Plastic Pollution: A Threat to Our Oceans
Plastic Pollution in the Ocean
Plastic is the most common type of pollution in the ocean today. It comes from a variety of sources, including litter, wastewater, and industrial activities. Once in the ocean, plastic can break down into smaller pieces, known as microplastic. Microplastic can be ingested by marine animals, where it can block their digestive systems and leach toxic chemicals into their bodies.
The Extent of the Problem
A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that there are at least 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, weighing nearly 269,000 tons. This is the most robust estimate of marine plastic pollution to date.
The study’s authors collected water samples and conducted visual surveys at 24 sites around the world, including all five subtropical gyres. They found that microplastic accounted for about 90 percent of the total garbage count.
The Sources of Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution enters the ocean from a variety of sources, including:
- Rivers: Plastic waste can be washed into rivers by stormwater runoff and sewage overflows.
- Coastlines: Plastic litter can be blown into the ocean by the wind or washed away by waves.
- Ships: Plastic waste can be dumped overboard from ships or lost during accidents.
The Fate of Plastic Pollution
Once in the ocean, plastic can be transported by currents and winds. It can also break down into smaller pieces, known as microplastic. Microplastic can be ingested by marine animals, where it can block their digestive systems and leach toxic chemicals into their bodies.
The Impacts of Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution has a number of negative impacts on marine life, including:
- Ingestion: Marine animals can ingest plastic, which can block their digestive systems and lead to starvation.
- Entanglement: Marine animals can become entangled in plastic debris, which can restrict their movement and cause injury or death.
- Toxicity: Plastic can leach toxic chemicals into the water, which can harm marine animals and humans.
Solutions to Plastic Pollution
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean, including:
- Reducing our use of plastic: We can reduce our use of plastic by choosing reusable products over disposable ones and recycling plastic whenever possible.
- Improving waste management: We can improve waste management by reducing litter, increasing recycling, and investing in new technologies to capture and remove plastic from the environment.
- Cleaning up plastic pollution: We can clean up plastic pollution by organizing beach cleanups and supporting organizations that are working to remove plastic from the ocean.
Conclusion
Plastic pollution is a serious threat to our oceans and marine life. We need to take action to reduce our use of plastic, improve waste management, and clean up plastic pollution. By working together, we can protect our oceans for future generations.