Meghan Hodges
Sea turtles have been around for over 100 million years, but plastic pollution poses a new and devastating threat to their survival. Plastic pollution affects sea turtles in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as a plastic bag that looks like a jellyfish, or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their natural food. They also become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear or ghost nets, during migration, feeding, or nesting. These two factors contribute to the millions of sea turtles that die each year due to plastic pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of sea turtles that die due to ingestion of plastic | 22% chance of dying if a turtle ate just one piece of plastic. Once a turtle had 14 plastic items in its gut, there was a 50% likelihood that it would die. |
| Percentage of sea turtles that die due to entanglement in plastic | 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. |
| Percentage of sea turtles that die due to oil spills | N/A |
| Percentage of sea turtles that die due to toxic metals | N/A |
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Ingesting plastic
Research suggests that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic. A study from the University of Tokyo found that carnivorous loggerheads ate plastic when they encountered it, likely mistaking it for jellyfish. This figure was 17% of the time. For green turtles, which are mainly plant-eating, this figure rose to 62%, probably because they were hunting for algae. Another study estimated that 52% of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic.
The ingestion of plastic can have severe consequences for sea turtles. Plastic can cause intestinal blockages, leading to malnutrition and reduced growth rates. Sharp plastics can also rupture internal organs, causing internal bleeding. In some cases, the ingestion of plastic can lead to starvation as turtles feel full after swallowing plastic debris and neglect to seek out other food sources.
The impact of ingesting plastic is not limited to physical harm. Even if sea turtles survive ingestion, the presence of plastic in their stomachs can make them unnaturally buoyant, which can stunt their growth and lead to slow reproduction rates.
The risks of ingesting plastic are particularly significant for young sea turtles. During their early years, sea turtles live in flotsam, such as Sargassum mats (brown algae), and feed on other organisms that float with the ocean currents. Unfortunately, plastic waste is also transported by these currents, increasing the likelihood of young sea turtles ingesting plastic.
While the exact percentage of sea turtle deaths due to ingesting plastic is unknown, research provides valuable insights. A study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) found a concerning relationship between plastic ingestion and mortality. According to their findings, a turtle had a 22% chance of dying if it ate just one piece of plastic. As the number of plastic items in a turtle's gut increased, so did the likelihood of death. With 14 plastic items, there was a 50% chance of mortality.
Addressing the issue of plastic ingestion in sea turtles requires collective efforts. Individuals can play a crucial role by reducing their use of single-use plastics, properly disposing of waste, and participating in beach clean-up events. Governments and organizations are also taking action, with countries like Canada, Australia, the US, and China implementing or considering bans or measures to reduce plastic consumption. These combined efforts are essential to protect sea turtles and mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution.
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Entanglement in plastic
Sea turtles are extremely vulnerable to plastic pollution. They often mistake plastic for food, and ingestion of plastic is one of the biggest dangers they face. However, they are also at risk of entanglement in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, packaging, and other debris. This waste can entangle them while they are migrating, feeding, or nesting, hindering their ability to swim and surface for air or feed. In severe cases, it can lead to drowning and death.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is often fatal. Research has revealed that over 270 species of marine animals, including turtles, die from swallowing plastic or becoming entangled in plastic debris annually. Scientists estimate that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year due to entanglement in plastic—that's an average of more than one turtle every nine hours. One study by the University of Exeter found that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died.
Young sea turtles are especially at risk of entanglement in plastic. This is because they spend their early years floating with ocean currents, living among flotsam such as brown algae and eating other organisms that float with the currents. Unfortunately, plastic waste is also transported by ocean currents, leading to a convergence that puts young turtles at higher risk of entanglement.
The fishing industry is a significant contributor to the problem of entanglement. Turtles often become entangled in fishing gear, and once weighed down, they are unable to surface and drown. Lost or discarded fishing nets, abandoned nets, and other related items become deadly traps for sea turtles as they move through their aquatic environments.
While the exact percentage of sea turtles that die specifically from entanglement in plastic pollution is unknown, it is clear that it is a significant cause of death for this endangered species. It is essential to address plastic pollution and reduce our consumption of single-use plastics to protect sea turtles and other vulnerable marine life.
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Oil spills
Although I cannot find the exact percentage of sea turtles that die due to pollution, it is clear that pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles. Oil spills, in particular, have the potential to have serious negative effects on sea turtles.
Sea turtles have been swimming the seas for millions of years, but in less than a hundred years, human activity has caused sea turtle populations to plummet. All six species of sea turtles found in US waters are listed as threatened or endangered. Oil spills represent a grave danger for these air-breathing reptiles that rely on clean water and beaches.
The potential impacts of oil spills on sea turtles are numerous. Firstly, sea turtles can inhale or ingest oil as they surface to breathe, or when they feed. Oil can also coat their bodies, making them unable to swim and exposing them to dangerous temperatures under the sun, leading to exhaustion, dehydration, and even death. Oil spills can also contaminate or kill the food sources of sea turtles, such as fish, crabs, jellyfish, seagrass, and algae. Young sea turtles are especially vulnerable, as oil can destroy their habitats and sources of food, making them more susceptible to predators.
Additionally, the response and cleanup operations after an oil spill can unintentionally harm sea turtles. For example, turtles may be struck by response vessels or killed during oil-burning and skimming activities. The extra lighting and activity on beaches can also disrupt nesting turtles and hatchlings.
To protect sea turtles during oil spills, rescue operations are conducted, which involve scooping turtles out of the oil or water using dip-nets and providing them with medical attention. However, the full impact of oil spills on sea turtle populations remains challenging to estimate and understand.
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Toxic metals
Sea turtles are vulnerable to pollution at all stages of their life. Toxic metals are one of the many pollutants that pose a threat to sea turtles. These metals can enter the turtles' bodies through ingestion or by absorbing them through their skin.
Loggerhead turtles from the Mediterranean Sea coast in Egypt, for example, have been found with toxic metals in their tissues. The concentrations of these metals, including Cd, Pb, Hg, and As, were measured and compared with data from other locations. The results indicated that the contamination in the turtles from Egypt was higher than in other regions.
Inorganic lead, for instance, is a known carcinogen in animals. Lead concentrations in loggerhead turtles from the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea were found to be relatively high, with only a slight decrease observed in the Mediterranean due to the reduced use of leaded petrol in European countries.
The impact of heavy metal exposure on sea turtles is still being studied, and it may take years to fully understand its effects due to the long life span and slow maturation of these creatures. However, heavy metals have been linked to various health issues in other animals and humans, including cancers, developmental malformations, reproductive problems, and kidney failure.
The accumulation of toxic metals in sea turtles is a significant concern, and it is important to address this issue through conservation efforts and research to ensure the protection of these vulnerable creatures.
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Marine debris
Sea turtles can ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as plastic bags that resemble jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming plastic present with their natural food, such as crustaceans. Research indicates that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic. This ingested plastic can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, and create a false sense of fullness, ultimately leading to sickness and death. The downward-facing spines in sea turtles' throats prevent regurgitation, making them especially vulnerable to the effects of plastic ingestion.
Additionally, sea turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, ropes, lines, and nets, also known as "ghost nets" or "ghost gear." Entanglement can cause injuries, hinder their ability to swim, surface for air, or feed, and can even lead to drowning. It is estimated that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year due to entanglement in plastic, with juvenile green turtles being heavily affected.
The impact of marine debris on sea turtles is exacerbated by the presence of toxic additives in plastics, which are released into the water and enter the food chain. These toxins can accumulate in the liver and kidneys of sea turtles, making them susceptible to diseases and further increasing their risk of death.
The issue of marine debris is not limited to plastic pollution. Offshore oil exploration and production, as well as intentional and accidental discharges from vessels, contribute to petroleum pollution in the ocean. Oil spills affect important areas for young turtle development and degrade nesting habitats, impacting adult females and hatchlings. Ingesting food contaminated by oil or tar balls is also detrimental to sea turtles, with a large percentage of dead hatchlings found to have ingested tar balls.
Furthermore, marine debris can contribute to the spread of diseases, such as the external FP tumors observed in green turtles. While the exact cause of FP is unknown, it is believed to be linked to ocean pollution. These tumors can impair movement, vision, and breathing of sea turtles, making them more vulnerable to predation and collisions with boats.
The impact of marine debris on sea turtles highlights the urgent need for global efforts to reduce plastic pollution, improve waste management, and address other sources of marine pollution, such as oil spills.
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Frequently asked questions
Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their natural food. This causes physical damage to their intestines, leads to blockages, or tricks the turtles into feeling full when they are not, which can cause sea turtles to become sick or even die. They can also become entangled in plastic waste, which can lead to injuries, hinder their movement, and in severe cases, lead to drowning and death.
It is estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have ingested plastic, and research has shown that a turtle had a 22% chance of dying if it ate just one piece of plastic. Once a turtle had 14 plastic items in its gut, there was a 50% likelihood that it would die. It is estimated that over one million sea turtles are killed each year by ingesting plastic and entanglement in plastic debris.
Sea turtles are also affected by petroleum pollution from oil spills, which can impact nesting females and hatchlings. They are also susceptible to toxic metals such as mercury, which can accumulate in their organs and make them more vulnerable to diseases and death.
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