Kiera Jefferson
Pollution is a significant threat to many endangered species in America. While some species are threatened by pollution due to human activities, others are endangered due to a combination of factors, including climate change, habitat loss, and other human-led activities. Pollution endangers species by poisoning plants and animals and reducing their food sources. For example, the Nashville crayfish is endangered due to polluted creeks, and the Pacific Loggerhead sea turtle is threatened by discarded plastics. Additionally, the Eastern hellbender, a sensitive species, is vulnerable to water pollution, and the brown pelican was previously endangered due to pollution-caused low population and birth rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species | Manatees, Red Wolves, Eastern Hellbender, Pacific Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Sperm Whale, Hawaiian Monk Seal, American Crocodiles, Bald Eagle |
| Cause of endangerment | Starvation due to decline of seagrass, hunting, water pollution, plastic pollution, oil spills, ingestion of plastic, pesticides, chemicals |
| Location | Florida, Eastern United States, Hawaii, North Carolina |
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What You'll Learn
Manatees threatened by water pollution
Manatees, also known as sea cows, are facing an existential threat due to water pollution in Florida. While they are no longer classified as endangered, having been removed from the endangered species list in 2017, they are now considered threatened. Florida's manatee population has experienced a significant die-off in recent years, with more than 2,500 manatees perishing between 2020 and 2022. The primary cause of these deaths is starvation due to the decline of their primary food source, seagrass.
Water pollution in Florida has been identified as the primary factor contributing to the decline of seagrass abundance and health in the Indian River Lagoon and other estuaries where manatees feed. A Times analysis of water samples revealed dangerous levels of contamination across the state, with steep increases in phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in certain waterways. These pollutants have a detrimental impact on the seagrass beds, causing them to deteriorate and reducing the availability of food for manatees.
The transformation of natural land into housing developments, farms, and golf courses has exacerbated the problem. Over the last four decades, an estimated 1.9 million acres of natural land in Florida have been converted, resulting in increased nutrient pollution and habitat degradation for manatees. The growing population and the corresponding rise in recreational watercraft also increase the potential for boat-related deaths and injuries among manatees.
To address this crisis, efforts are being made to reduce pollution, restore seagrass beds, and protect manatee habitats. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 establishes restrictions to safeguard manatees from boat collisions and habitat destruction. Additionally, educational campaigns teach boaters to identify the presence of manatees and proceed cautiously in shallow waterways. These measures aim to protect manatees and ensure their long-term survival in Florida's waters.
While manatees are no longer considered endangered, the threat of water pollution underscores the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. By reducing pollution, restoring habitats, and promoting coexistence between humans and manatees, we can help ensure the continued presence of these beloved creatures in our oceans.
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Eastern hellbender salamanders and water pollution
The Eastern hellbender, also known as the "snot otter" or "lasagna lizard", is a giant, fully aquatic salamander species native to the eastern and central United States. It is the largest salamander in North America, with a lineage that dates back over 160 million years.
Eastern hellbenders are extremely sensitive to water pollution, making them an indicator of excellent water quality. They are now only found in a handful of waterways. Their populations have declined due to various factors, including habitat degradation, sedimentation, water quality degradation, disease, and direct mortality. Activities such as dam construction, logging, mining, and road construction contribute to sedimentation and habitat loss. Chemical pollutants, agricultural runoff, and thermal pollution from industrialization and urbanization further jeopardize their habitats.
Eastern hellbenders play a vital role in the river ecosystem. They prefer cool, fast-flowing, highly oxygenated waters with rocky streambeds, submerged boulders, and large flat rocks that provide shelter and food sources. Their flattened bodies and large, keeled tails enable them to move in these environments. Hellbenders absorb oxygen through their skin, which has numerous folds to increase surface area and enhance respiration. This unique respiratory adaptation makes them susceptible to changes in water quality.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect Eastern hellbender populations and their habitats. Initiatives include collecting and hatching hellbender eggs for release into suitable environments and implementing concrete nesting boxes for egg collection. Additionally, there are ongoing surveys of hellbender populations in western Pennsylvania rivers. These efforts aim to safeguard this ancient and peculiar species for future generations.
The Eastern hellbender is just one example of an endangered species in America that faces threats from pollution and habitat degradation. Other species, such as the brown pelican, Hawaiian monk seal, sea turtles, and whales, also face significant challenges due to human activities and pollution.
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Seals and the threat of plastic pollution
Seals are playful and curious creatures that often end up playing with plastic waste in the ocean, such as fishing lines, nets, packing straps, and plastic bags. This plastic waste can lead to seal entanglement, causing a slow and painful death as the plastic tightens around their necks, flippers, or mouths as they grow. In addition, seals are also threatened by ingesting microplastics, which can cause toxic chemical buildup, increasing the chance of disease and affecting reproduction.
The Hawaiian Monk seal, an endangered species native to the waters off Hawaii, has seen a steep population decline since the 1980s, with pollution being one of the primary reasons. Similarly, the Pacific Loggerhead sea turtle is constantly falling victim to discarded plastics like six-pack rings and plastic packaging, leading to more deaths from plastic pollution than oil spills.
The issue of plastic pollution extends beyond seals and sea turtles. More than 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans annually, impacting various marine animals, including whales, dolphins, seabirds, fish, and crabs. The sperm whale, for instance, is highly susceptible to plastic pollution due to its large mouth, which can ingest extreme amounts of plastic. In 2008, two sperm whales were found with plastic clogging their digestive tracts, resulting in their deaths.
To address the plastic pollution crisis, illegal and industrial fishing fleets must be held accountable for their disposal of ghost gear, which continues to entangle and kill marine life. Additionally, corporations need to stop producing single-use plastics and provide consumers with reusable alternatives. By working together, governments, industries, and individuals can protect our precious marine life from the devastating effects of plastic pollution.
In conclusion, seals are highly vulnerable to the threat of plastic pollution, both through entanglement and ingestion of microplastics. The consequences of plastic pollution on seal populations are severe, and immediate action is required to mitigate this crisis. The decline of the Hawaiian Monk seal and the plight of other marine species further emphasize the urgent need to address plastic pollution and protect our ocean's biodiversity.
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Sea turtles and plastic pollution
Sea turtles are one of the oldest living creatures on Earth, with origins dating back at least 110 million years. They have survived mass extinctions and outlived the dinosaurs, but now face a new threat in the form of plastic pollution. Plastic pollution in the oceans is a massive problem, with an estimated 5-13 million metric tons of plastic waste entering the oceans each year—the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck full of plastic every minute. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that plastics are designed to last forever.
Plastic pollution affects sea turtles in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Sea turtles can ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as a plastic bag that resembles a jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming plastic that is present among their natural food sources. Research suggests that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic, and in some populations, this number rises to over 90%. Ingesting plastic can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, or trick turtles into feeling full when they are not, resulting in sickness or even death.
Additionally, sea turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear or "ghost nets," during migration, feeding, or nesting. Entanglement can cause injuries, hinder their ability to swim, surface for air, or feed, and in severe cases, lead to drowning. It is estimated that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year due to entanglement in plastic. The risks of ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic may be higher for younger turtles and species that feed primarily on the ocean's surface.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is made worse by the toxic chemicals it contains. Plastics are made up of a mixture of at least 16,000 chemicals, including about 4,200 known hazardous substances such as heavy metals and bisphenols (BPA). These chemicals have been linked to hormone-disrupting effects, leading to the feminization of sea turtle populations and infertility.
While the problem of plastic pollution is daunting, there is hope in the growing movement of people, organizations, governments, and businesses taking action to address it. Individuals can do their part by reducing plastic pollution through recycling and avoiding single-use plastic items. However, systemic change is also needed, with governments and industries taking accountability and implementing measures to end the plastic pollution epidemic.
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Bald eagles and pesticides
In the United States, several endangered species are threatened by pollution. Pollution can cause a loss of habitat for these species, which is one of the main reasons species become endangered.
One notable example is the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States. In 2016, 13 bald eagles were found dead on a farm in Maryland, the largest known die-off of bald eagles in the state in three decades. An investigation revealed that the birds died from ingesting carbofuran, a highly toxic pesticide that has been banned in the country since 2009. Carbofuran was once widely used in farms to target pests such as foxes and raccoons. However, due to its toxicity, it ended up killing non-targeted animals as well, including bald eagles. Despite the ban, carbofuran can still be purchased online, and farmers are believed to have stockpiles of this substance.
Bald eagles are no longer listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, but they are still considered rare and protected by federal law. The use of illegal pesticides that harm these birds can result in significant fines under state law. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to enforce these laws without information from local communities.
Another example of an endangered species threatened by pollution is the Hawaiian monk seal. Their population has been in steep decline since the 1980s, and pollution is one of the primary reasons for this decline. Plastic pollution, in particular, poses a significant threat to marine life, including seals, sea turtles, and whales. While plastic pollution affects various species, the Pacific Loggerhead sea turtle is especially vulnerable, often falling victim to discarded plastics like six-pack rings and plastic packaging.
Additionally, the brown pelican was listed as federally endangered in 1970 due to low population and birth rates caused by pollution. However, thanks to conservation efforts, the bird was removed from the endangered species list in 2009.
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