Kiera Jefferson
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a grave threat to a multitude of animal species. From the majestic whales to the graceful sea turtles, countless creatures are suffering due to human negligence. Marine bacteria, which produce 10% of the oxygen we breathe, are also being affected by plastic pollution. The ingestion of plastic, either directly or indirectly through the food chain, has led to health issues and even death in various species, including seabirds, dolphins, and crabs. Endangered wildlife, such as the Hawaiian monk seal and the Steller sea lion, are facing additional risks due to entanglement in plastic debris. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond individual species, threatening entire ecosystems and the delicate balance of our planet's biodiversity. It is imperative that we address this crisis and work towards a future where wildlife and nature can thrive without the deadly presence of plastic pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of species affected | Over 123 marine mammal species, including 81 known to have eaten or been entangled in plastic |
| Percentage of species affected | 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, predicted to increase to 90% by 2050 |
| Number of animals killed | Estimated 100,000 marine mammals killed by plastic pollution each year |
| Types of animals affected | Seabirds, sea turtles, seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins, porpoises, crabs, fish, marine bacteria, and more |
| Causes of harm | Ingestion of plastic, entanglement in plastic debris or abandoned fishing gear, choking, internal injury, starvation, stunted growth, reduced kidney function, infection, drowning |
| Most affected species | Hawaiian monk seals, Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, Steller sea lions, flesh-footed shearwaters, Hawksbill turtles, humpback dolphins |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion is harmful to whales and dolphins
Plastic ingestion is extremely harmful to whales and dolphins. Whales and dolphins, collectively known as cetaceans, are vulnerable to plastic ingestion due to their feeding methods, which range from filtering to hunting. With high amounts of plastic floating in their habitats, ingestion is almost inevitable.
Whales are particularly susceptible to plastic ingestion due to their large mouths and feeding habits. Some whales, such as sperm whales, feed on small organisms like plankton or squid, which can be confused with plastic debris. Deep-diving species, such as beaked whales, are also at risk as they feed in highly polluted areas, making it difficult to avoid ingesting plastic along with their prey. In 2018, two sperm whales were found with 79 pounds of plastic in their stomachs, and in another case, a stranded whale had ingested 135 plastic items, the highest number recorded.
Dolphins are also affected by plastic ingestion, with microplastics found in the blow (exhalations) of bottlenose dolphins in Florida and Louisiana. This confirms that their airways are contaminated, which can lead to tissue damage and inflammation, potentially causing diseases. Dolphins may also ingest plastic through chewing or playing with plastic materials, as observed in a young sperm whale in an episode of Blue Planet II.
The ingestion of plastic can lead to gastric obstructions and block the digestive tracts of whales and dolphins, causing starvation and even death. Additionally, microplastics can break down into toxic chemical compounds, which can disrupt the development and reproductive health of these marine mammals. The presence of plastic in their stomachs can also be a vector for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like DDT, which can enter their bodies and accumulate in their blubber.
Overall, the ingestion of plastic by whales and dolphins has severe consequences for their health and survival, highlighting the urgent need to address plastic pollution in our oceans.
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Plastic entanglement is deadly for seals and sea lions
Plastic pollution in the ocean has become a global crisis, with a direct and deadly impact on wildlife. Marine debris, such as plastic, has been shown to adversely impact at least 260 marine species, including marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds.
Plastic entanglement is a significant cause of injury and death for seals and sea lions, a group of marine mammals called pinnipeds. They can become entangled in active fishing gear and other plastic marine debris, such as plastic packing bands, large rubber bands from pot fisheries, garbage, and balloons. This entanglement may result in serious injury and death through various mechanisms, including wounds, increased energy expenditure, and drowning.
The Steller sea lion, for example, is particularly vulnerable to plastic entanglement, with packing bands being the most common entangling material. Other species at risk include the Northern fur seal, the Harbor seal, and the Ringed seal. Responding to entangled seals and sea lions can be challenging due to logistical constraints, such as the inaccessibility of the animal or the ability of the captured animal to swim long distances.
In addition to the physical harm caused by entanglement, seals and sea lions may also suffer indirect consequences, such as starvation, as their stomachs can become filled with plastic, leaving no room for actual nourishment.
The impact of plastic pollution on these marine mammals highlights the urgent need to address the plastic crisis in our oceans. It is crucial to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic materials to protect these vulnerable species and ensure the health of marine ecosystems.
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Seabirds are dying from eating plastic
Seabirds are among the many species of wildlife that are endangered by plastic pollution. Seabirds, in particular, are highly susceptible to ingesting plastic, which can lead to their deaths in several ways.
Firstly, adult seabirds often mistake plastic debris for prey, such as krill and fish eggs, due to their similar appearance and smell. This mistake is especially common among surface-feeding seabirds like albatrosses, which feed by skimming low over the water. When adult birds return to their nests with plastic, their chicks may also ingest it, as they are unable to regurgitate the plastic pieces and can starve to death as the plastic reduces the volume of their stomachs. In fact, approximately one-third of albatross chicks die every year due to plastic ingestion.
Secondly, ingesting plastic can cause various health issues in seabirds, including stunted growth, reduced body mass, shorter wings and bills, and impaired kidney function. These health problems decrease their chances of survival in the wild. Additionally, once the plastic scars the stomach, the damage is irreversible.
The problem of plastic ingestion among seabirds has grown exponentially. In the 1960s, less than 5% of seabirds were found with plastic in their stomachs, but this number increased to over 80% by the 1980s. It is now estimated that 90% of seabirds have ingested plastic, and by 2050, it is projected that 99% of seabird species will be ingesting plastic. This alarming trend is due to the sheer scale of global plastic production and the persistence of plastic in the environment.
While some countries, like Canada, the United Kingdom, Barbados, and those in the European Union, have taken steps to reduce single-use plastics, the current measures may not be sufficient to curb the problem. To protect seabirds and other wildlife from the deadly effects of plastic pollution, it is crucial to reduce plastic production and promote recycling and the reduction of single-use plastics.
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Marine bacteria are affected by plastic pollution
Marine bacteria are essential to the marine food web, photosynthetic primary production, and biogeochemical cycling. However, they are also affected by plastic pollution.
Scientists from Macquarie University in Australia reported that plastic pollution interfered with the growth, photosynthesis, and oxygen production of Prochlorococcus, a photosynthetic bacterial primary producer. These bacteria are critical, as they produce 10% of the oxygen we breathe. Plastic pollution can also provide a surface for bacteria to colonize and a source of dissolved organic carbon to metabolize. However, plastics can also leach organic compounds and metals that negatively impact the growth of microorganisms, including marine bacteria, larvae, and algae.
Indeed, plastic pollution has been shown to have adverse effects on a wider range of organisms than previously thought, including marine microbes. Microplastics, in particular, are ingested by different kinds of marine organisms and are widely distributed in every sub-zone/layer of coastal and marine systems. They are also found in commonly manufactured products, such as personal care and cosmetic products, and can accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals that have eaten contaminated species.
As plastic production continues to grow, it is essential to understand the impact of plastic pollution on marine bacteria and other organisms to protect the delicate marine ecosystem and the animals that inhabit it.
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Sea turtles are endangered by plastic pollution
Sea turtles, which have existed for over 100 million years, are now under threat from plastic pollution. This is a new challenge for the species, which has survived mass extinctions and outlived the dinosaurs. Sea turtles are impacted by plastic pollution in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement.
Sea turtles often mistake plastic for their natural food sources, such as jellyfish, and ingest it. They can also accidentally eat plastic that is present among their natural food, such as crustaceans. Research has shown that all seven species of sea turtles have ingested plastic, and scientists estimate that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic. Plastic ingestion can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, and trick turtles into feeling full when they are not, resulting in sickness or even death. In some cases, plastic has been known to pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding.
Sea turtles can also become entangled in plastic debris, such as lost or discarded fishing nets or six-pack rings, which can be deadly. A study by the University of Exeter found that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. Additionally, adult sea turtles may struggle to find suitable nesting places due to plastic debris on beaches, and hatchlings can get caught in the debris as they make their way to the ocean.
Plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant problem, with an estimated 5–13 million metric tons of plastic waste entering the oceans annually. This waste accumulates in certain areas, such as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" in the North Pacific Gyre, which is estimated to contain 3.5 million tons of trash. Sea turtles, like many other marine species, are affected by plastic pollution throughout their lives and in various habitats, both near the coast and in the open ocean.
While the situation is dire, there is some hope. There is a growing movement of people, organizations, governments, and businesses working to address plastic pollution. Individuals can also play a role in reducing plastic waste by investing in reusable containers, refusing single-use plastic, and picking up trash when they see it. By taking action, we can help protect sea turtles and other marine life from the devastating impacts of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution affects a wide range of animals, from marine bacteria to humans. Marine life such as whales, dolphins, seabirds, seals, sea lions, crabs, corals, and fish are all impacted by plastic in the ocean.
Plastic pollution can affect animals in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Marine animals can accidentally ingest plastic, mistaking it for prey, or consuming it indirectly through the food chain. Plastic ingestion can cause internal injuries, choke the animal, or lead to starvation as the stomach fills up with indigestible plastic. Entanglement in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing gear, can cause injury, limit movement, and lead to drowning.
Endangered wildlife like the Hawaiian monk seal, Steller sea lion, and Pacific loggerhead sea turtle are among the nearly 700 species that ingest or get entangled in plastic litter. Other vulnerable species include the humpback dolphin, flesh-footed shearwater, and Hawksbill Turtle, whose populations have declined due to plastic pollution and overfishing.
To reduce the impact of plastic pollution on endangered animals, it is essential to reduce single-use plastics, recycle, and support initiatives advocating for the regulation of plastics as hazardous pollutants. Joining organizations like Oceana Canada and the Center for Biological Diversity can help lend your voice to the cause and push for global change.
