Bronte Wells
Pollution poses a significant threat to sea animals, with plastic waste being a major contributor. The oceans are inundated with plastic pollution, from the surface to the deepest depths, and it has detrimental effects on marine life. From seabirds to whales and tiny seahorses to large apex predators, all are at risk of ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it, leading to injuries, starvation, and death. The toxic chemicals in plastics can also bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of animals, causing further health issues. Marine debris, including plastic pollution, threatens the habitats and navigation safety of sea animals and can even impact their reproduction. With plastic's durability and persistence in the environment, it has become a global crisis, endangering countless species and disrupting natural ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic pollution in oceans | Billions of pounds of plastic in 40% of ocean surfaces |
| Plastic ingestion by marine animals | 800 species affected worldwide, including seabirds, whales, fish, seals, sea turtles, and marine mammals |
| Plastic entanglement | Endangered species like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are affected, leading to injury and mortality |
| Plastic impact on reproduction | Plastic on beaches affects sea turtle reproduction rates by altering sand temperatures |
| Microplastics | Found in mussels, oysters, and other seafood; can adsorb toxins and transfer to fatty tissues of organisms |
| Oil spills | Damage seabird feathers, making them sick over time |
| Ocean acidification | Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean, changing the acidity and impacting sea animals |
| Marine debris | Includes derelict fishing gear, which can entangle and kill wildlife, damage habitats, and interfere with navigation safety |
| Pollution sources | Land-based: runoff, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, agriculture; Marine-based: paint shed from shipping, discarded fishing gear |
| Plastic production | Over 460 million metric tons produced annually, with single-use products contributing significantly |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
Sea turtles, in particular, struggle to differentiate plastic from their prey, often ingesting plastic bags and balloons, which can get stuck in their digestive systems. A recent study found that sea turtles that ingest just 14 pieces of plastic have an increased risk of death. Young turtles are especially at risk as they tend to drift with currents, similar to plastic.
Plastics can also affect apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas through the cumulative impact of microplastics in the food chain and the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals. Microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, leading to potential health risks for humans as well, as these toxins can enter the human food chain.
Overall, plastic ingestion poses a severe threat to marine wildlife, leading to physical harm, toxic contamination, and even death. The pervasive nature of plastic pollution in the oceans underscores the urgent need for action to address this pressing issue.
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Entanglement in plastic debris
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a direct threat to marine life. Entanglement in plastic debris is one of the primary dangers that pollution poses to sea animals. Marine animals, such as sea turtles, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and whales, can become entangled in plastic waste, leading to severe consequences.
Sea turtles, for example, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement. They may mistake floating plastic garbage for food, leading to choking, internal injuries, or a false sense of fullness that results in starvation. Large leatherback sea turtles, which can weigh over a ton, require specialized techniques for disentanglement, similar to those used for large whales.
Smaller marine animals, such as seals, dolphins, and smaller whales, face an immediate risk of drowning when entangled in plastic debris. The weight and size of the gear or plastic waste can be overwhelming for these smaller creatures. Even for larger whales, entanglement can lead to exhaustion and infection, making it a leading cause of human-induced mortality in whale species like right whales, humpback whales, and gray whales.
The problem of entanglement extends beyond the immediate physical dangers. Plastic packing loops, for instance, can tighten and cut into the flesh of animals as they grow, creating what is known as "lethal necklaces," which can lead to strangulation. Additionally, entanglement can cause injuries and mortality in endangered species such as the Steller sea lion, with packing bands being the most common entangling material found in their habitats.
The presence of plastic debris in the ocean is a human-made crisis that demands urgent attention. The impact of entanglement on marine life is devastating, and the danger is heightened for endangered species. Efforts to address this issue, such as the Large Whale Entanglement Response Network and the work of organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity, are crucial steps towards mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.
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Plastic pollution affecting reproduction
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a grave threat to marine life. The ocean, with its vast expanse, is particularly vulnerable to plastic waste. Once plastic enters the sea, it spreads far and wide, carried by waves and currents to even the most remote regions. The impact of plastic pollution on sea animals is extensive, and one of the critical aspects is its effect on their reproduction.
Sea turtles are among the most affected by plastic pollution, and this extends to their reproduction rates. Research indicates that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic. As they often feed on invertebrates like jellyfish or sponges, they frequently mistake clear plastic sheets, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, for their prey. This ingestion of plastic can lead to digestive tract obstructions and, in some cases, positive buoyancy, making it difficult for them to dive and feed. As a result, sea turtles may starve, become vulnerable to predators, or struggle to reproduce. Additionally, plastic pollution on beaches can alter the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs, further impacting their reproduction rates.
Seabirds are another group significantly impacted by plastic pollution. They often mistake floating plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion. This ingestion of plastic can cause internal injuries and make it challenging for them to digest food properly. Consequently, seabirds may struggle to obtain the necessary nutrients for themselves and their offspring, potentially affecting their reproductive success. Additionally, the toxins absorbed by microplastics can transfer to the fatty tissues of seabirds, leading to toxic contamination.
Plastic pollution also affects the reproduction of marine mammals, including critically endangered species like the Hawaiian monk seal. Large amounts of plastic debris have been found in their habitats, including areas designated as pup nurseries. The ingestion of plastic and entanglement in plastic debris can lead to injuries, infections, and mortality, directly impacting their ability to reproduce and care for their young.
Furthermore, plastic pollution contributes to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals in the food chain. Microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, and these toxins build up in the fatty tissues of animals as they consume contaminated prey. This biomagnification means that apex predators, such as great white sharks and orcas, are at risk of accumulating high concentrations of toxins, which can have detrimental effects on their reproductive health.
The far-reaching consequences of plastic pollution on the reproduction of sea animals underscore the urgency of addressing this issue. It is essential to focus on prevention, minimizing plastic leakage, reducing consumption, promoting recycling, and advocating for policies that treat plastic pollution as the hazardous waste it is. By taking collective action, we can protect the diverse marine life that calls the ocean home.
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Plastic carrying pathogens and toxins
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the health and safety of sea animals. One of the ways in which this occurs is through plastics carrying pathogens and toxins.
Microplastics, in particular, serve as a pathway for pathogens to reach the ocean from land. A study by the University of California, Davis, found that microplastics can carry land-based pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium (Crypto), and Giardia, which are recognised by the World Health Organization as causes of illness from shellfish consumption. These microplastics can float along the surface of the water, spreading pathogens far from their land-based sources. Alternatively, plastics that sink may concentrate pathogens in the benthos environment, near the bottom of the sea, where filter-feeding animals like zooplankton, clams, mussels, oysters, and abalone live, increasing the likelihood of their ingestion. The introduction of these pathogens into the ocean can alter natural food webs and introduce deadly parasites to marine life.
In addition to carrying pathogens, plastics can also absorb and carry toxins. A single plastic particle can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the water around it. These toxins can then transfer to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest the plastics, leading to toxic contamination. The accumulation of toxins in the fatty tissues of animals is known as biomagnification, and it occurs when animals eat other contaminated species. As a result, the higher up the food chain an animal is, the greater the concentration of toxins in its body. This poses a significant threat to marine apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas, which are vulnerable to the cumulative impact of microplastics and the bioaccumulation of toxins in the food chain.
The presence of pathogens and toxins on plastics has severe consequences for the health of both marine wildlife and humans. It is essential to address this issue and reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans to protect the diverse array of species that call it home.
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Oil spills damaging wildlife
Oil spills can be incredibly damaging to wildlife, causing both immediate and long-term problems for marine and coastal ecosystems. When oil enters a body of water, it can have chronic effects on wildlife, and direct mortality may be widespread. The magnitude of harm caused is influenced by several factors, including the amount of time an animal is exposed to the oil, the size of the animal, and the type of oil.
Oil spills can impact wildlife through ingestion, absorption, and inhalation. When animals swallow oil directly or consume prey that has been exposed to oil, it can cause physical harm and even death. Oil can also be absorbed through the skin, damaging the liver and kidneys, causing anemia, and suppressing the immune system. Inhalation of volatile chemicals released by oil floating on the surface is particularly dangerous for species that need to breathe air, such as manatees, dolphins, and whales.
Some of the most conspicuous effects of oil spills are seen in larger species of wildlife, such as marine mammals and seabirds. For example, oil destroys the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals, such as sea otters, and the water repellency of bird feathers, exposing them to harsh elements and leading to hypothermia. Juvenile sea turtles are also at risk, as they can become trapped in oil and mistake it for food.
In addition to direct impacts on wildlife, oil spills can also have indirect effects by causing changes in behavior and disrupting life cycles. Animals may need to relocate their home ranges as they search for new sources of food. Additionally, eggs, larvae, and juveniles of many species are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of oil, and disruptions at these early life stages can have long-lasting impacts on the ability of a species to recover.
The use of dispersants to clean up oil spills may further increase the harmful effects on wildlife. While dispersants can reduce the inhalation of toxic materials, they can also cause oil particles to disperse deeper into the water column, harming benthic animals in deeper waters.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution has been shown to harm sea animals in a variety of ways. Plastic can be ingested by marine animals, causing intestinal injuries and death. It can also restrict the growth of sea animals, and cause starvation. Marine animals can also get entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury and death.
Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, causing choking, internal injury, and death. Plastic pollution has also been found in the habitat of critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals, and has led to the entanglement and injury of the endangered Steller sea lion. In another example, a dead albatross chick was found with plastic debris in its stomach.
To address plastic pollution, there have been efforts to reduce plastic production, phase out harmful subsidies, and eliminate products and chemicals that are harmful to the environment. There is also a focus on preventing plastic leakage into the natural environment, making plastics less toxic, and increasing the likelihood that plastics can be reused, repurposed, or recycled.
