Plastic Pollution In The Ocean Essay Example

The oceans make up more than 70% of Earth and it is important to keep the oceans clean. Unfortunately, that is not the case, the oceans have been suffering from a growing number of plastic pollution since the 1970s. According to researchers, if this issue continues in the future, the ocean could be filled with more plastic than fish in 2050. In 2020, WorldOceanNetwork recorded “an estimate of over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste in the oceans”. Human populations are practically using the oceans as a trash bin, and the number of plastic entering the oceans each year is still increasing. What is the reason for the increase of plastic pollution affecting the marine ecosystem and our health? Inside these plastics are filled with fragments called microplastics, and microplastics are fragments of any type of plastic less than 5 mm in length, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the European Chemicals Agency. They cause pollution by entering natural ecosystems from a variety of sources, like cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes. Microplastics pollution is a prominent threat to the marine ecosystem and it can also be life threatening to human nature. Due to the fact that microplastic are incredibly minuscule, it can easily spread throughout the ocean, and eventually transferred into the food chain. These tiny yet deadly particles can cause brain damage and behavioral problems in marine animals. Furthermore, these particles can even penetrate into the human bodies, and the potential hazardous effects of ingesting microparticles can cause alteration in chromosome structure which can potentially lead to infertility, obesity, and cancer. It is obvious that no one would want to personally experience the effects unless they are already affected. Because of the growing number of plastic pollution and the health concerns that follow with it, it is important to control the use of plastics products and introduce policies in order to regulate plastic litter.

There are many factors that are contributing to the increase of plastic pollution. According to Karin Mattsson’s research, Brain damage and behavioural disorders in fish induced by plastic nanoparticles, Karin stated that “the production of plastic material has increased tremendously during the last decades, and about 10% of the plastics produced annually end up in the oceans.” Similarly, Shivika Sharma and Subhankar Chatterjee also claimed in their research, Microplastic pollution, a threat to marine ecosystem and human health, that due to its durability and inexpensive production materials, manufacturers prefer producing plastics. “[W]ide range of products are made up of plastics due to their ease of manufacture, inertness (chemical, temperature and light resistance as well), low cost, high strength [,] weight ratio and resistance to water” (Shivika and Subhankar 1). Because of its highly durable ability, it’s obvious consumers would prefer to use plastic products over others. However, because of its highly durable nature plastics are extremely difficult to dispose of. Furthermore, plastics recycling is one of if not the most effective way to reduce plastics pollution, unfortunately, “majority of the plastic debris ends up in landfill which takes a long duration for its breakdown and decomposition” (Shivika and Subhankar 1). This long process of plastics decomposition is why plastics end up in the oceans instead of recycling bins. 

As mentioned before, microplastics or nanoparticles are the byproducts of plastic. These tiny particles are the reason why plastics do not belong in the ocean. According to Karin Mattsson, once plastics enter the ocean, “[they] can [break] up into smaller pieces through the action of sunlight, waves, living organisms in the water and by the water itself.” Moreover, these microorganisms are exceptionally harmful for marine life and can cause severe damage to their tissues and environment. The reason for this occurrence is that these plastic materials can also be broken down even further. These are called nanoparticles, “which may be anb even more potent threat since plastic nanoparticles are able to pass through biological barriers, penetrate tissue[,] and accumulate in organs and affect behaviour and metabolism of organisms” (Karin 1). Karin’s evidence also correl;ates with Shivika and Subhankar, they claimed that “marine organisms are affected by the microplastics due to the clogging of intestinal tract, suppression of feeding due to satiation, inhibition of gastric enzyme secretion, imbalance of steroid hormone levels, delay in ovulation and infertility” (Shivika and Subhankar 7). In addition, a study has shown how plastic nanoparticles can access and penetrate into the blood brain barrier of a fish, resulting in behavioral changes. Karin and his team came up with a result after three months of researching, they’ve found that “plastic nanoparticles are transferred through three topic levels, suggesting that they are likely to be transferred even further up the food web to ultimately reach humans” (Karin 5). Moreover Karin claims that it is unlikely for these deadly particles to reach human food, however, with the accelerating rate of plastic pollution, as Karin suggested, there is a possibility. Microplastics have been shown to be ingested and transmitted through food nets by several commercial marine organisms such as mussels, oysters, crabs, and fish. Although the probability of microplastics reaching the top-level consumer is unlikely. How do microplastics affect the human body? The general public are already being exposed to primary microplastics from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, toothpaste, scrubs, and hand washing. Even though absorbing and consuming primary microplastics is not considered harmful, ingesting microplastics from fish can lead to serious health problems, including chromosomal alteration which then lead to infertility, obesity and even cancer. In the case of women, estrogenic mimicking can lead to breast cancer. 

According to a research study, Advantages and Disadvantages of Ocean Dumping, by Judith Wilson, dumping sewage sludge at sea is banned in the United States and the European Union, however, it is still considered legal in some other countries. Moreover, there are items of trash that can actually improve the marine environment overall. Judith Wilson suggested that, “Artificial reefs provide a habitat for thousands of marine invertebrates and fish. Large items of trash, including old tires, decommissioned ships and car bodies, have all been placed to create artificial reefs. In the right location, trash can enhance rather than damage marine ecosystems.” Although dumping trash into the oceans can be somewhat beneficial to the environment according to Juidith Wilson. This action can potentially encourage citizens to mistakenly believe that dumping trash and plastics would somewhat improve the marine living environment. It’s human nature to find a quicker and suitable way to solve problems, however, what is at stake can’t be overlooked by the convenience of human nature. Global and local governments adopt strict legislative rules or laws relating to plastic disposal and should encourage extra research studies on the effects of plastic debris in the environment. Public campaigns and programs should be adopted which will attract public attention against the long-term effects of plastics pollution. For example, international organizations like International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) should be in charge of arranging global scale campaigns. Those that have an influence on social media should also encourage followers to join in the fight against plastic pollution. Furthermore, “[g]overnment should set [zero tolerance] for this issue and compel the industries to use biodegradable materials such as scratch instead of non degradable material” (Shivika and Subhankar 14). Due to the fact that plastic products are able to sustain a rigorous environment, plastics manufacturing industries should take accountability and modify their end-of-life products. Shivika and Subhankar suggested that “[t]his biodegradable material will then be decomposed by microorganisms (bacteria/fungi) and ultimately [reduce] the lifetime of these plastics in the surroundings” (Shivika and Subhankar 14). Recently, the tertiary recycling of plastics has become one of the techniques where plastic products are converted into smaller fragments, which then be used as feedstock for manufacture of petrochemicals.

To sum up everything that has been stated, the human body can not withstand the side effects of microplastics, let alone the marine ecosystem. Marine life is suffering these deadly side effects each year, but who’s really the culprit for this global issue? Although what has been done can no longer be altered or redeemed. The only thing that could be changed is the future.