Introduction to the Problem of Plastics

For the average American, it is very difficult to go through the day without using some sort of plastic. As the trash cans fill up, most people believe that that is the end of their trash's journey. They believe that their trash will go on to a landfill or an incinerator. The less discussed result of plastic usage, however, is that it ends up in our oceans, where it is unwelcome by the oceanic ecosystem. Plastics production has grown 500% over the last 30 years. It is still increasing at a rate of 3-5% per year, and the amount of plastic in our ocean will continue to follow this increasing trend^[1]. When the organisms in the oceans consume plastic, their health is sacrificed or they may face life-threatening illnesses. The loss of ecosystem diversity is a major issue that results from plastic pollution. Generally, the public is uninformed about the real costs of their plastic usage. Choosing to stay away from single use plastic, and recycle the plastic that is used, is difficult when results cannot often be seen on a daily basis. Too many people make their decisions based off of the little knowledge they may have regarding plastic pollution.

Plastic Pollution Plays a Major Role in the Loss of Biodiversity

Once plastic bags are ingested, they cannot be digested or passed by an animal so it stays in the gut. Plastic in an animal’s gut can prevent food digestion and can lead to a very slow and painful death.

Additionally, when plastic ends up in the ocean, oftentimes animals find themselves tangled in the debris. Entanglement is found to affect nearly all groups of marine vertebrates. Once an animal is entangled, they often cannot escape and will eventually die. Entanglement is also a significant threat to all marine species. For example, up to 40,000 fur seals are killed each year when they get tangled in debris. This contributes to a population decline of 4-6% per year. Globally more than 200 species are known to be affected by marine pollution including whales, seals, dugong, seabirds, turtles, crabs, seasnakes, sharks, rays and other fish. ^[5]

Examples of Plastic's Effects on Wildlife

A Bryde's whale dies after swallowing 6 square meters of plastic

In August 2000, an eight metre Bryde's whale died soon after becoming stranded on a Cairns beach. An autopsy found that the whale's stomach was tightly packed with 6 m² of plastic, including many plastic check-out bags. Such obstructions in animals can cause severe pain, distress and death.^[1]

388 Sea Lions Entangled in Plastic Debris

An eight-year study in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia documented 388 sea lions entangled in plastic debris. These plastic packing bands and rubber bands can become so embedded in the animal that it can lead to severe infection and death.^[2]

Declining Sea Turtle Population

A study from 2013 found that over 50% of sea turtles are ingesting plastic bags at an increasing rate, and dying because of it. In a separate study, it was found that 15% of young turtle were ingesting enough plastic pollution that their digestive system had become severely obstructed. ^[2]

Plastic pollution leads to the deaths of millions of marine bird species each year

The Laysan albatross bird is one of the major species that is harmed because of plastic pollution. Their way of hunting for fish puts them at a greater risk of ingesting plastic. An estimated 98% of albatross studied are found to have ingested some kind of plastic debris. Once the plastic is ingested, it can block the digestive system and puncture internal organs. ^[2]

1. "Seaweek 2012: Marine Debris." MESA, 2012, www.mesa.edu.au/seaweek2012/

background01.asp. Accessed 22 May 2018.

2. "How Plastic Bags Affect Wildlife." Ben McCarthy Design, 2 Apr. 2014,

benmccarthydesign.weebly.com/research-project-ad5402/

how-plastic-bags-affect-wildlife. Accessed 22 May 2018.

3. Henn, Corrine. "These 5 Marine Animals Are Dying Because of Our Plastic

Trash Here’s How We Can Help." One Green Planet, 5 Feb. 2017,

www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/

marine-animals-are-dying-because-of-our-plastic-trash/. Accessed 22 May

2018.

4. "Plastic Microparticles Found in Flesh of Fish Eaten by Humans." Independent, 26

July 2017, www.independent.co.uk/environment/

plastic-microparticles-fish-flesh-eaten-humans-food-chain-mackerel-anchovy-mullet

-a7860726.html. Accessed 22 May 2018.

5. "Marine Debris Biodiversity Impacts and Potential Solutions." The Conservation,

22 Aug. 2011, theconversation.com/

marine-debris-biodiversity-impacts-and-potential-solutions-2131. Accessed

22 May 2018.