Greta Jimenez
Animals are extremely vulnerable to pollution, and it is estimated that pollution kills over 100,000 marine mammals every year. Pollution affects animals in a variety of ways, from entanglement and injury to ingestion and toxic contamination. Air pollution can harm wildlife by affecting the quality of their environment and food supply, while plastic pollution can cause the deaths of over a million seabirds annually. Animals are also affected by the accumulation of pollutants in their tissues, which can cause organ injury, increased vulnerability to diseases, and even death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pollution | Plastic pollution, air pollution, water pollution |
| Source of pollution | Human activities, factories, runoff, oil spills, chemical spills, faulty factories, waste management, natural events |
| Impact on animals | Entanglement, ingestion, intestinal injury and death, infections, liver and cell damage, reproductive issues, intestinal blockage, internal bleeding, organ failure |
| Animals affected | Marine animals, terrestrial animals, birds, fish, marine mammals, whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, land mammals (elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, cattle), rare species (humpback dolphins), soil fauna (mites, larvae) |
| Number of animals affected | Estimated 100,000 marine mammals killed annually, 800+ marine and coastal species impacted by entanglement, 86% of all sea turtle species impacted by microplastics, 44% of seabird species impacted by microplastics, 43% of marine mammal species impacted by microplastics |
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What You'll Learn
Ingesting plastic
Plastic ingestion is a significant threat to wildlife, with animals across the spectrum of life, from insects to marine mammals, ingesting plastic. This plastic leaches toxic chemicals and has been shown to alter the function of organs and even cells in humans. As plastic breaks down, it enters the bodies of living things, with microplastics—tiny particles no bigger than a grain of sand—and even nanoparticles being ingested by wildlife.
Plastic ingestion can cause intestinal injury and death, as well as transferring plastic up the food chain to bigger fish, marine mammals, and human seafood eaters. A study found that a quarter of fish at markets in California contained plastic in their guts, mostly in the form of plastic microfibers. Sea turtles, for example, can mistake floating plastic garbage for food and choke, sustain internal injuries, or die. They can also starve, as plastic reduces stomach volume and creates a false sense of fullness. Research indicates that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic.
Dead seabirds are often found with stomachs full of plastic, and it is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, with that number predicted to increase to 99% by 2050. Seabirds are at particular risk from microplastics, which they mistake for food. Ingested plastic can block their digestive tracts or pierce internal organs, leading to physical and hormonal damage to cells and organs.
Plastic ingestion has also been observed in land animals, with reported cases of elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle accidentally consuming plastic waste and dying as a result. In one instance, a wild elephant in India died from ingesting plastic discarded by pilgrims, with plastic blocking its intestines and causing internal bleeding and organ failure.
The impact of plastic ingestion on wildlife is far-reaching, with plastic reducing stomach volume, causing intestinal blockages and internal injuries, and leading to starvation and death. As plastic breaks down, it continues to pose a threat to living things, with microplastics and nanoparticles being ingested and causing harm.
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Entanglement in plastic
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. Every year, millions of pounds of plastic enter the oceans, with an estimated 11 million tonnes flowing into the oceans annually, and this number is projected to nearly triple by 2040. The United States is the world's third-largest contributor to marine plastic pollution.
Marine animals, including endangered species, are increasingly becoming entangled in plastic debris. Between 2009 and 2018, nearly 1,800 animals from 40 different species encountered plastic, with 88% listed as endangered or threatened. The affected species include Hawaiian monk seals, Stellar sea lions, manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, and more.
In addition to the physical harm caused by entanglement, plastic ingestion is also a critical concern. Marine animals may inadvertently swallow floating pieces of plastic while feeding or mistake them for food. Plastic bags, balloons, fishing lines, and food wrappers are commonly ingested items, causing internal injuries and impairing their ability to feed or digest food properly. In some cases, a single ingested plastic bag has been enough to contribute to an animal's death, as seen in a pygmy sperm whale found in New Jersey.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the individual animals affected. As plastic accumulates in the environment, it enters the food chain, increasing the concentration of pollutants in animals higher up the chain. This process, known as bioaccumulation, poses a significant threat to top-level predators such as eagles and bears.
Addressing the issue of plastic pollution requires a combined effort from governments and businesses. Companies must reduce the production of single-use plastics and provide plastic-free alternatives, while governments need to implement policies to limit the use of these harmful materials.
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Intestinal blockage
Intestinal obstructions in animals are functional or mechanical and result in a decrease or absence of feces. Functional obstructions are associated with altered intestinal motility, which can be caused by dietary or management factors, phytobezoars, parasitic infection, enteritis, peritonitis, or electrolyte abnormalities. Mechanical obstructions are physical blockages of ingesta and can be caused by abnormalities in the bowel lumen or bowel wall, or obstructions external to the GI tract.
Mechanical intestinal obstructions can be further classified as luminal or extraluminal. Extraluminal obstructions include strangulating obstructions, which occur when a portion of the GI tract twists or strangulates, causing a blockage. Luminal obstructions are caused by the presence of fibrous bands, such as adhesions or stalks of pedunculated lipomas, which are common in older horses.
In cattle, specific causes of intestinal obstruction include intussusceptions, which are thought to be the result of irregular peristaltic movements related to enteritis, intestinal parasitism, dietary disorders, and mural masses. Ingestion of a rapidly fermentable substrate may cause intestinal volvulus due to altered intestinal motility. Small intestine obstructions can also be caused by the presence of fibrous bands or adhesions.
Pollution can also cause intestinal issues in animals. For example, exposure to environmental chemical pollutants such as heavy metals and arsenic can alter the gut microbiome in animals, including rodents and toads, leading to potential health issues. Studies have shown that exposure to particulate matter (PM), a key pollutant in ambient air, can cause gut leakiness and enhance pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion into the small intestine in mice.
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![Proceedings of the 1979 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pollution Response Workshop, 8-10 May 1979, St. Petersburg, Florida 1979 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61p2VzyfGpL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Toxic algae blooms
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are the rapid growth of algae or cyanobacteria in water that can harm people, animals, and the environment. They can occur in fresh, salt, or brackish water and have been reported in all 50 states in the US, as well as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. HABs are becoming more common in freshwater ecosystems like rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, and they can have toxic effects on both animals and humans.
Algae are always present in natural bodies of water, and a few types produce toxins. A harmful algal bloom occurs when toxin-producing algae grow excessively in a body of water. Certain environmental conditions, such as warmer water temperatures in the summer and excessive nutrients from fertilizers or sewage waste, trigger HABs. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus running off into waterways, acts like fertilizer and promotes the growth of algae and bacteria.
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are the most common cause of HABs in freshwater. Cyanotoxins, toxins released during cyanobacterial algal blooms, have been linked to liver injury and the development of liver cancer. They can also interfere with women's reproductive health by disrupting gonadotropin-dependent follicle maturation and ovulation, potentially leading to irregular menstrual cycles and infertility issues.
HABs can have detrimental effects on aquatic life. They deplete oxygen in the water, killing fish and other creatures. HABs that bloom near the water surface can block sunlight from reaching organisms deeper in the water. The toxins released from HABs can cause large-scale fish kills and work their way up the food chain, impacting birds, mammals, and other wildlife that consume tainted grasses, shellfish, or fish. Animals that come into contact with harmful algae or cyanobacteria can become very sick or even die within hours.
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Microplastics in the food chain
The plastic industry has generated waste since the 1950s, with over 7800 million tonnes of plastic produced between 1950 and 2015. Much of this waste ends up in the aquatic environment, with plastic waste leaking into the world's water systems and spreading to remote areas. This has led to the widespread contamination of microplastics in the environment, including in the food chain.
Microplastics have been detected in the human and animal food chain, with research focusing on marine organisms and seafood in particular. A recent study in the US state of Oregon found microplastics in 98.9% of seafood samples. Microplastics have also been found in other foodstuffs, including honey, tea, sugar, fruit, and vegetables. They can enter the food chain through the use of plastic mulch and sludge application in agricultural farmland, as well as through textile production, consumer items, and health and personal care products.
The health impacts of microplastics are not yet fully understood, but studies indicate that they can have adverse effects on both human and animal health. Microplastics can damage tissues and carry other toxic chemicals and microorganisms, leading to potential health hazards such as gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, cancer, infertility, and neurotoxicity. They can also affect the environment, with the frequent occurrence of algal blooms and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can have negative effects on other organisms and animals.
The presence of microplastics in the food chain is a growing concern due to the durability of plastics in the environment. It is essential to address this issue through strict regulations and proper management of plastic use to ensure food safety and mitigate potential health risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine animals can die from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Plastic waste can cause intestinal injury and death, and can also transfer up the food chain to bigger fish, marine mammals and humans. It is estimated that 56% of the planet's whale, dolphin and porpoise species have consumed plastic.
Land animals, like marine animals, can suffer intestinal blockages and damage when they ingest plastic waste, which can be fatal. There have been many reported cases of land-based mammals, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle, accidentally consuming plastic waste.
HABs, also known as "red tides", can produce toxic effects that can affect marine life and sometimes even humans. When large amounts of algae sink and decompose in the water, the decomposition process consumes oxygen and depletes the supply available to healthy marine life. Many of the marine species that live in these areas die.
