Brian Barton
Ocean pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. Animals that live in the ocean are dying due to the harmful effects of pollution, including plastic waste, toxic chemicals, and other pollutants. The impact of ocean pollution on marine animals is widespread and devastating, with an estimated 100,000 marine animals killed annually due to plastic ingestion or entanglement. This paragraph will explore the topic of animal deaths caused by ocean pollution, highlighting the devastating consequences for various species and the urgent need for addressing this global crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of death | Ingestion of plastic, entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear, starvation, suffocation, infection, skin irritation, poisoning, cancer |
| Animals affected | Marine mammals (e.g. whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions), seabirds, fish, sharks, turtles, manatees, pelicans, sea grass beds, otters, walruses, polar bears |
| Number of deaths | It is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine animals each year. However, this is likely an underestimate as many animals may be at the bottom of the ocean. Plastic debris alone causes the deaths of over 1 million seabirds annually. |
| Human impact | Poor waste management, agricultural runoff, industrial waste, harmful fishing practices, noise pollution, ocean drilling, marine exploration, ship traffic, climate change |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion by sea turtles
Marine mammals, including sea turtles, are dying due to ocean pollution. While it is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution, it is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals annually. All seven species of sea turtles are affected by plastic pollution.
Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food. For example, they may mistake a plastic bag for a jellyfish or accidentally eat a plastic straw along with crustaceans. Sea turtles are also attracted to the smell of marine plastics, likely due to the organisms that attach themselves to the plastic debris. As a result, scientists estimate that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic.
When sea turtles eat plastic, it can cause physical damage to their intestines, leading to intestinal blockages and leaving turtles unable to feed, resulting in starvation. The ingested plastic can also rupture their internal organs. Even if they survive, consuming plastic can make turtles unnaturally buoyant, which can stunt their growth and lead to slow reproduction rates.
The ingestion of plastic is particularly dangerous for young sea turtles, as they spend their early years floating with ocean currents and eating other organisms that float with the currents. Plastic waste is transported by these same ocean currents, putting young turtles at a higher risk of ingestion.
Hundreds of organizations are working to combat plastic pollution through cleanups, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns. Individuals can also help by reducing their use of single-use plastics, properly disposing of waste, and picking up loose plastic waste.
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Whales dying due to plastic ingestion
Marine mammals, including whales, are suffering due to plastic pollution in the ocean. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution, it is estimated that 100,000 marine mammals die each year due to plastic pollution. This includes dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, and fish.
Whales, in particular, are vulnerable to the ingestion of plastic waste. They feed on squid and use a sophisticated sonar-like technique called echolocation to find their prey. However, plastic waste can confuse this sonar and be misinterpreted as food. As a result, whales may ingest plastic bags and other disposable plastic products, leading to internal injuries and death.
The impact of plastic ingestion on whales can be devastating. In one case, a young male Cuvier beaked whale, measuring 15 feet long and weighing 1,100 pounds, was found in the Davao Gulf of the Philippines with over 88 pounds of plastic waste in its stomach. The whale starved to death as its stomach was filled with plastic instead of food. The plastic waste also caused dehydration and internal injuries as the whale's stomach acid wore holes through its stomach lining.
Another tragic case involved a pregnant pygmy sperm whale that stranded near Melbourne. An autopsy revealed that its stomach was clogged with ingested plastic, leading to its death. Additionally, a sperm whale stranded on a Spanish beach died due to inflammation of its abdominal tissues caused by nearly 30 kilograms of indigestible plastic, including shopping bags, fishing nets, and a jerry can.
The problem of plastic ingestion by whales is widespread, with cases reported in Spain, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The Philippines, in particular, is a significant contributor to plastic waste, with waterways thick with trash due to a lack of enforcement of existing laws aimed at curbing plastic pollution. As a result, whales and other marine animals in the region are at an increased risk of ingesting plastic.
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Marine mammals dying from entanglement in plastic
Marine mammals are dying due to entanglement in plastic, which is a growing concern. It is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals annually, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have ingested or become entangled in plastic. One of the primary sources of entanglement is abandoned fishing gear, with an estimated 640,000 tonnes of "ghost fishing equipment" entering the oceans each year. This gear can include nets, lines, and other types of ropes, which can ensnare marine mammals and lead to drowning, infection, or physical trauma.
Young seals and sea lion pups are particularly vulnerable to entanglement, as they may play with and become entangled in packing bands or other plastic debris. This can result in horrific wounds and expose the animals to infections. Rare species, such as the humpback dolphin found in the waters of Australia and New Guinea, have also been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around their bodies.
The problem of plastic pollution in the oceans is a global one, with the United States being a significant contributor. A report by Oceana found that nearly 1,800 marine animals in U.S. waters were affected by plastic entanglement and ingestion. The report also noted that the true number is likely much higher, as it is challenging to compile data on all impacted marine animals.
The ingestion of plastic by marine mammals is another critical issue, with plastic consumption being the most prevalent problem in the animal cases reviewed by Oceana. Plastic can obstruct digestion, lacerate intestines, and interfere with the animal's ability to feed and obtain nourishment, leading to starvation and death.
To address this issue, organizations like NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources work to prevent entanglements and rescue entangled animals. They develop specialized tools and techniques to safely disentangle whales and other marine mammals from life-threatening entanglements. Additionally, satellite transmitters and receivers are used to track entangled animals over time, aiding in relocation and further intervention.
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Seabirds dying from ingesting plastic
Marine mammals are not the only victims of ocean pollution; seabirds are also dying due to plastic ingestion. In the 1960s, less than 5% of birds were found with plastic in their stomachs, but by the 1980s, this number had jumped to over 80%. It is predicted that by 2050, 99% of seabird species will be ingesting plastic. This is because plastic debris contains a wide range of additives and toxic chemicals, such as organotins, triclosan, phthalates, brominated flame retardants, bisphenols, and diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), which can have detrimental effects on the health of these birds.
Seabirds, such as albatrosses, often mistake plastic debris for prey, which they then feed to their chicks. The chicks are unable to regurgitate the plastic pieces, and many die as a result. Even millimeter-thick microplastics can cause significant harm as they churn in a bird's stomach. Researchers have coined the term "plasticosis" to describe the severe stomach damage caused by ingesting plastic. Flesh-footed shearwaters, in particular, have been found to have doll arms, toy fish, and plastic pieces in their stomachs.
Plasticosis does not directly cause the death of birds, but it does affect their growth, nutrition, and overall health. It causes irreversible stomach scarring, reducing the volume of the stomach and leading to starvation. The presence of plastic in their stomachs triggers a "maelstrom of compounding sublethal impacts," according to Charlton-Howard. It takes up space in the birds' stomachs, leaving less room for nutrients. As a result, the birds feel less hungry, and their ability to transport food back to their nests is hindered.
The problem of plastic pollution in the oceans is widespread, with plastic debris found on remote islands and in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles from land. It is estimated that 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic are currently in the oceans, with 170 trillion pieces floating on the ocean surface. This has led to the accumulation of plastic in the tissues of seabirds, with hundreds of thousands of seabirds ingesting plastic each year. It is estimated that one million birds die annually due to plastic ingestion.
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Manatees dying from pesticides and herbicides in the water
Marine mammals, including manatees, are dying due to ocean pollution. Plastic waste, entanglement in fishing nets, and ingestion of plastic debris are common causes of death for many marine species. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution, it is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals annually.
Manatees, also known as sea cows, are facing significant threats due to water pollution. One of the primary concerns is the presence of high levels of pesticides and herbicides in the water. The Indian River Lagoon, located off the coast of Florida, has been nicknamed the "killing zone" due to the high number of manatee deaths in recent years. While there has never been a documented die-off of manatees due to a chemical spill, studies have found concentrations of heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides in dead manatees.
Biologists attribute the decline in seagrass habitat, a crucial food source for manatees, to the increase in pesticides and herbicides in the water. This has led manatees to gather in larger numbers around artificial warm-water sites, such as power plants, where food scarcity further threatens their survival. Fertilizer runoff has also been identified as a factor in the chronic exposure of manatees to pesticides.
In addition to the direct impact of pesticides and herbicides, pollution from boating and coastal development, including dredging, stormwater runoff, and septic tank leaks, further contributes to the degradation of the manatee's natural habitat. The loss of seagrass, which manatees depend on for food, is a significant concern for conservationists.
While the exact cause of death for many manatee carcasses remains unknown due to decomposition, the high number of deaths and the presence of pesticides and herbicides in the water highlight the urgent need for further investigation and conservation efforts to protect this vulnerable species.
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Frequently asked questions
A large number of marine animals are killed due to plastic pollution in the ocean. Some of the animals that have been found dead with plastic in their bodies include sperm whales, beluga whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, sea lions, and seabirds.
Plastic pollution can kill marine animals in several ways, including ingestion, entanglement, and toxic contamination. Marine animals may mistake plastic for food and ingest it, leading to intestinal injuries, starvation, or suffocation. They can also become entangled in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing nets, which can restrict their movement, cause injuries, or lead to drowning. Furthermore, plastic can release toxic chemicals into the water and accumulate in the bodies of animals, leading to health issues and an increased risk of death.
Yes, some species are more vulnerable to the effects of ocean pollution than others. For example, the Hawksbill Turtle population has declined by an estimated 80% in the last 50 years due to overfishing and the impact of plastic pollution. Endangered species, such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, are also at risk of ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic litter. Additionally, rare species like the humpback dolphin, found only in waters around Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around their bodies, leading to injuries and infections.
It is estimated that billions of pounds of plastic can be found in the ocean, covering about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. Plastic pollution comes from various sources, including single-use plastic items, fishing gear, and waste that is not properly disposed of or recycled. A recent study found that nearly 50% of ocean plastic comes from takeout, and lower-income countries contribute a higher proportion of plastic pollution.
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