Brian Barton
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It contains two garbage patches, in the North and South, consisting of floating plastic, litter, and debris. A recent study found that there is at least 10 times more plastic polluting the Atlantic Ocean than previously estimated, with a total plastic load of around 200 million tonnes. The ocean is highly vulnerable to pollution, with major rivers like the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo contributing to inland plastic being carried into the ocean. Nonpoint source pollution, such as runoff from farms and septic tanks, is a significant contributor, while oil spills and fertilizer runoff also play a role. The pollution has negatively impacted shellfish businesses on the East Coast and created dead zones where marine and plant life can no longer survive. With plastic waste projected to rise by 2040, addressing ocean pollution is crucial for protecting marine life and the health of the planet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of garbage patches | 2 |
| Microplastics per cubic metre | 7,000 |
| Total plastic load | 200 million tonnes |
| Plastic load in the top 200 meters | 12-21 million tonnes |
| Plastic pollution in 2040 | Projected to rise dramatically |
| Percentage of Atlantic Ocean negatively impacted by pollution | Over 1/3 |
| Number of dead zones in the ocean | 500 |
| Percentage increase in the number of animal species affected by ocean pollution in the last 5 years | 23% |
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What You'll Learn
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world
The Atlantic Ocean is a critical habitat for shellfish, and shellfish businesses on the East Coast have been negatively impacted by pollution. Over one-third of the Atlantic Ocean has been negatively impacted by pollution, with plastic being one of the most common causes. The majority of the waste produced on land eventually reaches the oceans, whether intentionally or not. Plastic pollution has severe consequences for marine life, with fish and other marine animals often mistaking plastic for food. As a result, animals end up starving as their stomachs fill with indigestible plastic.
Nonpoint source pollution, such as runoff from septic tanks, farms, and vehicles, is a significant contributor to the pollution in the Atlantic Ocean. Point source pollution, such as oil spills and chemical spills, also impacts the health of the ocean. Oil spills, in particular, have had devastating impacts on marine life in the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, the Atlantic Ocean is accessible through major rivers such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo, making it more susceptible to inland plastic being carried into the ocean.
The National Oceanography Centre estimates that the Atlantic Ocean's total plastic load is around 200 million tons, with at least 10 times more plastic pollution than previously believed. This includes microplastics, which have been found in high concentrations in the upper Atlantic Ocean. Microplastics can be ingested by fish and other species, potentially impacting human health as contaminants in the food chain.
Efforts are being made to address the issue of plastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean. The World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) aims to combat plastic pollution and advance a circular economy for plastics. Additionally, the Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ have developed "Breaking the Plastic Wave," a roadmap to reduce ocean plastic pollution by 2040.
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There are two garbage patches in the Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It is susceptible to pollution from major rivers such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo, which carry inland plastic into the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean contains two major garbage patches, one in the North Atlantic Gyre and the other in the South Atlantic Gyre. These garbage patches are areas of concentrated marine debris, consisting of floating plastic, litter, and debris that are brought together by ocean currents. The North Atlantic Garbage Patch, in particular, originates from human-created waste that travels from continental rivers into the ocean and is centralized by gyres.
The impact of these garbage patches on human health is still unknown, but humans may be exposed to microplastics through seafood, sea salt, tap water, beer, and even honey. Marine life is also at risk, as it is easier for marine animals to ingest microplastics, which can be mistaken for fish eggs or plankton. A recent study found that the levels of microplastics on the surface of the North Atlantic Garbage Patch are close to exceeding safe levels, and there could be significant adverse effects on marine life if the issue is not addressed.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Gyre, is the most well-known garbage patch, but it is not the only one. The Atlantic Ocean's garbage patches are constantly changing in size and shape due to winds and currents, and the debris can be found from the surface of the ocean to the ocean floor. While there have been some awareness and cleanup efforts, such as The Garbage Patch State at UNESCO and The Ocean Cleanup, most research and cleanup efforts have focused on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
The pollution in the Atlantic Ocean is a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems, and it is important to address this issue through improved waste management systems and a focus on better recycling practices for plastic. By understanding the extent of the problem and taking preventive measures, we can work towards reducing the pollution in the Atlantic Ocean and mitigating its impact on the environment and human health.
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Plastic pollution is 10 times higher than previously estimated
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It contains two garbage patches, both in the North and South. The ocean has access to major rivers, such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and the Congo, making it more susceptible to inland plastic being carried by the rivers into the ocean.
The Atlantic Ocean is greatly affected by human activities, with billions of pounds of trash and other pollutants entering the ocean each year. One of the biggest sources of pollution is non-point source pollution, which occurs when rainfall or snowmelt moves across the ground, picking up pollutants and depositing them into bodies of water. This type of pollution can come from sources such as septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and ranches.
While the extent of plastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean was previously underestimated, recent studies have revealed alarming findings. Research has shown that there is at least 10 times more plastic polluting the Atlantic Ocean than originally thought. This discovery highlights the urgent need for action to address the issue.
Scientists from the UK's National Oceanography Centre collected seawater samples at 12 locations across the Atlantic, from Britain to the Falklands, between September and November 2016. They analyzed the samples using spectroscopic imaging to detect microparticles of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, which are among the most commonly used plastics. The results showed a high concentration of microplastics in the upper 200 meters of the Atlantic Ocean, with 7,000 microplastics per cubic meter.
Katsiaryna Pabortsava, the lead author of the study, emphasized that the amount of plastic in the Atlantic Ocean has been massively underestimated. She urged policymakers to take action to prevent plastic from reaching the oceans and endangering marine life. Pabortsava also highlighted the need for a better understanding of the sources of plastic pollution and its behavior in the water. The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of research on ocean plastic pollution and its potential harms to both marine and human health.
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Pollution impacts marine life and the food chain
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean globally. It has two garbage patches, in the North and South, consisting of floating plastic, litter, and debris. The Atlantic Ocean is more susceptible to inland plastic pollution due to its access to major rivers such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo.
Marine pollution is defined by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as: "the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment … which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life."
Marine pollution has a detrimental impact on marine life and ecosystems. Fish and other marine animals can become tangled in debris and injured, and some may mistake plastic bags for food and eat them. Small organisms, such as plankton, feed on microplastics, absorbing the toxic chemicals into their tissues. These chemicals then migrate up the food chain as larger animals consume the smaller organisms. This eventually ends up in the food that humans eat.
Oil spills are another source of pollution that can have devastating impacts on marine life. An oil spill in September 2019 affected over 3,000 km of the South Atlantic Ocean and around 1,000 Brazilian beaches.
Nonpoint source pollution, the biggest cause of ocean pollution, occurs when rainfall or snowmelt moves across the ground, picking up pollutants and depositing them into rivers and oceans. This type of pollution can come from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and timber harvest areas. Point source pollution, on the other hand, comes from a single source, such as an oil or chemical spill, and while it occurs less often, it can have large impacts.
Nitrogen-phosphorus pollution from agriculture, sewage, and urban and industrial runoff can cause harmful algal blooms that are toxic to wildlife and humans. These blooms can hurt local fishing and tourism industries.
Even chemicals banned decades ago, like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are still found in high concentrations in deep-sea creatures. These chemicals accumulate in marine organisms and become more concentrated as they move up the food chain, impacting the ability of species to reproduce and reducing offspring survival rates.
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Nonpoint source pollution is the biggest cause of ocean pollution
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It has two garbage patches, one in the North and one in the South, consisting of floating plastic, litter, and debris. The Atlantic Ocean is more susceptible to inland plastic pollution due to its access to major rivers such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo.
The effects of nonpoint source pollution are harmful to both humans and wildlife. It can make river and ocean water unsafe for consumption and recreation. It also adversely affects fisheries and wildlife, with over one-third of shellfish-growing waters in the United States suffering negative consequences.
To address nonpoint source pollution, agencies like NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency work together to monitor, assess, and limit this type of pollution. They collaborate with other federal and state agencies to develop strategies to control nonpoint source pollution, including creating special pollution control plans for coastal states.
While point source pollution, such as oil spills or chemical releases from factories, may have larger individual impacts, nonpoint source pollution is more pervasive and challenging to manage due to its diffuse nature.
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Frequently asked questions
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It contains two garbage patches, both in the North and South. There is at least 10 times more plastic polluting this ocean than originally thought.
The majority of pollutants that make their way into the ocean come from human activities along the coastlines and far inland. The biggest source of pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff from rainfall or snowmelt. This can come from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas.
Pollution has created dead zones, where it is no longer possible to support marine or plant life. Over 1/3 of the Atlantic Ocean has been negatively impacted by pollution, and it is a critical habitat for shellfish. Marine animals often mistake plastic for food, which they are unable to digest. This has also impacted the shellfish industry.
NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program is helping to create special nonpoint source pollution control plans for each coastal state participating in the program. The World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) has also brought together governments, businesses, and civil society to combat plastic pollution.
Heavy metals and other contaminants can accumulate in seafood, making it harmful for humans to consume. Microplastics can be ingested by fish and other species that filter their food out of the water.
