MARINE POLLUTION
"Industrial pollution and the discarding of plastic waste must be tackled for the sake of all life in the ocean."
- David Attenborough, broadcaster and natural historian
The definition that National Geographic (2019) provides states that "marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. This pollution results in damage to the environment, to the health of all organisms, and to economic structures worldwide."
According to Ocean Conservancy, 8 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans EACH YEAR (Farnham, Bobbe, & Baechler, 2021). This is on top of the estimated 150 million metric tons that are already in our oceans. The most common types of marine debris are cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bottles, bottle caps, straws, grocery bags, glass bottles, and soda cans.
ARE WE EATING PLASTIC??
"Plastic will be the main ingredient of all our grandchildren's recipes."
- Anthony T. Hincks, author
Tiny bits of broken-down plastics are called microplastics, which are less than 5 millimeters in diameter (National Geographic, 2019). Small organisms consume these microplastics and absorb the chemicals from the plastics into their tissues. Those small organisms are then eaten by larger animals, which then transfers the chemicals and toxins into their tissues. Microplastics have been found in a range of marine species, from plankton to whales alike. As those chemicals and toxins make their way up the food chain, it eventually becomes part of the food that humans eat.
"There is only one pollution because every chemical in the air or on land will end up in the ocean."
- Jacques Yves Cousteau, Marine conservationist
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (2020) reports that one of the biggest sources of pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which is a result of runoff. Some of this runoff comes from sources like septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas (NOAA, 2020).
The increased concentration of chemicals, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in the coastal ocean, provides a welcoming home for algal blooms, which can be toxic to wildlife and harmful to humans (National Geographic, 2019). The negative effects on health and the environment caused by these algal blooms hurt local fishing and tourism industries.
"The clock is ticking; we must confront this challenge before plastics overwhelm the ocean."
- George Leonard, Chief Scientist at Ocean Conservancy
Did you know that only 14% of all plastic packaging is collected for recycling after use? Not only does this result in the loss of $80 to $120 billion per year, but if this continues, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017) predicts that there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.
WHAT CAN I DO?
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."
- Robert Swan, explorer
If I'm being honest, this topic came to mind because sea turtles are my favorite animal and I think they're cute. I mean, look at those faces. I couldn't stand looking at pictures where sea turtles had plastic straws up their nose or soda can rings around their necks, so that's why I didn't include any in here.
On a more serious note, I find it a little terrifying that there would even be a chance that there could be more PLASTIC than FISH in the ocean. It doesn't matter that it's a possibility in 2050, frankly, 30 years isn't that far from now, but that possibility shouldn't even exist. I love the water. I love swimming and I love the ocean. I'm just one person, so there isn't much I can do, but I'm still making an effort. I refuse to use any plastic straws given at restaurants and I always bring reusable grocery bags to the store. Whenever I get takeout (support your local businesses!), I don't take their plastic utensils. Go home and use your own. Wash the dishes and save a turtle from choking. It may not be much, but more people means a bigger impact.
REFERENCES
Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2017, December 13). The new PLASTICS economy: Rethinking the future of PLASTICS & catalysing action. Retrieved from https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications/the-new-plastics-economy-rethinking-the-future-of-plastics-catalysing-action
Farnham, M., Bobbe, S., & Baechler, B. (2021, March 16). Plastics in the ocean. Retrieved from https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/plastics-in-the-ocean/
National Geographic Society. (2019, June 27). Marine pollution. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/marine-pollution/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2020, April). Ocean pollution. Retrieved from https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-pollution
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