Kiera Jefferson
Plastic pollution is one of the most devastating environmental issues facing our oceans today. Plastic waste has infiltrated every corner of the natural world, from the deepest ocean trenches to the peaks of mountains. The ocean is particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution, with plastic waste carried by waves and storms to even the most remote reaches of the sea. Marine life is being crippled and killed by plastic entanglement and ingestion, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals and over 1 million seabirds dying each year. This is a conservative estimate, as many deaths go unrecorded, and the true toll of plastic pollution on sea life is likely much higher.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine mammals killed by plastic every year | 100,000 |
| Number of sea birds killed by plastic annually | 1 million |
| Number of whales, dolphins and porpoises killed by ghost gear entanglement every year | 300,000 |
| Number of sea turtles killed by plastic pollution every year | Thousands |
| Number of fish in the North Pacific that ingest plastic each year | 12,000 to 24,000 tons |
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution every year | Over 1 million |
| Estimated amount of plastic waste currently in the oceans | 75 to 199 million tons |
| Amount of plastic entering the marine environment every year | 33 billion pounds |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion by sea life
The problem of plastic ingestion by sea life is widespread and increasing. Research has found plastic ingestion in marine fish worldwide, with mobile predatory species and those at higher trophic levels being the most likely to ingest plastic. Demersal species are more prone to ingesting plastic in shallow waters, whereas pelagic species are more likely to consume plastic below the mixed layer.
The incidence of plastic ingestion depends on the feeding strategy of the species. For example, benthic foragers that feed on zoobenthos, mollusks, and crustaceans may inadvertently consume plastic debris along with their regular diet. Similarly, pelagic fish like myctophids, which migrate vertically and frequently consume plastic, may transport billions of microplastics from the ocean surface to the deep sea each day.
The impact of plastic ingestion on sea life is devastating. Sea turtles that ingest plastic may choke, sustain internal injuries, or starve due to a false sense of fullness. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and their reproduction rates are also affected by plastic pollution on beaches. Seabirds are another casualty, with an estimated 60% of all seabird species having eaten plastic, leading to potential starvation as the ingested plastic occupies stomach space.
The weight of ocean plastics is expected to exceed the combined weight of all the fish in the seas by 2050, underscoring the urgency of addressing this global crisis.
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Plastic entanglement
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that has gained significant public attention due to the distressing images of seabirds, marine mammals, and fish entangled in abandoned or lost plastic netting. Plastic entanglement poses a severe threat to marine life, causing injuries, impairing movement, and leading to starvation and death.
Marine animals, such as dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in plastic debris, including abandoned fishing gear and netting. This gear, often referred to as "ghost" fishing equipment, can entrap marine creatures, leading to debilitating injuries and even drowning. The restriction of movement caused by entanglement can also hinder their ability to escape predators and impair their feeding capacity, resulting in starvation.
Larger marine mammals, such as whales, are also at risk of entanglement. Abandoned fishing nets and other plastic debris can entangle these majestic creatures, causing severe injuries and even death. In some cases, whales have been found stranded on beaches, their bodies filled with indigestible plastic and fishing gear.
The problem of plastic entanglement extends beyond the initial physical harm. Marine animals that survive entanglement may suffer from reduced quality of life and lowered reproductive performance. Additionally, the plastic they ingest can adsorb and concentrate toxic compounds from seawater, further exacerbating the health risks associated with plastic pollution.
Efforts are being made to address plastic entanglement. Organizations like NOAA Fisheries have established response networks to safely free entangled marine mammals and sea turtles. They work with trained professionals to rescue and rehabilitate affected animals while also gathering information to reduce entanglement occurrences.
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Plastic's durability and degradation
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that has resulted in the deaths of numerous marine animals. It is estimated that plastic pollution kills about 100,000 marine mammals every year, with ingestion or entanglement in plastic being the primary causes. Seabirds are also affected, with approximately 1 million dying from plastic annually.
The durability of plastics is a significant factor contributing to the issue of plastic pollution. Plastics are synthetic polymers made by linking thousands of organic subunits called monomers through strong covalent chemical bonds. The strength of these bonds contributes to the durability of plastics, making them resistant to degradation. Polyolefins, for example, are highly durable due to their chemical and biological inertness, high molecular weight, hydrophobicity, and absence of functional groups susceptible to microbial enzymes, light, or water.
The durability of plastics has been a topic of debate, with conflicting claims about their degradation rates. While some sources claim that plastics can take hundreds or even thousands of years to degrade, others argue that plastics degrade at similar rates to organic materials like leaves or paper. It is important to note that the degradation rate of plastics depends on various factors, including the specific type of plastic, environmental conditions, and the presence of additives or stabilizers.
Plastic additives and plasticizers can influence the biodegradation process, with some additives causing harmful impacts. However, certain bacterial enzymes, such as PET hydrolase and PCL-cutinase, have been found to enhance the degradation of specific polymers. The employment of various bacterial strains holds potential for efficient plastic degradation, improving human health and safety.
The plastic industry spends billions of dollars annually on stabilizers to prolong the lifespan of plastic products. These stabilizers, such as antioxidants and light stabilizers, are added to durable items to ensure a long life and the potential for multiple recycling cycles. While stabilizers can slow down degradation, they do not prevent it entirely, as evidenced by the degradation of plastic items like garden chairs and paint.
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Plastic's impact on marine ecosystems
Marine ecosystems are facing a grave threat from plastic pollution. The presence of plastic in the ocean is continually increasing, and plastic pollution is one of the main causes of marine species extinction and health problems for humans and animals. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. This includes approximately 1 million seabirds. Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. The most obvious impact is the damage plastic items cause to animals when they come into contact with or ingest them, including suffocation, entanglement, laceration, infections, and internal injuries.
Plastic pollution also affects marine ecosystems in other ways. Floating plastic items can help transport invasive species, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the food web. Microplastics have now become part of the food chain and have been found in drinking water, salt, beer, and even in the soil where we grow our vegetables. They can also absorb toxins, which can then be transferred to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them. Large marine mammals are especially vulnerable to entanglement in ghost fishing gear, which makes up an estimated 640,000 tonnes of the 8 million tonnes of plastic that enter the oceans each year.
In addition, plastic debris accumulation can modify habitats in the marine environment. Benthic, submerged ecosystems such as seagrass and coral reefs degrade due to the deposition of macro and mega plastic debris on the seafloor. This reduces species richness and composition in the marine environment. Derelict fishing gear, such as gill nets, has been found to negatively affect coral sites and decrease coral biodiversity.
The effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems are far-reaching and severe. Plastic pollution not only harms marine life but also impacts ocean health, food safety and quality, human health, and coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change. It is a global issue that requires worldwide cooperation and individual action to address.
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Plastic's impact on the food chain
Plastics are highly resistant to degradation and can remain in the environment for a long time, eventually making their way into the food chain. Microplastics have been detected in the atmosphere, soil, water bodies, and living organisms. They can enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact.
Plastic waste in the ocean is a significant contributor to the presence of microplastics in the environment. Marine animals can ingest plastic or become entangled in it, leading to death or injury. It is estimated that plastic pollution kills about 100,000 marine mammals every year, and many more are crippled by abandoned fishing gear. All seven sea turtle species are affected by plastic pollution, and common victims of entanglement include dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, whales, and sea lions.
Microplastics have been found in zooplankton, which is consumed by arrow worms, transparent torpedo-shaped creatures that live in the sea. This demonstrates how plastic enters the food chain, as arrow worms are eaten by other animals higher up the chain. In another example, Swedish scientists found that nanoplastics consumed by algae were passed on to water fleas, which were then eaten by fish, leading to abnormal behavior in the fish.
The presence of microplastics in the food chain can have potential health hazards for humans, including gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, cancer, infertility, and alteration in chromosomes. Microplastics can also act as a vector for harmful microorganisms and contribute to the frequency of algal blooms or high counts of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can impact the entire food chain and pose risks to human health.
The plastic industry has generated waste since the 1950s, and plastic production has massively increased, reaching approximately 367 million metric tons globally in 2020. The largest share of plastic consumption is used for packaging materials, including those applied in the food industry. While plastic materials are widely used due to their beneficial properties, contamination of the environment with microplastics and nanoplastics is an emerging problem that endangers animal life, the food chain, and public health.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals that die each year due to plastic pollution. However, it is estimated that over 1 million marine animals, including many sea turtles, die annually due to plastic pollution in the ocean.
Plastic pollution can kill marine life in several ways, including ingestion and entanglement. Marine animals may mistake plastic for food, which can lead to starvation, internal injuries, or suffocation. They can also get entangled in plastic debris, which can cause injury or drowning.
All types of marine life, from small finches to large whales, are vulnerable to plastic pollution. However, seabirds and sea turtles are particularly affected, with thousands of deaths reported each year. Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and seals, are also commonly affected by plastic ingestion and entanglement.
