Side effects of plastic in the oceans

The effects of plastic in our oceans is devastating to the environment, wildlife and ourselves as humans. The balance of the ecosystem in our oceans is delicate and when you introduce foreign objects that are filling the oceans at an alarming rate, it throws everything off balance.

Whether it be the production of plastic contributing to pollution that causes water temperatures to rise, or fish and sea life consuming plastic, there are millions of reasons to cut back plastic.

Side effects on our environment

– Tiny fragments of plastic litter the ocean, about 40 percent of the world's ocean surfaces

– Plastic pollution effects the balance of the oceans ecosystem, by introducing new chemicals and foreign substances

– Industrial waste damages the oceans severely

– Marine life that thrives in the sea fatally consumes plastic

The ocean covers 71% of our earth, and the tiny ocean plants – called phytoplankton – create almost 50-80% of our oxygen, with their photosynthesis. Our oceans also supply humans the greatest amount of protein, from fish.

Plastic can be found in swirling convergences making up 40% of the oceans surface, these are called gyres. All five of the Earth's major ocean gyres are inundated with plastic pollution, with the largest garbage patch, The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is estimated to be the size of Texas.

When you introduce foreign objects to the staggering quantity and frequency that plastic is entering our oceans, the chemicals and mass of plastic seriously harms the oceans environment by effecting the marine life, the sea bed and balance of the ecosystem. The ocean's environment is also damaged by toxic spills and chemical waste that ends up in the sea.

Side effects on humans

– Over 100 million tonnes of fish are eaten world-wide each year

– Toxins from plastic pollution contaminates the fish we eat

– Debris on beaches have serious economic impact on communities that are dependent on tourism, and is harmful to human health

""All sea creatures, from the largest to the microscopic organisms, are, at one point or another, swallowing the seawater soup instilled with toxic chemicals from plastic decomposition.

The world population “… (is) eating fish that have eaten other fish, which have eaten toxin-saturated plastics. In essence, humans are eating their own waste.”"

(Dixit Renee Brown, WiredPress)

Side effects on wildlife

– 800 animal species are negatively affected by litter in our seas

– Plastic debris kills an estimated 100,000 marine mammals annually, as well as millions of birds and fishes

– 98% of albatross that were studied had ingested plastic

– 50% of sea turtles have ingested plastic

You don't have to look too far to see the effects plastic has on wildlife.

In the ocean: fish, marine mammals and crustaceans are all effected by plastic. It infests their habitat and they also consume it, which causes death to these animals.

On land: Sea birds, seals, turtles and many more are harmed by plastic, by consuming it or being caught in the debri often causing strangulation and unfortunately death.