Running Head THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON MARINE LIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

The Effects of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life and Ecosystems

Makenna Smith

Student ID 785261

November 17, 2017

Career Life Post-Secondary

Mr. Koshman
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THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON MARINE LIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

Conserve Energy Future (November 11, 2011) described the massive issue in polluting the

oceans has resulted in:

Over one million seabirds are killed by ocean pollution each year. Three hundred thousand

dolphins and porpoises die each year as a result of becoming entangled in discarded fishing

nets, among other items. One hundred thousand sea mammals are killed in the ocean by

pollution each year.

Pollution proves to be a growing problem, not just on shorelines, but throughout all oceans.

Humans are the largest influence on the pollution of plastic around the world. Human activities

are responsible for a major decline of the world's biological diversity, and the problem is so

critical that combined human impacts could have accelerated present extinction rates to 1000

10,000 times the natural rate (Lovejoy, 1997).

The versatility of plastic materials has lead to a great increase in their use over the past three

decades, and they have rapidly moved into all aspects of everyday life (Hansen, 1990, Laist,

1987). Plastic is designed to last, therefore it never disappears. Rather, it breaks down into

smaller pieces. Plastic continues to break down into invisible micro plastics that can be eaten by

sea life as tiny as zooplankton (Rinkesh, 2017). A study done on 1033 birds collected off the

coast of North Carolina in the USA found that individuals from 55% of the species recorded had

plastic particles in their guts (Moser and Lee, 1992). Sea life like seagulls, fish and turtles can

mistake plastics particles for prey or food because of the colour and shape, which they would

recognize as prey. Carpenter et al. (1972) examined various species of fish with plastic debris in

their guts and found that only white plastic spherules had been ingested, indicating that they feed

selectively.
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THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON MARINE LIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

The first fully synthetic plastic was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland and by 1988 in the

United States alone, 30 million tons of plastic were produced annually (OHara et al., 1988).

Since 1907, the usage of plastics has become more regular and an everyday occurrence for the

majority of people. Plastic is used in clothing, toys, packaging and has even replaced original

materials in many products. According to author Susan Freinkel, In product after product,

market after market, plastics challenged traditional materials and won, taking the place of steel in

cars, paper and glass in packaging, and wood in furniture. Plastics are lightweight, strong,

durable and cheap, characteristics that happen to be the reasons why plastics are a serious hazard

to the environment (Laist, 1987).

Plastic is a synthetic or semi synthetic material that can be used for thousands of things, so it is

used and seen everywhere, including the oceans. Based on model results, Eriksen et al.(2014)

estimated that at least 5.25 trillion plastic particles weighing 268,940 tons are currently floating

at sea. Schiller (2015) stated that up to 60% of that waste comes from five countries: China,

Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. That statement complies with Eriksen et al.

(2014) who said that In the Southern Hemisphere the Indian Ocean appears to have a greater

particle count and weight than the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans combined. Countries

within the continent of Asia are consistently ranked among the most polluted in the world.

According to the World Wildlife Fund over 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based

activities (World Wildlife Fund, n.d.). Though a majority of marine pollution is an accident it

can be prevented. Ships are a contributor to this issue by spilling oil, debris or products in
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THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON MARINE LIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

waterways and oceans. Murray R. Gregory (2009) stated that the materials fisherman use has

changed in the past few decades which have caused major problems for our ecosystems:

Prior to the 1950s, rope and cordage used in all marine activities, including fisheries, was made

of natural fibres, and it was often strengthened with a coating of tar or strips of worn canvas.

These materials lose their resilience in usage and if lost or discarded at sea tend to disintegrate

quickly. Over the past 50+ years these natural fibres have been replaced by nylon and other

synthetic materials that are generally buoyant and far more endurable. The very properties that

humankind find so desirable in plastic materials are also those responsible for the plethora of

problems they are creating (globally) in marine environments.(para.6).

Lost, discarded or abandoned fishing gear is often referred to as ghost gear. Ghost gear can be

a threat to animals as they continue to get tangled in it. If fish or other marine life are stuck in the

nets, they could die of starvation, strangulation, or possibly drown. There have been many cases

of ghost gear being caught around and animals neck while they are young. As they grow the gear

fastens tighter around their neck, and cutting their flesh, ultimately leading to strangulation.

Other biologically harmful factors can include suppurating skin lesions, ulcerating body wounds,

interruption of feeding activity and failed predator avoidance (Gregory, 1991).

Enric Sala stated in an interview with National Geographic that Every year, eight million tons

of plastic goes in the ocean. If it continues like this, by 2050 there will be one ton of plastic for

every three tons of fish in the ocean. If there is that amount of plastic, the amount that is being

consumed will continue to rise. Plastics and other miscellaneous items are ingested by sea

creatures because they mistake them for their prey or food. For example sea turtles often mistake

plastic bags for jellyfish, which are a key part of many carnivorous or omnivorous turtles diets.
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THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON MARINE LIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

There are numerous reports of packing loops (cut and uncut) attracting the interest of seals and

sea lions (Gregory, 2009).

Plastics that are not ingested by larger animals continue to break down into micro plastics so

small they can be eaten by zooplankton (Rinkesh, 2017). These micro plastics can be harmful

because they are invisible to the naked eye so it is nearly impossible to remove it, and since

plastic is designed to last, it does not decompose for hundreds of years. It can take fishing line up

to 600 years to decode in the ocean according to the Earth Institute at Columbia University.

Many problems facing marine life today can lead to illness, injury, or even death. Unfortunately

many animals are currently suffering from the effects of pollution. Plastic pollution can impact

marine life through ingestion and entanglement of marine fauna, affecting animals ranging from

zooplankton to cetaceans, seabirds and marine reptiles (Eriksen et al. 2014). The plastic can

range from large fishing nets to resin pellets, all having terrible consequences. Illness can be

caused by ingestion of plastic materials that release chemicals into their systems. The problem

with this is it can also be passed through the food chain and onto their predators. If an animal

eats another that has ingested plastic, it can have similar effects on the predator.

Ghost gear is an issue for marine life as it can be ingested, or strangle animals once wrapped

around their necks, which can ultimately lead to death. O'Hara et al. (1988) cited a turtle found in

New York that had swallowed 540 m of fishing line.Over 100 species of seabirds are known to

ingest plastic or become entangled in nets (Laist 1997). There have also been many cases of

seals, sea lions and porpoises becoming entangled or strangled by fishing ropes or nets further

proving how plastic widely affects animals. From some of the smallest animals in the sea, like
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THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON MARINE LIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

zooplankton, to the largest animal on earth, the blue whale, they are all affected by this growing

problem.

Making sure glass, plastic, and metals end up in the recycling bin is a big first step. Refusing to

litter, even paper or small wrappers, can also reduce ocean pollution dramatically.

Plastics last a long time; as they slowly degrade, they introduce pollutants into the food chain

and harm marine life (Buczynski, B, 2012). Everyone in our society uses plastic. It has replaced

other materials like furniture and fishing nets, which used to be made of natural fibres. Becoming

a zero waste society is not very realistic considering how much plastic we use in everyday life,

but we could change small habits to make our carbon footprint smaller.

Disposed plastic could also be repurposed and made into new products so that no plastic waste is

actual waste. If all plastic was repurposed just like recycling, it could save lots of grief in the

future when humans are trying to reverse all the damage that has already been done. With the use

of plastic increasing, the amount polluting our marine ecosystems increases as well. With eight

million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, which is the equivalent of 5 plastic bags

filled with trash for every foot of coastline in the world, we need to change the way we use and

dispose of plastic.
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THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON MARINE LIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

Ashoka C. (November 10, 2011) Update on the pacific garbage patch. Retrieved October 10,

2017 from http://www.care2.com/causes/update-on-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch-yes-its-still-

there.html

Buczynski, B. (March 27, 2012)10 most common types of ocean trash. Retrieved October 10,

2017, from http://www.care2.com/causes/10-most-common-types-of-ocean-trash.html

Derraik, J. (September, 2002). The pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: a

review. Retrieved Oct 11, 2017,

from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X02002205

Eriksen M, Lebreton LCM, Carson HS, Thiel M, Moore CJ, Borerro JC, et al. (2014) Plastic

Pollution in the World's Oceans: More than 5 Trillion Plastic Pieces Weighing over 250,000

Tons Afloat at Sea. Retrieved Nov 1, 2017

from http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0111913

Gregory, M. (June, 2009). Environmental implications of plastic debris in marine settings

entanglement, ingestion, smothering, hangers-on, hitch-hiking and alien invasions. Retrieved

Nov 1, 2017 fromhttp://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/364/1526/2013

Laist, D. (June, 1987) Overview of the biological effects of lost and discarded plastic debris in

the marine environment. Retrieved Oct 11, 2017

from http://www.vliz.be/en/imis?module=ref&refid=13309&printversion=1&dropIMIStitle=1

Rinkesh. (n.d.). What is ocean pollution? Retrieved October 10, 2017,

from https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-ocean-pollution-facts.php
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Schiller, B. ( October, 2015). Most of the plastic in the ocean come from just a few polluting

countries. Retrieved Nov 1, 2017, from https://www.fastcompany.com/3051847/most-of-the-

plastic-in-the-ocean-comes-from-just-a-few-polluting-countries

World Wildlife Fund (n.d.) Marine problems: pollution. Retrieved Oct 11, 2017,

from http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/pollution/