entangled in abandoned fishing gear and other plastic debris, restricting their movement and causing injury. Dolphins can also be affected by plastic pollution, as they may ingest microplastics or become entangled in plastic waste.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life in the Great Barrier Reef is a growing concern, and it requires collective action from the community, industry, and government to address this issue. Efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic are crucial to mitigating the risks posed to marine life in the Reef. This includes choosing sustainable options, minimising waste, and engaging in stewardship activities to reduce plastic impacts. By working together, we can help protect the diverse and vulnerable marine life that calls the Great Barrier Reef home.
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Plastic waste is a global issue
Microplastics, plastic items smaller than 5 mm, are of particular concern as they can be ingested by marine organisms and have been detected in seawater, marine sediment, ice cores, and various organisms at different depths. Extreme weather events, such as increases in wind speed and river discharges, contribute to the outflow of plastic debris, further impacting the reef. The presence of microplastics in the Great Barrier Reef highlights the need for long-term monitoring and global collective action to address this issue.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and other organizations encourage individuals, communities, industries, and governments to adopt sustainable practices and reduce plastic waste. This includes minimizing the use of single-use plastics, such as straws, coffee cups, and plastic bags, and transitioning to reusable alternatives. Recycling and proper waste management are also crucial in mitigating plastic pollution.
Additionally, the composition and design of products should be re-evaluated to minimize waste and reduce plastic content. For example, personal care products containing microbeads are being phased out, and organizations like the Australian Packaging Covenant Organization set targets to reduce waste from packaging and improve recycling initiatives. These efforts are essential to decrease the overall environmental impact of plastic waste on the Great Barrier Reef and other marine ecosystems worldwide.
The impact of plastic waste on the Great Barrier Reef is a pressing concern, and addressing this global issue requires collective efforts from individuals, communities, and industries. By reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics, as well as advocating for sustainable practices, we can help protect the fragile marine ecosystems and ensure the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef and other marine environments.
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The impact on coral reefs
The Great Barrier Reef is facing a chronic threat from plastic pollution. Plastics make up more than 80% of the marine debris found in the reef. This includes macroplastics, such as plastic bottles and straws, and microplastics, such as microbeads from personal care products and microfibres from synthetic clothing materials. Microplastics are of particular concern as they can be ingested by marine organisms and are difficult to remove from the environment.
A three-year study of plastic waste in the Great Barrier Reef found that plastic pollution poses a significant risk to marine life, including coral reefs. The study, led by Dr Cherie Motti at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), estimated that by 2030, there could be a yearly input of between 20 and 53 million metric tonnes of plastic into aquatic ecosystems, with associated risks increasing by 50% in some marine environments.
The impact of plastic pollution on coral reefs is significant. Plastics can entangle branching species of hard corals, causing disintegration and abrasion, and providing an ideal environment for macroalgal colonisation. This can lead to the degradation of the reef structure, causing injury and death to corals. Plastic debris also blocks light and oxygen exchange, making the reef more susceptible to disease. Microplastics, in particular, have been found to contribute to 86% of all marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef and pose a significant threat to coral health and biodiversity.
The sources of microplastics in the Great Barrier Reef include personal care products, plastic bags, and textiles. Extreme weather events, such as increases in wind speed and river discharges, can also result in an outflow of plastic debris from rivers, further contributing to plastic pollution in the reef.
The issue of plastic pollution in the Great Barrier Reef is being addressed through various initiatives. The Queensland Government has banned single-use plastic bags, and organisations like Citizens of the Reef have pledged to end the use of single-use plastics. The Reef Guardian program promotes 'reef-friendly' behaviours and practices, while the Great Barrier Reef Foundation encourages community engagement in stewardship activities to reduce plastic impacts on the reef. Additionally, AIMS is working to improve the understanding of microplastic contamination in tropical marine waters and develop methods for collection and analysis of marine environmental samples.
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Efforts to reduce plastic pollution
Billions of pieces of plastic waste, including discarded items and microplastics, litter coral reefs across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef. Plastic makes up more than 80% of the marine debris found on the Reef. It poses a significant threat to marine life, including turtles, dugongs, dolphins, seabirds, and fish. Microplastics, in particular, are a concern as they can be ingested by marine organisms and accumulate toxins such as herbicides and pesticides.
- Reducing Single-Use Plastics and Overall Plastic Consumption: The Citizens of the Reef have pledged to end the use of single-use plastics, and the Queensland Government has banned single-use plastic bags. Individuals can also play a part by refusing single-use plastic items like cling wrap, straws, disposable coffee cups, and plastic bottles. Instead, people can opt for reusable alternatives like beeswax wraps, cloth shopping bags, glass or stainless steel water bottles, and reusable coffee cups.
- Recycling and Proper Waste Management: Recycling helps capture plastic items that cannot be repurposed. Local governments often have kerbside collection programs and container refund schemes in place. Individuals can ensure they recycle household soft plastics like bread bags and biscuit packets at their local supermarket collection points. These recycled plastics can be turned into new products like outdoor furniture, signs, and bollards.
- Beach Clean-ups and Pollution Traps: Beach clean-ups and gross pollutant traps help remove plastic litter from the Great Barrier Reef and its surrounding areas. These activities complement long-term strategic source reduction campaigns and anti-littering initiatives.
- Stewardship and Community Initiatives: The Reef Guardian Program facilitates community adoption of 'reef-friendly' behaviours and practices. This includes the participation of schools, local governments, fishers, farmers, and graziers who work together to improve the health and resilience of the Reef. The Reef Guardian Fishers program recognises commercial fishers who practice sustainable fishing and maintain the health of the Great Barrier Reef.
- International Partnerships: International partners, such as the International Coral Reef Initiative and the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance, are engaged to develop plans for preventing and mitigating marine debris impacts. These partnerships promote collective action and the implementation of sustainable practices.
- Redesigning Products: There is a push to change the composition or function of products to minimise waste and the use of non-renewable materials. This includes redesigning products to reduce or eliminate plastic content. For example, there has been a voluntary phase-out of personal care products containing microbeads, and organisations like the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation have set targets to reduce waste from packaging and improve recycling by 2025.
- Reducing Food Waste: Food waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By reducing food wastage and composting food scraps, individuals can help lower emissions and mitigate climate change. Composting also produces natural fertiliser for gardens.
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Frequently asked questions
Billions of pieces of plastic waste, including microplastics, are littered across the Great Barrier Reef.
Plastic waste smaller than 5mm is considered a microplastic and is particularly harmful as marine organisms often unintentionally consume them.
Some examples of plastic waste found in the Great Barrier Reef include food and beverage packages, abandoned fishing gear, tyre fragments, and petrochemical products.
Reducing the use of single-use plastics and replacing them with reusable alternatives is essential. Governments and communities should also work together to minimise waste, promote recycling, and engage in stewardship activities to reduce plastic pollution in the reef.
