Water Pollution's Impact: Animals Endangered

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to a wide range of animals in our oceans, lakes, and rivers. From majestic whales and dolphins to sea turtles, sharks, and even seabirds, the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems is being disrupted, leading to potential extinctions. Human activities, such as pollution, overfishing, and commercial development, are primarily responsible for endangering these creatures. With an estimated 80% of ocean pollution originating on land, it is crucial to address this issue and protect vulnerable species before it's too late.

Dolphins, manatees, pelicans and sea grass beds are dying in Florida's Indian River Lagoon due to toxic algae blooms

Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is a 156-mile-long estuary that runs along the state's Atlantic coast. It is known as the most diverse ecosystem in North America, with more than 600 species of fish and over 300 kinds of birds. However, in recent years, the lagoon has gained a grim nickname: the "killing zone". This is due to the alarming number of dolphins, manatees, pelicans, and seagrass beds that have perished.

The primary culprit behind this ecological disaster is toxic algae blooms. These blooms are fuelled by pollutants in the water, which have devastating effects on the delicate seagrass beds. Manatees, gentle vegetarian creatures, rely on seagrass as their primary food source. With the seagrass beds decimated, manatees starve, their stomachs stuffed yet lacking nourishment. In 2022 alone, there were 800 confirmed manatee carcasses recovered, and between December 2020 and December 2022, over 2,000 manatees perished in Florida, with 744 of those deaths occurring in Brevard County.

The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that, as manatees gather at warm-water locations, such as power plants, they face a lack of seagrass or other vegetation in the immediate vicinity. Travelling further for forage would expose them to deadly cold water, leaving them with the choice between starvation and hypothermia.

Pelicans and dolphins, on the other hand, are turning up emaciated. While the exact cause remains a mystery, one theory is that the fish they eat are contaminated with high levels of mercury. This hypothesis is supported by research from the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution at Florida Atlantic University, which found alarmingly high levels of mercury in the lagoon's fish.

The Indian River Lagoon crisis has mobilised scientists, residents, and elected officials in Florida. It serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address water pollution and protect our precious ecosystems and the animals that depend on them.

Whales are susceptible to plastic pollution, with cases of plastic clogging their digestive tract leading to death

Water pollution is a pressing issue that endangers a variety of animals, including whales, which are particularly susceptible to plastic pollution. Whales, as large filter feeders, ingest enormous volumes of seawater when feeding, and this has led to the accumulation of plastic in their digestive tracts, causing blockages and even death.

Whales, especially those with large mouths like the sperm whale, are highly vulnerable to ingesting plastic pollution due to their feeding habits. Sperm whales, for example, feed on small organisms like plankton or squid and can accidentally consume plastic particles, mistaking them for food. In 2008, two sperm whales were found dead with their digestive tracts clogged by plastic. This is not an isolated incident, as sperm whales have been discovered with plastic sheeting and large chunks of plastic in their stomachs, leading to fatal blockages.

The impact of plastic pollution on whales goes beyond physical obstruction. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles, can be ingested by whales and build up in their tissues. These microplastics can leach toxic chemicals, such as endocrine disruptors, making the whales sick. Humpback whales, for instance, are estimated to ingest 200,000 to 1,000,000 pieces of microplastics per day, depending on their diet. Fin whales may ingest even more, with estimates ranging from 3 million to 10 million microplastic pieces daily.

Furthermore, plastic pollution can physically entangle whales, causing surface injuries and extreme energy exertion as they try to move with the weight of the debris. This drag from fishing gear and other plastic debris can be life-threatening, as it leaves whales vulnerable to predators and diseases.

The accumulation of plastic in whales' digestive tracts and the toxic chemicals released from microplastics have severe consequences for these majestic creatures. It is crucial to address plastic pollution and transition to more sustainable alternatives to protect whales and other marine life from the detrimental effects of human-made waste.

Sea turtles are endangered by plastic pollution, with the Pacific Loggerhead sea turtle falling victim to discarded plastics

Sea turtles have existed for over 100 million years, but plastic pollution is a new and devastating threat to their continued existence. Plastics are a danger to sea turtles at every stage of their life cycle, from hatchling to adult. As they crawl towards the ocean, migrate, and nest, they must navigate through plastic debris on beaches and in the ocean.

Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming plastic that is present among their natural food, such as crustaceans. The smell of plastic, which comes from the organisms that latch on to it, also attracts sea turtles. As a result, scientists estimate that more than half of all sea turtles have ingested plastic, which causes intestinal damage, blockages, and death. In addition, plastic waste can entangle sea turtles, preventing them from moving, escaping predators, or finding food.

The Pacific Loggerhead sea turtle is one species that is particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. They often fall victim to discarded plastics such as six-pack rings and plastic packaging. Plastic pollution has been declared more deadly to sea turtles than oil spills.

Sea turtles are not the only marine animals endangered by water pollution. Whales, for example, are susceptible to ingesting large amounts of plastic due to their huge mouths. A particularly extreme case occurred in 2008, when two sperm whales were found with plastic clogging their digestive tracts, leading to their deaths. Seabirds are also at risk, with one million seabirds killed by plastic each year.

Water pollution, driven by plastic waste, poses a significant threat to marine life. Sea turtles, including the Pacific Loggerhead sea turtle, are particularly vulnerable, facing the dual dangers of ingestion and entanglement. As plastic pollution continues to increase, the risk to these ancient and iconic creatures grows more dire.

Sharks are critically endangered by targeted fishing and bycatch, with sand tiger sharks valued for their meat and fins

Water pollution is a significant threat to marine life, with plastics, toxic algae blooms, and other pollutants endangering various species. While sharks are not commonly associated with water pollution as a primary threat, they are critically endangered by targeted fishing and bycatch practices, which are driven by the high value of their meat and fins.

Sharks are apex predators that play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs. However, they have become increasingly vulnerable due to overfishing and the lucrative shark fin trade. Shark finning is a practice where fishermen remove the fins from captured sharks and discard the animal, often while it is still alive. The fins are prized for their use in shark fin soup, a delicacy in East Asia that symbolizes status and wealth. The soup is believed to offer health benefits, although recent studies have found that fins contain unsafe levels of mercury.

The high demand for shark fins has led to overfishing and illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing practices. Tens of millions of sharks and rays are killed each year, and populations have declined significantly. A 2021 study in Nature reported a decline of up to 70% in global shark and ray populations over the past 50 years. Some species, such as the scalloped hammerhead shark, are now critically endangered due to finning.

Blue sharks face significant threats. They are often targeted by fisheries and caught as bycatch in tuna and swordfish fisheries. The value of the blue shark fisheries is estimated to be $411 million, yet the species is largely unmanaged, with little catch limits in place. While some countries, like Palau and Honduras, have banned shark finning and fishing for sharks altogether, the enforcement of regulations remains challenging.

Sand tiger sharks, also known as requiem sharks, are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which includes animals threatened with extinction. They are targeted for their meat and fins, and their populations are at risk due to both targeted fishing and bycatch. The combination of high demand for their products and inadequate protection puts sand tiger sharks in a vulnerable position, highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation measures.

Seabirds are often found tangled in debris or with bellies full of indigestible plastic and other pollution

Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of water pollution. They are often found tangled in debris, such as abandoned fishing nets, or with bellies full of indigestible plastic and other pollutants.

Seabirds, like other marine birds, often mistake floating plastic covered in algae for food. Once consumed, plastic can obstruct and physically damage their digestive systems, leading to malnutrition, starvation, and death. The surface of plastic also absorbs toxic chemicals from the environment, which are then deposited and absorbed into the bird's bloodstream when ingested. This toxic chemical ingestion can have fatal consequences for seabirds.

In addition to ingestion, nesting habitat degradation and entanglement are also significant threats to seabirds. They can become entangled in plastic and other debris, such as abandoned fishing gear, which restricts their movement and can lead to their demise. Seabirds may also use this debris to build their nests, as observed on Hart Island in the Gulf of Maine, where trash mixed with twigs and grass was used as nesting material.

The impact of plastic pollution on seabirds is evident in various locations. For example, the isolated Henderson Island in the eastern South Pacific Ocean, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has the highest recorded density of debris, mostly plastic. This highlights how far plastic pollution can travel and its detrimental effect on seabirds, even in remote locations.

The problem is widespread, and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species includes over 40 endangered or critically endangered seabird species, along with 18 vulnerable species. It is estimated that by 2050, 99% of seabird species and 95% of individual seabirds will have ingested plastic. This issue is not limited to a specific region but is observed globally, with citizen science initiatives like the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) monitoring beach-cast birds and marine debris along the west coast of the United States and the Gulf of Maine Marine Debris Action Plan addressing the issue.

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