Overview
Ocean
contamination by plastic pollution is a growing problem worldwide. Since plastics don’t biodegrade, they persist
and accumulate in large ocean gyres (rotating ocean currents). As many of these plastics float near the surface,
they are often mistaken for food by birds and fish. Plastic ingestion can lead to choking,
starvation, and drowning of marine species as well as introduce organic
toxicants into the food chain. The bioaccumulation of toxic pollutants in fish and other
marine species through plastic ingestion also has indirect implications for
public health due to our consumption of these species. In this blog, I’ll highlight the main points
surrounding plastic pollution in the hopes that by increasing awareness we can
collectively begin to curb our use of plastic and improve public health and the
environment.
Lifecycle of Plastic Pollution
Plastics that don’t reach the
landfill are often swept to nearby ditches and streams by wind and rain, at which
point they are carried to the ocean. Once
in the ocean, plastics then enter large-scale rotating currents called ocean
gyres. Due to the convergence of surface
water, these gyres effectively concentrate plastics and other floating debris,
earning the name “garbage patches” as with our very own Pacific Garbage
Patch off the coast of California. Plastic polymers do not undergo
biodegradation, but rather photodegradation, meaning instead of being
metabolized and transformed by living organisms they are simply divided into small
particles by the effects of sunlight. Plastics
therefore persist and accumulate indefinitely in ocean gyres and in the
environment in general.
Relevance to Public
Health and the Environment
Due to their hydrophobic properties,
plastics readily attract PCBs, DDT, and other harmful pollutants. Consequently, floating plastics essentially
become toxic pills. By way of ingestion,
these plastic particles, or pills, introduce toxicants into the marine food
chain, becoming concentrated in fish and other marine species over time. The smallest plastic fragments have both the
highest proportion of contaminants as well as the greatest likelihood of being
ingested by marine animals. It is
through human consumption of these animals that plastics pose an indirect threat
to public health. Many of the
contaminants that bind to plastics are the same chemicals I’ve discussed in
earlier blogs such as phthalates and pesticides, associated with hormone
disruption, cancer, organ disruption, etc. (See Pesticides in Food and Toxic
Water Bottles). In addition to human health effects, bottle caps, lighters, and other plastic debris are often
ingested by marine birds and fish, preventing their migration and reproduction
as well as causing choking and starvation.
Plastics also entangle marine species, leading to restricted growth and
suffocation. Lastly, and perhaps least
obvious, buoyant plastics when aided by currents can serve as vehicles for
introducing foreign and destructive species to new habitats.
Plastic Facts
- The average American throws away about 186 pounds of plastic per year.
- The
plastic-to-plankton ratio is over 6:1 in some regions of the
- Nearly every plastic created that hasn’t been incinerated still exists somewhere in the environment
- Over 8 million tons of plastic are washed into the oceans from the land each year
- Studies show that 100% of certain marine bird chick carcasses and regurgitated food boluses contain plastic
Do Your Part to Help!
- Avoid purchasing/using plastic products such as single-use plastic water bottles and grocery bags, plastic substitutes usually exist (e.g. stainless steel bottles and reusable bags).
- Recycle your plastic products and encourage others to do the same.
- Avoiding purchasing excessively packaged goods and choose products packaged in recycled material when possible
- Avoid littering and pick up litter when you see it
- Put pressure on government officials to address the issue of marine plastics in the ocean
For
more details and info on the issue of marine plastic contamination, visit
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Thanks!!
-Shahir Masri , MS
what is the difference between biodegradation and photodegradation?
ReplyDeleteThe facts about our use of plastics were very interesting and eye opening.
Photodegradation is the process of decomposing plastic by light or radiant source. Biodegradation is the process when plastics are broken down by the metabolism by micro-organisms. Yes, I agree! This information in this blog is very useful. I am very appreciative that I was able to gain knowledge about this site.
DeleteIt is upsetting to see those animals being tortured by human consumption of plastic.
ReplyDeleteIf the topic is already well aware and it's effect are showing, how come the government is doing nothing to it?
It breaks my heart how these animals have to pay the price for the amount of plastic humans use. If people are aware of the harmful affects plastic has, why is it still being made?
ReplyDeleteThe world uses plastic because it is cheap and serves many purposes. Plastic is also lighter and easier to use than metals and glass. Plastic bags used in grocery stores cost approximately $0.01 to $0.02 whereas paper bags cost $0.04 to $0.05 and require more energy to produce. Even though plastic is an environmental hazard, it convenient and has become the norm.
DeleteIndia has a problem with plastic garbage. There is a company that has developed an edible spoon so that people are not using plastic cutlery. The spoons are durable and can be eaten after use. http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/edible-cutlery-protect-environment-india/
In regards to alternatives to plastic, here are a few choices:
1. Shop with reusable shopping bags, and support the ban on plastic bags.
2. Stop buying and drinking bottled water, use stainless steel canisters instead.
3. Polylactic acid (PLA) is an aliphatic polyester made from lactic acid from starch fermentation. It can be produced from corn, wheat or sugarcane.
4. If you must use plastic opt for biodegradable plastics
It is very interesting and eye opening to learn that even the smallest piece of plastic can cause contamination to the ocean as well as pose a threat to any marine animal that devours it. Also, you've listed many ways that the world as a whole can work on to reduce plastic pollution; however is it achievable knowing that many people nowadays may not have any knowledge of how plastic is polluting our waters?
ReplyDeleteIt is shocking to see how toxic plastic is and we are still using it everyday in our lives. It is also unfair and heartbreaking to see these animals suffer the consequences of humans' recklessness. Is their any alternative to plastic that is less toxic and better for the environment ?
ReplyDeleteThe facts about plastic were intriguing.
ReplyDeleteAre there any alternatives that can be made instead of plastic? How would the government address this issue and regulate it?
It's saddening to see these marine animals getting hurt because of how little people actually know of this. Is there some way we can get rid of those plastics that are currently in these "garbage patches"?
ReplyDeleteIt is troubling to realize that a majority of marine animals have been suffering (and still suffer today) from an indirect/direct human-induced action (our consumption of plastics). Despite the popularity of this issue, is there a reason why the government has not issued a law or statement trying to prevent plastic pollution? Is plastic pollution an ignored problem, or an unknown problem?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt is disturbing to witness how these species are being exposed and put through this sort of environment which we all play a huge roll in making and I'm sure we can all do our part to change our ways for the better by utilizing some of the helpful strategies you have suggested. My question is: has there been a significant increase in illnesses that people are getting that ties into how much fish/marine animals they consume? And was it because these species, at one point consumed plastic fragments that had contaminants in them?
ReplyDeleteI am horrified by the fact that what we as people are doing not only have consequences for us, but have catastrophic effects for the environment. I believe everyone has some knowledge on how their is trash in the oceans, but they aren't aware of how bad it has gotten. I also believe that people are aware that this is killing marine life, but they only assume that its a few out of the bunch and not common place. Its also pathetic to see how even after some people learn about the harmful affects of their actions, they can't seem to care. What entitlements to earth do we have that the animals and environment don't? Will people only see the damage once it's too late?
ReplyDeleteThis made me realize that animals need better protection and plastics should be managed more carefully. What are other areas where plastics are being managed from run offs?
ReplyDeleteI am really sad that so much plastic is being left to linger in the ocean and cause a dangerous environment to the animals. plastic is something that can be confused for as food by many marine mammals as well as birds and other species. Plastic is slowly killing the animals and nothing is really being done which is infuriating to think of. I dont get how this isn't being stopped and how we are allowing this to happen. We are the only ones that can physically protect the animals but we are not doing so. Why have we not done anything to stop plastic production? Why do we still buy plastic products if we know they are hazardous? When will there be a change and have people realize the damage being done?
ReplyDeleteThis encourages me to recycle my plastics and carry around bags when I go shopping so that I don't attain more bags. It is absolutely tragic for the marine animals to mistake the bags as food. I've recently went on a field trip that also said that the smallest plastics are the most threatening such as nurdles which animals may mistake as fish eggs. Is there any filtering that can be made to prevent many of these plastic bags that do detrimental damage to the animals?
ReplyDeletePlastic pollution is something that is being taken very seriously these days. Most of California is a very dry state, so when it finally starts to rain the pollution built up over the dry months whether plastic bags, bottles, or toxins wash up streets to storm drains and rivers, then out to the ocean. This is hurting our poor marine life and people don't seem to notice what's happening. Do you think this is happening because people aren't well educated ?
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things new and interesting things that I've learned in this article but I think the one that surprised me was 8 million tons of plastic makes its way to the ocean each year. That seems unbelievable but I believe it is a fact (otherwise you would have not posted it). Do you believe the legislation that requires people to pay 10 cents per plastic bag at the grocery (some counties in Riverside) an effective way of reducing plastic waste?
ReplyDeletePinky Rhone (COH 608 - Public Health and the Environment)
*grocery stores (some counties but not Riverside County)
DeleteI was interested in learning about the impacts of marine plastics to the ocean contamination. I was aware that plastic can be toxic, however, everyone is still using it on a daily bases, either at home or office. This article is very informative and also it is an eye opener to learn that even the smallest plastic fragments can cause so much pollution to the ocean, to the marine animals, and to the human health. Learning how the plastic pollution encouraged me to continue recycling in order to reduce the contamination to the ocean. Now I am wondering, if there are other options that can we use instead of plastic to help to reduce the ocean contamination?
ReplyDeleteGloria Fajardo (COH 608 Public Health and the Environment)
Hi Gloria. There are many things people can do to reduce plastic waste. First thing is minimizing the use of it. For example, grocery shopping. I go to Sam's Club for pretty much all the things I need. They don't give grocery bags at all. If I go to some other store, still I just keep everything in the shopping cart and I keep a laundry bucket in the trunk of my car and put all the groceries in to the bucket when I leave the store. Pretty much no kind of grocery bag at all.
DeleteAnother thing we do in my family is putting all the plastic in recyclables.
Another thing is when people buy some things online, they have option to get hassle free packaging which doesn't have that much amount of plastic in it.
When I was a barista at Starbucks I used to volunteer at their community events and one of them was cleaning the beach. Many people feel like it is not "cool" but I liked it.
Interesting Article.
ReplyDeleteAt least one thing new and interesting I learned:
Honestly...much of this I was already familiar with, regarding the dumping of plastic in or near the oceans. However; I did not know that: 'Nearly every plastic created that hasn’t been incinerated still exists somewhere in the environment.' This truly makes you wonder about what is happening to all of the plastic bags which are being purchased from the grocery stores. In addition to the many other numerous plastic products that we use.
Also, a question that I have regarding this article is:
'Do you believe that there should be more states such as: Hawaii, Arizona, and California (who have passed stricter laws regarding grocery store plastic bag forced recycling?), to enact the same types of laws regarding their own sales? For example, do you believe that these controversial laws even work?
I was aware that animals become tangled up in plastic and can cause marine animals to suffocate as well, however, I was unaware that “buoyant plastics when aided by currents can serve as vehicles for introducing foreign and destructive species to new habitats”. This was interesting to me and it makes perfect sense. Why is it taking so long for the government to enact a law to restrict the use of plastic bags in groceries stores as well as other stores? Although some cities already have this enacted, why can’t the federal government intervene?
ReplyDeleteI was aware that animals become tangled up in plastic and can cause marine animals to suffocate as well, however, I was unaware that “buoyant plastics when aided by currents can serve as vehicles for introducing foreign and destructive species to new habitats”. This was interesting to me and it makes perfect sense. Why is it taking so long for the government to enact a law to restrict the use of plastic bags in groceries stores as well as other stores? Although some cities already have this enacted, why can’t the federal government intervene?
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that plastic particles attract pollutants and can then be ingested by marine animals causing them to become contaminated.I think that if more people were aware that this effect will cause us humans issues as well (because we consume marine animals as well), more people would be encouraged to learn ways to prevent so much plastic from being used and disposed of in our oceans. I guess my question is whether are any programs that can introduce the public to this issue and educate them not just on the amount of trash we as humans dump into the ocean but on the chemical effects that plastic and other waste cause on different species and environments?
ReplyDeleteLeticia Chavolla Salazar
Hi Leticia,
DeleteGreat question, however, according with the text book and articles, it is my understanding that there are in place several programs around the world, also the US Congress passed a bill in 2006, The Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act, to create a program to address the marine debris pollution. One of the requirements in the bill was for NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the U.S. Coast Guard, to promulgate a definition of marine debris for the purposes of the Act. As a result, USCG and NOAA drafted and published a definition of marine debris in September 2009, and his definition is “Any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.” I agree with you that one of the main starting points is education and information; I believe if we are more aware of the damage that we are provoking with the plastic pollution to the ocean will make a difference. The media would play an important role in providing awareness about the preventive programs.
I’m horrified to see the pictures of the sea life that is affected by the plastic waste that has made its way into our oceans. The picture of the turtle is hard to even look at and I can’t imagine the pain of having that wrapped around it. I had no idea that we throw away let alone use that much plastic. I’m glad that I recycle and will continue to do so especially after seeing all of the trash on the beaches of San Diego.
ReplyDeleteMy question in regards to this post is what if anything is being done by the federal government to regulate the disposal of plastics in landfills versus recycling incentives?
I try to limit my use of plastic, and when I do I make sure to recycle it or find use for them. T is frightening to learn that those chemicals affects those marine life and many of those are our food source.
DeleteThis is very sad. I've seen pictures of marine animals being affected by the waste found in ocean water. The amount of plastic we use is off the charts. We always say that we have to recycle, but how effective is recycling products if most don't do it. I learned how many of the plastics contain chemicals that these marine life can ingest and in turn we eat some of these marine. My question is, why aren't government pushing for more stringent laws?
ReplyDeleteIt is very terrible to see these animals being victim of our mistakes. There are many things we can do but does anyone know that U.S. Navy doing anything about this problem? The reason I ask is that there are many U.S. Navy ships and they might be contributing to the Pacific Garbage Patch. I recently came to know about a project of an idea to clean up the ocean. Here is the website. http://inhabitat.com/19-year-old-student-develops-ocean-cleanup-array-that-could-remove-7250000-tons-of-plastic-from-the-worlds-oceans/
ReplyDeleteThe problems I see is that for the companies to produce new plastic is cheaper than recycling it. I think agencies like EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency)and CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) should provide funding to the recycling companies.
The ratio of plastic vs plankton is really shocking! I am aware of the damaging effects of plastic on our environment and that is why I always try my best to use alternate options like reusable water bottles and shopping bags for groceries. But what I find very interesting is that even the well documented potential damaging effects of plastic use have not moved our law makers to change our current policies and issue stricter laws on plastic use and recycling.
ReplyDeleteMy question is that why is our environment not a priority for our law makers? What is it going to take to make them sit up and take notice of the damaging effects of plastic use on our environment?
I am happy that we have the same concept on environmental protection, our company INTCO http://www.intcorecycling.com recycling waste styrofoam to reproduce beautiful frame or moulding to replace wood or marble.
ReplyDeletePlastic is do harm to the human beings life, I am happy that we have the same concept on environmental protection, our company INTCO http://www.intcorecycling.com recycling waste styrofoam to reproduce beautiful frame or moulding to replace wood or marble.
ReplyDelete