Facts About Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is a pervasive problem affecting oceans worldwide. Common items found on beaches include plastic bags, bottles, drums, expanded polystyrene packing, polyurethane foam pieces, fishing nets, ropes, traffic cones, lighters, tyres, and toothbrushes. These items are indicative of the widespread plastic pollution in the ocean.
Highlight: Around 100 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, with 10 million tonnes ending up in the sea. Approximately 80% of this pollution comes from land-based sources.
The longevity of plastic in the marine environment is staggering. Plastic pollution ocean article sources often note that plastic items can take up to 1000 years to decompose fully. This persistence contributes significantly to the accumulation of plastic in our oceans.
Definition: The "Trash Vortex" or "Eastern Garbage Patch" refers to a large area in the North Pacific sub-tropical gyre where plastic debris accumulates due to circular ocean currents.
The North Pacific sub-tropical gyre is a prime example of how plastic ends up in the ocean. The water circulates clockwise in a low spiral, with light winds pushing floating material into the low-energy center of the gyre. This phenomenon results in a high concentration of plastic debris, with estimates suggesting six kilos of plastic for every kilo of plankton in these areas.
Vocabulary: Gyre - A large system of rotating ocean currents, particularly those involved with large wind movements.
The causes and consequences of ocean plastic pollution are numerous and severe. The durability of plastic, while beneficial for many applications, becomes problematic in the ocean environment. Sunlight, wave action, and mechanical abrasion slowly break down plastic into smaller pieces, creating microplastics that are easily ingested by marine life.
Example: Cargo ships often carry packing cases filled with small plastic pellets, which can spill and spread across the ocean. These pellets are frequently found during beach clean-ups.
Plastic pollution affects sea life throughout the ocean in various ways. Seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles often mistake plastic items for prey, leading to fatal consequences. Over a million seabirds and one hundred thousand marine mammals and sea turtles are killed each year by either ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in discarded netting and fishing lines.
Quote: "Many seabirds and chicks have been found dead, their stomachs filled with bottle tops, lighters, and balloons."
Furthermore, plastic acts as a "chemical sponge," absorbing toxic pollutants. When animals consume these contaminated plastic pieces, they ingest these harmful substances, leading to severe health issues and potential bioaccumulation up the food chain.
Floating plastic also serves as a transport mechanism for invasive species, allowing plants and animals to move into new ocean areas beyond their natural habitats. This phenomenon disrupts the natural balance of ecosystems, further compounding the impacts of plastic pollution in the oceans on marine species, biodiversity and ecosystems.
To address this global issue, several ocean pollution solutions are proposed:
- Use less plastic in daily life
- Manage garbage properly to prevent it from entering waterways
- Participate in beach cleanup efforts
- Support organizations addressing plastic pollution
These actions, when adopted widely, can help mitigate the dangers of plastic pollution and protect our oceans for future generations.