Water Pollution's Deadly Impact On Wildlife

Water pollution is a critical issue that poses a significant threat to aquatic animals, pushing them towards extinction. From toxic chemicals to plastic litter, pollution is pervasive in our oceans, rivers, and wetlands, endangering the creatures that call these places home. The impact of human activity on the environment is far-reaching, and the consequences for wildlife are dire. This is particularly true for water-based animals, who often receive less attention and sympathy than their land-based counterparts. As a result, species such as fish, mussels, crayfish, and amphibians are suffering, with many facing an uncertain future.

Whales are poisoned by herbicides and pesticides

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life, with plastic being one of the most prominent pollutants. It is pervasive in almost every aspect of human life, and the improper disposal of plastic has led to the suffering and endangerment of countless marine animals. The impact of water pollution extends beyond marine creatures, as seabirds are also at risk. According to estimates by UNESCO, one million seabirds fall victim to plastic pollution annually.

Among the marine animals affected by water pollution, whales stand out as they occupy a unique position at the pinnacle of the food chain. This apex predator status makes them particularly susceptible to accumulating toxins in their bodies. Southern Resident killer whales, in particular, have been identified as the most contaminated wild creatures on the planet. These whales feed on Chinook salmon, which inhabit polluted ocean waters and rivers contaminated by agriculture, pulp mills, other industries, military bases, and urban runoff. As a result, the whales ingest high levels of toxicants, including herbicides and pesticides, that have accumulated in their prey.

The concentration of toxic chemicals, such as PCBs, DDT, and brominated flame retardants, increases as they move up the food chain, from prey to predator. This phenomenon is known as biomagnification. As whales are at the top of the food chain, the toxins consumed by their prey are magnified in their bodies, leading to severe health consequences. These toxic chemicals can cause a range of serious illnesses and diseases, not only in the whales but also in other marine organisms and even humans who consume seafood.

The impact of herbicides and pesticides on whale populations is concerning, with Southern Resident killer whales facing a particularly high risk of extinction. Their numbers have declined significantly, and they have been listed as endangered in the United States and Canada. Efforts to protect these whales have been made, and they were designated one of NOAA's Species in the Spotlight in 2015 due to their high risk of extinction. Scientists are working to understand the factors contributing to the whales' endangerment and are developing strategies to mitigate these risks.

It is important to address the issue of toxic chemicals entering the food web and to ensure the availability of high-quality prey for the whales. By reducing the use of harmful herbicides and pesticides and implementing measures to protect and restore whale habitats, we can help safeguard these majestic creatures from the detrimental effects of water pollution.

Turtles are threatened by coral reef destruction

Water pollution, caused by human activities, is a significant threat to marine life. Plastic pollution, in particular, has led to the suffering and death of many aquatic animals, including seabirds and marine mammals.

Turtles are among the species at risk of extinction due to water pollution and other human activities. While climate change poses a significant threat to turtles, coral reef destruction also endangers these ancient mariners.

Sea turtles have existed on Earth for around 100 million years and are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems. They are highly migratory, swimming thousands of ocean miles during their lifetimes. Sea turtles play an essential role in maintaining the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, which benefit commercially valuable species such as shrimp, lobster, and tuna.

Coral reefs are home to hawksbill turtles, which feed on a specific group of sea sponges. This diet helps control sponge growth, allowing other types of sponges and corals to grow and increasing the biodiversity of the reef. Without hawksbills, sponges can overgrow and suffocate slow-growing corals. As coral reefs face increasing threats from climate change, the role of hawksbills in maintaining reef health becomes even more critical.

Human activities, such as uncontrolled coastal development, vehicle traffic on beaches, and beach restoration projects, have directly impacted sea turtle nesting beaches worldwide. Additionally, activities onshore, including sedimentation from land clearing and nutrient runoff from agriculture, damage and destroy sea turtle feeding grounds like coral reefs and seagrass beds.

The destruction of coral reefs and other human-induced threats endanger sea turtles and disrupt the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Protecting and conserving sea turtles and coral reefs is crucial for the long-term health and sustainability of these ecosystems.

Seals are harmed by melting ice

While seals can be found in a variety of locations worldwide, the Hawaiian Monk seal is unique to the waters off Hawaii. Since the 1980s, pollution has been a significant factor in the steep decline of their population. However, the focus of your query is on the impact of melting ice on seals.

Ringed Seals

Ringed seals (Phoca (pusa) hispida) are the most abundant seals in the Arctic and rely on ice year-round to mate, give birth, rest, and nurse their young. As the ice melts in the Arctic due to climate change, they lose a vital part of their habitat. The changing ice conditions are likely to increase seal pup mortality rates as they may be forced into the water before they are independent from their mothers and able to feed on their own. If these young seals are not strong enough, they could be killed and eaten by predators such as sharks or killer whales, or they may drown.

The Arctic has now lost 95% of its 'old ice' (ice that is at least five years old), leaving only 1% as old ice, with the rest being younger and weaker. Ringed seals also require snow accumulation to form deep snow drifts where they can dig their lairs. As Arctic temperatures continue to rise at more than twice the rate of global average temperatures, Arctic snowfall is predicted to decline further, which does not bode well for ringed seal populations.

Guadalupe Fur Seals

Guadalupe fur seals live and breed on small rocky islands off the coast of southern California and Mexico. These areas are susceptible to warming waters, ocean acidification, and harmful algal blooms, which are increasing due to climate change. These seals primarily eat squid and may struggle to adapt their diet as prey availability changes. From 2015 to 2021, more than 700 seals, particularly younger animals, showed signs of malnutrition and weakened immune systems.

Harp Seals

Harp seals migrate south after summer in their northern feeding grounds. Some adults stop at breeding grounds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence or along the coast of Newfoundland, while others, mostly immature seals and adult males, continue further south. Since 1991, over 3,000 sick or dead harp seals have been found stranded on U.S. beaches as far south as New England and the mid-Atlantic. These stranded seals are often yearlings, which are smaller, weaker, and less able to fend for themselves.

Other Ice-Dependent Seals

Several other species of seals depend on ice for at least part of the year, including bearded seals, spotted seals, ribbon seals, and hooded seals. These seals use the ice to rest, breed, nurse and rear pups, molt, and avoid predators. As ice continues to decrease across the Arctic, these species will need to adapt to the changing environment to survive.

Seabirds mistake plastic for food

Marine life is suffering due to pollution in the ocean, and plastic is perhaps the biggest pollutant. It is cheap to produce and profitable, but the improper disposal of plastic is leading to the suffering of marine animals. Climate change is also a significant factor, with rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and the disappearance of low-lying beaches altering the lives and safety of aquatic animals.

Seabirds, in particular, are extremely vulnerable to plastic pollution. Seabirds are birds that live primarily on the ocean, spending most of their lives over the open ocean and far away from humans. They possess unique adaptations, such as waterproof feathers, that help with buoyancy and provide insulation. However, they are not immune to the threats posed by plastic pollution.

The presence of plastic in the oceans poses a significant danger to seabirds, who often mistake plastic debris for prey. Brightly coloured plastic pieces can be misidentified by seabirds as fish eggs or other sources of food. This mistake has dire consequences, as the ingested plastic reduces the volume of the bird's stomach, often leading to starvation. It is estimated that one million seabirds die from plastic ingestion each year, and the problem is growing exponentially. In the 1960s, less than 5% of birds had plastic in their stomachs, but by the 1980s, this number had increased to over 80%. It is projected that by 2050, a staggering 99% of seabird species will be ingesting plastic.

The impact of plastic pollution on seabirds can be seen in various locations, including the Midway Atoll, a remote group of islands in the northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago and home to the world's largest albatross colony. Despite its isolation, Midway Atoll is severely affected by plastic pollution, with an estimated 100 pounds of plastic washing up every week. This pollution has devastating effects on the albatross population, as adults inadvertently feed plastic pieces to their chicks, who are unable to regurgitate them and often die as a result.

The threat of plastic ingestion is not limited to adult seabirds; even juveniles that are too young to hunt on their own are at risk. Chicks that ingest plastic brought to the nest by their parents are less likely to survive to adulthood. Additionally, plastic pollution accumulates in the tissues of seabirds, impacting their survival, growth, development, reproductive output, and physiology. The presence of plastic in the oceans has grown from an incidental observation to a global phenomenon, and it is essential that we address this issue to protect seabirds and other marine wildlife.

Sharks are endangered by fishing nets

Marine life is suffering due to pollution in the oceans, from oils and chemicals to plastics. Climate change is also impacting aquatic animals, with rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and the disappearance of low-lying beaches altering their lives and safety. In the next century, many species could be at risk of extinction, including blue whales, hawksbill turtles, and ringed seals.

Sharks are among the marine animals that are particularly endangered by human activities. More than one-third of all sharks are now at risk of extinction because of overfishing, according to a study re-assessing their IUCN Red List of Threatened Species extinction risk status. The high market value of shark products, such as fins, meat, and leather, has led to a boom in black-market fishing, which operates outside of regulatory standards and often targets critically endangered species. Shark finning, in particular, is the number one killer of sharks, with estimates suggesting that between 73 and 273 million sharks are killed every year by this practice.

Large mesh drift gillnets, which can be up to a mile and a half long and extend 200 feet below the ocean surface, are commonly used to catch swordfish and thresher sharks. However, these nets also entangle and kill at least 60 other marine species, including whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, and sharks. Most of these animals, referred to as bycatch, are discarded to die. While legislation has been proposed to address this issue, such as the bill passed by the House and Senate in 2020, it has faced vetoes and opposition.

To protect sharks from the dangers of fishing nets, individuals can play a role by avoiding the consumption of shark products and supporting legislation that targets shark fishing and finning. Additionally, it is crucial to educate others about the threats to shark populations and reduce market demand for these products. Conservation efforts, such as those led by the WWF, are also working to address overfishing and improve fisheries management through various approaches, including assisting governments with National Plans of Action for Sharks and advocating for improved conservation measures.

The situation is critical, and if we fail to act now, we risk losing these predators that play such an important role in maintaining ocean health.

Frequently asked questions