Meghan Hodges
Marine pollution poses a significant threat to whales, with 80% of it being generated by land-based human activities. Oil spills, industrial pollutants, and marine debris, such as plastic and abandoned fishing gear, are some of the main sources of pollution that harm whales. These pollutants can lead to physical entanglement, ingestion of toxic substances, and disruption of their natural habitats and food sources. Noise pollution from industrialization also impacts whales, interrupting their normal behaviour and driving them away from areas essential for their survival. The accumulation of pollutants in their bodies, particularly in top predators like whales, has severe health consequences, including sterility and population decline. With ongoing research and global efforts to address marine pollution, there is a growing understanding of the impacts on whales and a coordinated push for solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine debris | Derelict fishing gear, nets, plastic, microplastics, marine litter |
| Noise pollution | Underwater seismic surveys, military exercises, boat activity |
| Oil spills | Hydrocarbons, crude oil, fuel oil, drilling lubricants, toxic chemicals |
| Industrial pollutants | PCBs, heavy metals, toxic chemicals |
| Plastic ingestion | Mistaken for food, internal injuries, death |
| Plastic entanglement | Fishing nets, rope, injury, vulnerability to predation, extreme energy exertion |
| Chemical bioaccumulation | POPs, DDT, brominated flame retardants, organochlorine pesticides |
| Food chain disruption | Krill, zooplankton, smaller organisms |
| Habitat degradation | Marine ecosystems, biodiversity, reproduction |
| Ghost gear | Derelict fishing gear, nets, traps |
| Government failure | Lack of regulation, disposal of toxic products |
| Scientific uncertainty | Limited studies on effects of oil spills and chemicals |
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Oil spills
One of the most well-known examples is the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, in 1989. This disaster released 11 million gallons of oil, impacting the resident killer whale population. The number of whales in the affected pod has decreased steadily and significantly since the spill, indicating long-term consequences. Additionally, two orca populations in the area have not recovered even years after the incident, highlighting the persistent nature of oil spill impacts.
To mitigate the impact of oil spills on whale populations, "hazing" methods are employed to deter whales from entering the affected areas. These include acoustic deterrent devices that produce sounds audible to marine mammals but not loud enough to cause pain. However, hazing and monitoring are the only feasible mitigation measures during a spill, as capturing and rehabilitating whales is challenging.
The ongoing studies of the 2011 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are expected to enhance our understanding of the effects of oil spills on whales. Additionally, initiatives like the Northwest Wildlife Response Plan and the Southern Resident Killer Whale Oil Spill Resources provide guidelines and strategies to protect whale populations during oil spills.
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Marine debris
Whales often mistake plastic and other marine debris for prey. For example, plastic bags can look like squid to a whale, and turtles may confuse plastic bags for jellyfish. As plastic breaks up into smaller pieces, it becomes easier for smaller species to consume, and these toxins then move up the food chain, ultimately contaminating whales and other marine mammals. A recent study found that flexible plastic like plastic bags and packaging is responsible for the largest proportion of deaths from debris, primarily due to gastric obstructions.
The Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) has been researching the impact of marine debris on marine mammals since 2013. In 2021, participants in their Coastal Marine Debris Monitoring Program (CMDMP) recorded more than 67,000 debris items. To address this issue, the PWF has partnered with other organizations to increase awareness, engage volunteers in beach cleanups, and remove marine debris from coastlines.
To reduce the amount of marine debris, individuals can properly recycle and reduce their use of single-use plastics. Using reusable water bottles and shopping bags can help decrease the amount of plastic that ends up in the oceans.
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Plastic ingestion
The impact of plastic ingestion on whales was highlighted in a case in the Davao Gulf of the Philippines, where a young male Cuvier beaked whale died with approximately 88 pounds of plastic in its stomach. The plastic waste had compacted in the whale's stomach, causing starvation and dehydration. The stomach acid, unable to break down the plastic, had also worn holes in the stomach lining. This tragic incident underscores the deadly consequences of plastic pollution on marine life.
Baleen whales, including blue, humpback, and fin whales, are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion due to their filter-feeding behavior. They ingest plastic fragments and microplastics directly from seawater and indirectly from their prey. Research indicates that a blue whale may ingest up to 10 million pieces of microplastic per day, while a humpback whale may ingest 200,000 pieces. The baleen, or oral filtering structure, plays a critical role in capturing and accumulating plastics, but it has not received sufficient attention in studies.
The Mediterranean Sea, with its high accumulation of microplastics, serves as another example of the impact of plastic pollution on whales. WWF scientists are analyzing traces of plastic found in whales to understand the growing strain of pollution on the region's cetaceans. The presence of microplastics in the food chain, from plankton to larger marine species, underscores the pervasive nature of plastic pollution in the ocean.
While plastic ingestion is a significant concern for whales, it is important to note that noise pollution, oil spills, and other forms of marine debris also pose threats to their survival. However, by understanding the specific risks associated with plastic ingestion, conservation efforts can be tailored to address this pressing issue and mitigate the harmful consequences for whale populations.
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Noise pollution
Whale songs are vital to the survival of whales. They use these songs to communicate with one another across several hundred kilometres of ocean, find food, safely travel along irregular coastlines, and migrate to and from breeding and feeding grounds.
A study based on the Acoustic Integration Model (AIM) found that humpback whales in Glacier Bay are exposed to less underwater noise from large vessels when there are slower ships, fewer ships, or ships that are scheduled to arrive with intervals between them. The study also found that cruise ship speed was the dominant factor affecting how much noise whales were exposed to.
Another study by researchers from the University of Melbourne and Politecnico di Torino found that human-made ocean noise could be slowing down migration times by up to 20%, potentially trapping some whales behind a wall of noise. The simulation study suggested that the current soundscape for whales might be causing a three-to-four-day delay in migration arrivals, representing an extra 20% in travel time.
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Chemical pollution
Marine pollution is a serious threat to whales, with 80% of it being generated by land-based human activities. Chemical pollution, in particular, poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of whales. One of the most dangerous groups of chemicals is PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), which were widely used in building materials until a global ban was implemented in 2004. Despite this ban, PCBs continue to leak into the environment due to improper disposal and contaminated materials. PCBs accumulate in the food chain, with the highest amounts found in top predators such as whales. These chemicals cause sterility and are detrimental to the reproductive health of whales, leading to population decline.
Another source of chemical pollution is oil spills, which release crude oil and drilling lubricants containing hydrocarbons and heavy metals into the ocean. While it was once believed that marine mammals could detect and avoid oil, the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound in 1989 disproved this theory. This spill severely impacted two orca populations, and ongoing studies of the 2011 Gulf of Mexico oil spill indicate similar detrimental effects on bottlenose dolphins. Oil spills also kill off smaller creatures like krill, a primary food source for whales, further contaminating their food supply.
In addition to PCBs and oil spills, whales are threatened by plastic pollution, which acts as a vector for toxic chemicals. As plastic breaks down into microplastics, toxic chemical compounds are released, infiltrating the food chain and contaminating the whales' prey. These toxins accumulate in the whales' bodies, particularly in their blubber, and can lead to health issues and even death. High levels of plastic contamination have been observed in whales in the Mediterranean Sea, where microplastics have accumulated.
The impact of chemical pollution on whales is a growing area of research, with scientists working to understand how these pollutants affect the health and survival of whale populations. While the full extent of the damage may not be known, it is clear that chemical pollution poses a significant threat to the well-being of whales and other marine life.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine pollution is an umbrella term for harmful human-made substances that can negatively affect the ocean and its inhabitants. The main types of pollution that harm whales include plastic pollution, oil spills, industrial pollutants, and noise pollution.
Plastic pollution can harm whales through ingestion and entanglement. Whales may ingest plastic by mistaking it for prey or by eating prey that has consumed plastic. This can result in internal injuries and even death. Plastic pollution can also entangle whales, preventing them from moving, feeding, and breathing properly, making them more vulnerable to predators.
Oil spills can contaminate the water and food sources of whales, leading to health issues and death. Oil spills can also kill off smaller animals that whales rely on for food. Additionally, the toxic chemicals released during oil spills can enter the blowholes and mouths of whales, causing severe health issues.
Noise pollution from human activities, such as underwater seismic surveys, military exercises, and boat activity, can interrupt the normal behaviour of whales, drive them away from important habitats, and even cause injuries or deaths. For whales, sound is crucial for communication and navigation, so noise pollution can have significant impacts on their survival.
