Meghan Hodges
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing global crisis. Billions of pounds of plastic are dumped into the oceans annually, threatening marine life and ecosystems. From ingestion to entanglement, plastic waste has deadly effects on marine wildlife, including seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other mammals. With plastic persisting in the ocean for extended periods, the accumulation of plastic pollutants in the marine food chain poses a significant environmental challenge. Rivers, rainfall, and wind contribute to the influx of plastic in oceans, underscoring the urgent need for proper waste disposal and pollution prevention measures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of plastic in the ocean | 15–51 trillion pieces |
| Proportion of ocean surfaces covered by plastic | 40% |
| Predicted weight of plastic in the ocean by 2050 | More than the weight of all the fish in the sea |
| Number of marine species affected by plastic pollution | 267 |
| Percentage of plastic pollution that originates on land | 80% |
| Number of seabirds killed by plastic pollution annually | Up to 1 million |
| Percentage of seabird species that have eaten plastic | 60% |
| Percentage of sea turtle species affected by plastic pollution | 86% |
| Percentage of marine mammal species affected by plastic pollution | 43% |
| Number of megafaunal species affected by entanglement and ingestion of plastic | 914 |
| Number of rivers responsible for 80% of ocean plastic emissions | 1000 |
| Relative mass of plastics to marine life at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | 180:1 |
| Number of fish caught in the Pacific Gyre in 2008 that had ingested plastic | 35% of 672 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution is killing marine life
Plastic pollution is having a devastating impact on marine life, causing injury and death to a wide range of species. From the tiniest microorganisms to large whales, no marine creature is immune to the threat of plastic pollution. With billions of pounds of plastic accumulating in our oceans, it is estimated that there are now 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic polluting the waters, from the Arctic ice sheets to the sea floor. This global crisis is causing direct and deadly harm to marine life through ingestion and entanglement, threatening the biodiversity of our oceans.
One of the most significant ways plastic pollution is killing marine life is through ingestion. Animals often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to fatal consequences. For example, the practice of dolphins, one of the most intelligent species, is to trail their prey with plastic bags stuck in their fins. When ingested, plastic can cause intestinal injuries and block the digestive system, leading to starvation and death. Research has shown that fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, and this plastic is then transferred up the food chain to larger predators. In a 2008 study, 35% of the fish caught in the Pacific Gyre had ingested plastic pieces, demonstrating the extent to which plastic has entered the marine food chain.
Another deadly consequence of plastic pollution is entanglement. Marine animals can become entangled in derelict fishing nets, six-pack rings, and other plastic debris, leading to injury and death. This issue affects a wide range of species, including endangered wildlife such as the Hawaiian monk seal and the Pacific loggerhead sea turtle. The Mediterranean monk seal, for instance, faces a high risk of death due to fishing gear entanglement.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate harm caused by ingestion and entanglement. Plastics in the ocean act as a magnet for persistent organic pollutants, which attach to their surfaces. These pollutants are then released into the ocean, where they can be absorbed by marine life. This further endangers marine organisms and contaminates the human food chain. Additionally, plastic waste encourages the growth of pathogens in the ocean, increasing the likelihood of disease transmission among marine life. Corals that come into contact with plastic, for instance, have an 89% chance of contracting diseases compared to only 4% for corals that are not exposed to plastic.
The sheer volume of plastic pollution in our oceans is staggering. It is estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010, and the problem continues to grow. With the weight of ocean plastics expected to exceed the combined weight of all the fish in the sea by 2050, the urgency of addressing this crisis cannot be overstated. The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is undeniable, and it is crucial that we take immediate action to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic to protect the biodiversity of our oceans.
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Plastic is transported into oceans via rivers
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing global crisis. Marine wildlife is suffering the most direct and damaging effects of plastic pollution. From all kinds of fish to turtles, seals, crustaceans, micro-organisms and many other forms of life, the damage caused by plastic pollution to marine animals is increasingly visible.
Plastic is transported into the oceans via rivers. A 2021 study identified 1000 rivers worldwide that represent almost 80% of ocean plastic emissions. The mass of plastics at the surface layer of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is around 180 times higher than that of marine life. This indicates that marine organisms are feeding on plastic.
Rivers are the primary conduits for plastic waste to reach the sea. The top 20 polluting rivers, mostly located in Asia, account for 67% of the global total. The Yangtze, which traverses 3,915 miles across China and empties into the East China Sea, was ranked as the most polluted by plastics. However, in a surprising shift, the 16-mile-long Pasig River in the Philippines has now overtaken the Yangtze as the most polluted. This speaks to the pervasive spread of plastic waste and the need for complex and costly solutions.
The problem of plastic waste in rivers is further complicated by the fact that plastic waste in rivers has largely been overlooked in research, with most of the focus being on plastic in the oceans. For example, the first full-scale assessment of plastic waste in India's Ganges River was only conducted 18 months ago. The new research is based on modelling and conducted by scientists who were also involved in the 2017 river studies. They say that the data available four years ago was limited, which led to a heavy focus on the size of river basins and population density.
The latest analysis uses higher-resolution data to model the deterministic drivers of how plastic is transported using wind and precipitation patterns and river discharge data. This higher-resolution data shows that factors such as the proximity of populations to the river, distance to the ocean, slope of the terrain, and types of land use play a much more important role than the size of the river basin itself. This means that many smaller rivers play a bigger role in transporting plastic to the oceans than previously thought.
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Plastic pollution is harmful to humans
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to the health of humans, animals, and the environment. With billions of pounds of plastic entering our oceans each year, the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and, consequently, human life, is significant. Here are some reasons why plastic pollution is harmful to humans:
Ingestion of Microplastics: Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, have been detected in various sources of food and water intended for human consumption. These include seafood like fish and shellfish, tap and bottled water, beer, and even table salt. A study estimates that an average adult consumes approximately 2,000 microplastics per year through salt alone. These microplastics can carry toxic chemicals, which, when ingested, can lead to health issues such as endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, reproductive health issues, and even cancer.
Chemical Additives and Toxins: The production and disposal of plastics involve the release of toxic chemicals and metals, such as lead and mercury, into the environment. These toxins can contaminate soil and water sources, eventually entering the human body through the consumption of contaminated food and water. Additionally, the chemical additives used during plastic production are easily inhaled or ingested by humans, leading to potential health risks.
Environmental Injustice: The impact of plastic pollution disproportionately affects marginalized communities, as seen in "Cancer Alley" in Louisiana, where plastics plants have contributed to high cancer rates among residents. This environmental injustice highlights how the health effects of plastic pollution are closely tied to socioeconomic factors and access to a clean environment.
Threat to Food Security: Plastic pollution in the ocean affects marine life, including fish and other seafood sources. As plastics accumulate in the ocean, they are ingested by marine organisms, leading to intestinal injuries and death. This contamination of the food chain can have direct consequences for human health, as plastics and their associated toxins accumulate in the seafood that humans consume.
Invasive Species and Pollutant Transport: Floating plastics in the oceans can act as a transport mechanism for invasive marine species and pollutants. As plastics move through ocean currents, they can introduce invasive species to new ecosystems, disrupting the natural balance. Additionally, plastics coated with pollutants can be ingested by marine life, transferring these toxins up the food chain, potentially affecting humans who consume contaminated seafood.
Addressing plastic pollution requires a comprehensive approach that includes reducing plastic production and use, improving waste management practices, and advocating for regulatory measures to hold plastic producers and retailers accountable for their environmental and health-related impacts.
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Plastic is durable and does not fully decompose
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global crisis. Billions of pounds of plastic are found in the oceans, and this number is expected to increase by 40% over the next decade. Plastic does not decompose easily and persists in the ocean for long periods, causing severe harm to marine life.
Plastic is a highly durable material, and its durability is one of its most significant assets. However, this durability becomes a liability when plastic ends up in the ocean. Unlike organic matter, plastic does not fully decompose. The polymers in plastic waste may eventually break down, but this process can take hundreds of thousands of years. During this time, plastic waste releases harmful chemicals into the water and breaks into microplastics, which are consumed by marine animals.
The primary reason plastic does not readily decompose is that it is not organic. Most plastics are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene, derived from propylene, a simple chemical component of petroleum, a fossil fuel. The process of refining propylene involves heating it with a catalyst, causing individual molecules to form extremely strong carbon-carbon bonds, resulting in long polymer chains. While microorganisms in nature can break down organic matter using enzymes, these enzymes cannot recognize or break down these synthetic polymer bonds.
UV light from the sun can break down plastic over time, but it is a slow process. Additionally, while some bacteria can break down PET plastic, they are not widespread enough to significantly impact the vast amounts of plastic in the ocean. The persistence of plastic in the ocean has severe ecological consequences. Marine animals, from small finches to large whales, face entanglement and ingestion of plastic, leading to injuries and deaths. Plastic pollution also transports pollutants and invasive species through ocean currents, further exacerbating the problem.
The impact of plastic pollution in the ocean is widespread and devastating. With plastic production expected to increase, addressing this crisis is crucial to mitigating the harm caused to marine ecosystems and the planet as a whole.
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Plastic pollution is a global crisis
Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. Thousands of seabirds and sea turtles, seals and other marine mammals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species. According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, and as much as 80% of that litter is plastic.
The plastic in the ocean is not going away by itself. Plastic is so durable that, according to the EPA, "every bit of plastic ever made still exists". Once in the ocean, plastic decomposes very slowly, breaking into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and wreak havoc on sea life. These microplastics can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, only to later release them in the ocean. Research shows that marine life that ingests plastics coated with pollutants can absorb these toxins into their bodies.
The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based—80% of plastic in the ocean originates on land. Plastic waste is often blown away from landfills because it is so lightweight. It can then clutter around drains and enter rivers and the sea. Rainwater and wind also carry plastic waste into streams and rivers, which lead to the ocean. Rivers are the arteries that carry plastic from land to sea.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution is having a devastating impact on marine life. It has been found to transport pollutants and invasive species through ocean currents, and marine animals are suffering the consequences of ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.
Plastic enters the ocean primarily from land. Rain and wind carry plastic waste into streams and rivers, which then flow into the sea. Careless and improper waste disposal, such as littering and illegal dumping, are significant contributors to the plastic pollution in our oceans.
Reducing plastic use, reusing and recycling plastic items, and participating in local clean-up efforts are some ways to help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. Properly disposing of waste and supporting organisations working to address plastic pollution are also important.
