Cassie Wheeler

Professor Barnes

English 1201

April 14, 2019

On a boat in the ocean off of Costa Rica, a turtle was found with a four-inch

plastic straw up its nose. A team of biologists on the boat tried to help ease the animal’s

suffering by removing the straw with a pair of pliers. (Daly) There is a video of this whole

ordeal online, showing every part of the poor turtle’s agony and suffering while the team

of scientists tried to help it. Many heart-wrenching stories such as this are the result of

pollution that has swarmed the ocean. According to “The Plastic Problem: How Does

Plastic Pollution Affect Wildlife?” there are over 51 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean.

(Two Oceans Aquarium) Ocean pollution is a serious problem that has negative

consequences around the world. People need to be made aware of the effects ocean

pollution has on marine animals and the environment.

Ocean pollution is the result of garbage and other harmful objects and chemicals

being dumped in the ocean. There are two main types of ocean pollution, such as point

source and nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution is defined as pollution that

comes from a single source, such as oil or a chemical spill. Nonpoint source pollution is

defined as pollution that comes from multiple sources that find their way into the ocean,

such as runoff from cars, trucks, and sewage. (NOAA) Plastic pollution is mostly one-

use plastic objects, such as plastic straws, bottles, and bags, that end up in the ocean

due to littering. Between 4.8 million and 12.7 million tons of plastic are dumped into the
ocean each year. Plastic found in the ocean does not always come off of boats or ships

on the water, most of it comes from land. According to “Our Oceans: A Plastic Soup,”

around 80 percent of the plastic that winds up in the ocean originally comes from land. It

makes its way to the ocean through storm drains that flow into rivers and into the ocean,

and also through both legal and illegal trash dumping. (Cho) Plastic can enter the ocean

either as very large, identifiable pieces, such as bottles and bags, or as microplastics,

pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in length. Ocean pollution, especially

plastic pollution, is a serious problem that is ruining the underwater ecosystems and the

marine animals that live in them.

There are many different types of plastic that ends up in the ocean, differing in

size and shape. Each kind of plastic negatively affects marine life in different ways.

Plastic bags have been known to wrap around animals and suffocate them. Plastic

straws are mostly known for being eaten by animals that mistake them for food and

choking that animal. Plastic straws even can be lodged in noses and blowholes, such as

the story of the turtle with the straw up its nose. (Daly) Plastic bottles are also a big

problem for marine life. Many animals mistake plastic bottles and their wrappers as food

and try to eat them. The attempt is most likely unsuccessful and the animal could choke

or suffocate on the bottle. Fishing nets that are mostly composed of plastic also make

their way to the bottom of the ocean when they either fall off the boat they belong on or

are simply discarded because they are too old. These nets can entangle marine animals

and trap them at the ocean floor. Animals in this situation can suffocate, starve to death,

or drown if they happen to be marine mammals. On average, it takes plastic bags 20

years to decompose. Plastic bottles are estimated to take around 450 years to
decompose in the ocean. It is also estimated that fishing line can take up to 600 years

to decompose in the ocean. (Cho) Because of the long life of plastic, it can claim many

victims before finally decomposing. No matter the size or shape, plastic that is dumped

in the ocean has devastating effects on marine animals and their habitats.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/801218589934467307/

This image is based on the horror movie “Jaws.” The artist recreated the movie poster and replaced

the swimmer and the shark with a turtle and straws in the shape of a shark’s head to show how

much of a danger plastic straws and other one-use plastic items can be to marine animals.
 Many species of marine animals become victims of ocean pollution in a lot of

different ways. According to “The Plastic Problem: How Does Plastic Pollution Affect

Wildlife?” over 100 million animals die each year from plastic or other forms of pollution

in the ocean. It is estimated that around 700 different species of marine animals are

affected by plastic, ranging from species of coral to species of whales. Some of the

most common victims of pollution include sea turtles, dolphins, whales, fish, birds, and

coral. According to “The Plastic Problem: How Does Plastic Pollution Affect Wildlife?”

Over 50% of sea turtles mistake plastic for food and eat it, and 50%-80% of those

turtles die from the plastic intake. As stated in “The Plastic Problem: How Does Plastic

Pollution Affect Wildlife?” 54% of all species of marine mammals, which include

dolphins, whales, seals, and sea lions, are impacted by plastic and about 100,000 are

killed each year. The article also mentions that around 114 species of fish are affected

by plastic and about 1 million fish are killed every year. When talking about marine

animals, coral is one thing that does not come to mind often. However, they are living

creatures, and many species are dying due to microplastics that block their digestive

systems. As stated in “The Plastic Problem: How Does Plastic Pollution Affect Wildlife?”

“coral reefs that are littered with plastic are 20 times more likely to be diseased.” Plastic

pollution has devastating effects on all kinds of marine organisms, ranging from fish to

marine mammals to coral reefs.

Although they are not entirely considered marine animals, coastal birds are no

exception to the consequences of plastic pollution in the ocean. According to “The

Plastic Problem: How Does Plastic Pollution Affect Wildlife?” two-thirds of species of

birds that live near oceans are affected by plastic, and millions die yearly. One of the
main ways birds die due to plastic pollution is mistaking it for food. The article, “For

Animals, Plastic is Turning the Ocean into a Minefield,” focuses on the findings of

scientists who observed a certain species of bird on islands off the coasts of Australia

and New Zealand. Their results provided information about the consequences of eating

plastic, which include digestive system blockage, pierced internal organs, and chronic,

unrelenting hunger. Plastic straws and bottle caps can be responsible for this. Another

way plastic wreaks havoc on coastal birds is that they can become entangled in it and

suffocate or drown. Plastic bags, fishing nets, and even plastic packaging for drinks can

be responsible for this. These studies and examples prove that plastic pollution can not

only wreak havoc for animals that live in the ocean, but also the animals that live near

the ocean.

Marine animals can become victims of plastic pollution by indirect means as well.

This means that sea animals do not necessarily have to become entangled in plastic or

mistake it for food in order to face the negative effects. Plastic can make its way into the

ocean food chain, devastating the animals that are a part of it. As stated in the article,

“Protecting the Oceans - Can Damage to Marine Life be Halted,” “even plankton -

microscopic organisms that form the base of ocean food chains - are declining.” This

can cause a devastating chain reaction in the underwater food chain. With the decrease

in plankton, the animals that eat them will not have enough nutrients to thrive. These

second strand animals will become fewer in numbers, creating problems for the animals

that hunt them for food. This trend of dwindling numbers will continue all the way up the

food chain until the animals in it are extinct. Another way plastic pollution can devastate

an underwater food chain is if the animals that eat plankton mistake microplastics for
food. If the second strand animals try to eat microplastics instead of plankton, then two

things could happen as a result. One being that the animals die from the plastic

ingestion, and the rest of the animals in the food chain follow. The second result that

could occur is that the second strand organisms have traces of plastic in their stomachs.

When they are hunted and eaten, the predators will have eaten contaminated food,

which could lead to diseases that kill off the animals in the food chain. No matter which

way it happens, plastic pollution can have devastating effects on the animals in

underwater food chains.

Plastic pollution is not only responsible for killing and endangering species of

marine animals and damaging their food chains, but it is also responsible for destroying

habitats. Plastic objects that do not float collect at the bottom of the ocean, completely

overrunning the natural habitats underneath. Underwater currents can carry plastic

debris to other places in the ocean and drop them off, creating large garbage patches

on the seafloor. According to “Marine Pollution - Centuries of Abuse Have Taken a

Heavy Toll,” a garbage patch in the North Pacific was estimated to be the size of the

state of Texas. This particular garbage patch is referred to as the “Pacific Trash Vortex.”

The underwater currents also make it so that the plastic spreads throughout the entire

ocean, even in the most unexpected places. The article, “Not Even the World’s Deepest

Trenches are Free of Pollution, Scientists Discover,” provides evidence that pollution

has been found in some of the deepest and most remote trenches in the ocean. Due to

garbage patches created by underwater ocean currents, many species of ocean

animals lose their homes.

 It is often believed that ocean pollution is not a pressing issue and does not

require immediate attention. However, ocean pollution is a serious issue that needs to

be addressed right away. Many species of marine animals are becoming endangered

due to pollution overtaking their homes and food sources. Not only is pollution a

problem in the areas where it is dumped, but it also is a problem in some of the deepest

trenches in the ocean. According to the article, “Not Even the World’s Deepest

Trenches are Free of Pollution, Scientists Discover,” chemical pollutants have spread to

some of the deepest trenches in the entire ocean. Ocean pollution is a serious issue

that cannot be overlooked.

Many people feel that they do not have to worry about ocean pollution because

they believe it does not affect humans. They believe that if the problem does not affect

them, then it is not a big deal. However, ocean pollution does have negative effects on

humans. For example, many marine animals mistake plastic for food and eat it. Since

they are unable to digest the plastic, it stays in their stomachs. Humans then eat these

animals that have traces of plastic inside them. Plastic and other pollutants in the ocean

will also contaminate the water that humans drink and swim in. Many people take

vacations to beaches and lakes. In addition to contaminating food and water, ocean

pollution can also affect Earth’s oxygen supply, which will have a direct effect on human

life. In the article “Protecting the Oceans, Can Damage to Marine Life be Halted?”

former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sylvia

Earle states that, “even plankton - microscopic organisms that form the base of ocean

food chains - are declining. Plankton produce about half of Earth’s oxygen supply

through photosynthesis.” (Weeks) Another way that ocean pollution has an effect on
humans is that with the death and endangerment of marine species, fisheries are

suffering. As stated in “Protecting the Oceans, Can Damage to Marine Life be Halted?”

“some fisheries have shrunk by 90 percent in recent decades.” This means that

fisheries are pulling up less and less fish because they are dying at the hands of

pollution. This could mean a loss of jobs and less fish to send to grocery stores and

restaurants. These are just a few examples of how ocean pollution not only has a direct

effect on life in the ocean, but also an effect on humans.

Another argument against raising awareness for ocean pollution is that people

believe it is too big of a problem and nothing can be done to fix it. Many people also feel

that there is nothing that they themselves can do to help. When in fact, there are steps

that can be taken in order to help the cause. These steps include recycling, refusing

one-use plastic items, and choose to use multiple-use plastic items instead. These

multiple-use plastic items include thicker plastic, such as reusable plastic cups and

straws and reusable plastic grocery bags. There are also many organizations whose

sole purpose is to raise awareness about pollution and clean up the oceans. Although it

will not be an easy nor a simple fix, it is not impossible. Small steps can lead to big

leaps and if more people were aware of the issue of ocean pollution, those steps can be

taken.

It’s easy to think that people who do not live in coastal areas don’t contribute to

the pollution problem and therefore do not need to worry about it. When in fact, even

those who live inland, far away from the ocean can contribute to the pollution that ends

up in the sea. This is referred to as nonpoint pollution, when pollution comes from

multiple sources and makes its way to the ocean. Plastic and other pollutants can get
caught in storm drains, which run out to streams and rivers and eventually the ocean.

(Cho) For example, a plastic bottle could fall into a storm drain on the street in a town

that is far inland. The storm drain is linked to streams and rivers which will eventually

lead out to sea, taking the plastic bottle and any other plastic pollutants along with it.

Because of nonpoint pollution, plastic found in the ocean could come from anywhere in

the country, including places far inland. This shows that even people who live far away

from coastal areas can contribute to the plastic problem in the oceans.

In conclusion, ocean pollution is a serious problem for humans, marine animals,

and the environment in general. Ocean pollution can take many forms, but one of the

worst is plastic pollution. Due to its durability and long life, plastic dumped in the ocean

wreaks havoc on marine animals, their habitats, and their food sources. Many species

of sea animals have become endangered as a result of plastic’s devastating effects. If

people are aware of this problem and take steps to fix it, then heartbreaking stories

similar to the turtle with the straw up its nose will not occur as often. It will take time and

a lot of effort, but if humans take responsibility, the ocean and the marine animals that

live there will be protected. Finally, as stated in “The Plastic Problem: How Does Plastic

Pollution Affect Wildlife,” “Plastic pollution is a global problem, let's work together for a

global solution. But … We must also act locally and choose to refuse, recycle, pick

reusable alternatives, and pick up litter whenever we see it.” (Two Oceans Aquarium)
 Works Cited

Cho, Renee. “Our Oceans: A Plastic Soup.” State of the Planet: Earth Institute:

Columbia

University. 26 January 2011.

blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/01/26/our-oceans-a-plastic-soup/ Accessed 1 April

2019.

Daly, Natasha. “For Animals, Plastic is Turning the Ocean into a Minefield.” National

Geographic.
 www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/plastic-planet-animals-wildlife-

impact-waste-pollution/ Accessed 3 March 2019.

Harvey, Chelsea. “Not Even the World’s Deepest Trenches are Free of Pollution,

Scientists Discover.” Los Angeles Times, 13 February 2017

www.latimes.com/ct-ocean-pollution-deepest-trenches-20170213-story.html

Accessed 3 March 2019.

Lonne, Torben. “How Ocean Pollution Impacts Marine Life - and All of Us.” Marine Safe.

18 April 2016.

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“Marine Pollution - Centuries of Abuse Have Taken a Heavy Toll.” National

Geographic. 27 April 2010.

www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/oceans/critical-issues-marine-p

ollution/ Accessed 6 March 2019.

“Ocean Pollution - Each Year, Billions of Pounds of Trash and Other Pollutants Enter

the

Ocean.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). June 2018.

www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts-education-

resources/ocean-pollution Accessed 2 March 2019.

“The Plastic Problem: How Does Plastic Pollution Affect Wildlife.” Two Oceans

Aquarium. 20 July 2018. www.aquarium.co.za/blog/entry/the-plastic-problem-

how-does-plastic-pollution-affect-wildlife Accessed 31 March 2019.

Weeks, Jennifer. “Protecting the Oceans - Can Damage to Marine Life be Halted?” CQ
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library.cqpress.com.sinclair.ohionet.org/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre

2014101700&type=hitlist&num=11 Accessed 5 March 2019.