Kiera Jefferson
Plastic is the leading source of ocean pollution. Humans produce over 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, and at least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year, making up 80% of all marine debris. The majority of this plastic comes from land-based sources, with rivers being a major contributor. It is estimated that 1000 rivers are responsible for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions, with the remaining 20% distributed over 30,000 rivers. Other land-based sources of plastic pollution include vehicle tires, synthetic clothing, septic tanks, cars, trucks, and boats. Marine sources of plastic pollution include fishing nets, lines, ropes, and abandoned vessels. Aside from plastic, other major sources of ocean pollution include nutrients from fertilizer runoff, nonpoint sources, light, noise, and industrial chemicals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest source of ocean pollution | Plastic |
| Percentage of plastic in the ocean that comes from land-based sources | 70% to 80% |
| Percentage of plastic in the ocean that comes from marine sources | 20% to 30% |
| Percentage of plastic pollution in the ocean | 80% of all marine debris |
| Amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean every year | 14 million tons |
| Number of sources of plastic pollution in the ocean | Thousands |
| Amount of plastic produced annually by humans | 400 million metric tons |
| Amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean | Less than 0.5% |
| Number of rivers responsible for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions | 1000 |
| Number of remaining rivers responsible for the other 20% of plastic emissions | 30,000 |
| Region with the most plastic-emitting rivers | Asia |
| Number of top-ten plastic-emitting rivers in the Philippines | 7 |
| Number of top-ten plastic-emitting rivers in India | 2 |
| Number of top-ten plastic-emitting rivers in Malaysia | 1 |
| Share of global river plastics attributed to the Pasig River in the Philippines | 6.4% |
| Number of megafaunal species impacted by entanglement and ingestion of plastic | 914 |
| Number of endangered species among those 914 megafaunal species | 100+ |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
Plastic is the leading source of ocean pollution. It accounts for 80% of all marine debris, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Marine debris is primarily discarded human rubbish that floats or is suspended in the ocean. By weight, 70% to 80% of plastic in the ocean comes from land-based sources, such as litter, trash, and debris from construction, ports, marinas, commercial and industrial facilities, and trash blown out of garbage containers, trucks, and landfills. The remaining 20% to 30% comes from marine sources such as fishing nets, lines, ropes, and abandoned vessels.
The top ocean pollutants include plastic bags, bottles, food containers, cutlery, wrappers, synthetic rope, and fishing items. These items are often ingested by marine life, leading to fatalities through ingestion, starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning, and entanglement. For instance, bottle caps have been found in the stomachs of turtles and seabirds, causing obstruction in their respiratory and digestive tracts. Additionally, ghost nets, or abandoned fishing gear, entangle various creatures, including fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and sharks, leading to starvation, laceration, infection, and suffocation in those that need to return to the surface to breathe.
The problem of plastic pollution in the ocean is not limited to the impact on marine life but also extends to the human food chain. Research has shown that marine life that ingests plastics coated with pollutants can absorb these pollutants into their bodies. In a 2008 Pacific Gyre voyage, 35% of the 672 fish caught were found to have ingested plastic pieces. Furthermore, microplastics, formed from the breakdown of plastic waste, have been found in heavy snow in Switzerland, indicating the widespread presence of plastic pollution.
To tackle plastic pollution, a global approach is necessary to reduce plastic waste and manage it effectively to prevent it from entering the natural environment. This includes focusing on rivers, as they are a significant pathway for plastic to reach the oceans. By understanding the distribution of plastics across the world's rivers, we can prioritize mitigation efforts and implement strategies such as trapping plastic particles at river mouths. Additionally, solutions lie in changes to manufacturing and packaging practices, reducing the use of single-use plastics, and adopting eco-friendly alternatives.
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Nonpoint-source pollution
Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural land contribute to nonpoint-source pollution. Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production sites are also significant contributors. Additionally, bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet waste, and faulty septic systems can pollute water bodies. Sediment from poorly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks can further add to nonpoint-source pollution.
The effects of nonpoint-source pollution on specific waters may vary and can be challenging to fully assess. However, it is known to have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife. In some cases, nonpoint-source pollution can cause beaches to be closed due to the unsanitary conditions it creates. To address these issues, organizations like the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program have developed programs and control plans to help identify and mitigate nonpoint-source pollution.
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Nutrient pollution
Agricultural activities contribute significantly to nutrient pollution. Excess fertilisers, herbicides, and insecticides from farms can run off into nearby waterways, eventually making their way into the ocean. This runoff contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as fertilisers in the water, leading to eutrophication. Additionally, manure from farm animals can also be a source of nutrient pollution, further exacerbating the issue.
Wastewater generated from residential areas, such as lawns and gardens, can also contain fertilisers and other nutrients. When this wastewater is improperly treated or discharged into water bodies, it contributes to nutrient pollution. Urban areas, with their dense populations and extensive stormwater systems, can be significant sources of nutrient pollution, especially in coastal regions.
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels also play a role in nutrient pollution. Car engines, for example, release nitrogen-containing compounds into the atmosphere, which can eventually find their way into the ocean. Climate change, another consequence of burning fossil fuels, further exacerbates the problem by increasing river runoff and intensifying the level of nutrient pollution.
The effects of nutrient pollution are severe and detrimental to marine life. The excessive growth of algae restricts sunlight and oxygen from reaching the water, leading to the decay of aquatic plants. This further lowers oxygen levels, creating "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive. These dead zones are spread across the world, with the largest one located in the Arabian Sea, covering an area of 165,000 square kilometers.
To address nutrient pollution, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes implementing better monitoring systems, reducing nutrient inputs into coastal ecosystems, and restoring natural habitats such as mangroves and marshes that can help absorb and remove excess nutrients before they reach the ocean. Additionally, sustainable practices, such as planting vegetation along waterways, supporting wetland restoration, and promoting eco-friendly gardening, can help mitigate nutrient pollution.
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River pollution
Rivers are a significant pathway for pollutants to reach the oceans. River pollution is a severe issue that affects rivers of all types, with trash, debris, litter, invasive plants, and turbidity. This pollution not only impacts the health of the river ecosystem but also spreads to the oceans, contributing to the larger problem of ocean pollution.
However, human activities are the primary cause of river pollution. Agricultural runoff is a significant issue, with excess fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms washing into rivers during rainfall. This nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, leads to harmful algal blooms that threaten both human health and wildlife. Additionally, the agricultural sector is the biggest consumer of freshwater resources, using about 70% of the earth's surface water supplies, further straining river ecosystems.
Untreated sewage and wastewater discharge from residential and industrial areas also contribute significantly to river pollution. This wastewater often contains bacteria, viruses, parasites, pharmaceuticals, and other harmful substances, rendering the water toxic and unsafe for human and wildlife use. Furthermore, oil leaks and chemical dumping from various sectors, including transportation and energy production, pollute our river systems and, consequently, the oceans.
To combat river pollution, several measures can be implemented:
- Treatment of wastewater: It is essential to treat wastewater properly before discharging it into rivers. This includes treating sewage and industrial wastewater to remove harmful contaminants.
- Reducing plastic usage: Single-use plastics are a significant source of river and ocean pollution. Encouraging the use of reusable alternatives and recycling can help reduce plastic pollution in rivers.
- River dredging: Dredging involves removing sediment, silt, and debris from riverbeds. It helps improve navigation for ships and can be coupled with the use of turbidity curtains to prevent the redistribution of silt during the process.
- Boom and silt barriers: River boom and silt barriers are effective tools for capturing trash, litter, and floating debris, making it easier to harvest and remove these pollutants from the water.
- Managing invasive aquatic plants: Floating debris containment booms can be used to control and contain the growth of invasive aquatic plants, helping to maintain the health of the river ecosystem.
- Reducing agricultural runoff: Implementing buffer zones and better land management practices can help reduce the amount of fertilizer, pesticides, and animal waste that runs off into rivers during rainfall.
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Land-based pollution
One of the most prominent forms of land-based pollution is plastic pollution. Plastic constitutes 80% of all marine debris, with 14 million tons ending up in the ocean annually. Plastic waste primarily enters the ocean via rivers and coastlines, with smaller rivers playing a bigger role than previously thought. The top ten rivers, mostly in Asia, are responsible for a large proportion of plastic emissions, with the Pasig River in the Philippines contributing 6.4% globally.
Another major form of land-based pollution is agricultural runoff, which includes excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides. These pollutants have detrimental effects on drinking water supplies, fisheries, and wildlife. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, leads to high levels of algae growth, which restricts sunlight and oxygen from entering the water, creating "dead zones" for marine life.
Other examples of land-based pollution include industrial waste, oil spills, urban pollution, and marine litter. These sources of pollution have significant implications for marine biodiversity, human health, and economic activities. To address these issues, the Regional Seas Programme has been established to implement region-specific strategies and promote sustainable management practices for tackling land-based sources of pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is the leading source of ocean pollution. Plastic leaks into the ocean from thousands of sources all over the world every day.
Rivers are a major source of plastic waste in the ocean. It is estimated that 1000 rivers are accountable for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions. Most of the world's largest emitting rivers are in Asia, with some also in East Africa and the Caribbean.
The top six ocean pollutants are plastic, nutrients from fertilizer runoff, nonpoint sources, light, noise, and industrial chemicals.
Nonpoint source pollution includes many small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks, and boats, plus larger sources, such as farms, ranches, and forest areas.
