We have all heard the mantra: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. We know plastic isn’t natural and doesn’t decompose. After all, you can’t compost plastic, right? You’ve probably seen those heart-wrenching images of straws in sea turtles’ noses or birds eating trash. You might even be in the habit of cutting up six-pack rings. But what’s going on with plastic pollution in our aquatic environments? Let’s dive deeper.

The Problem with Plastics

Plastic is a synthetic material made from petroleum. It is used universally in households, industries, and stores. It is in our packaging, storage containers, and even cosmetics, often hidden behind scientific aliases on ingredient lists.

Plastics are not inherently bad. For instance, plastics are used to make many lifesaving medical devices. The real issue is how we use and dispose of them, especially those designed to be used once. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), global plastic production hit 300 million tons annually in 2021. Unfortunately, half of this is single-use plastic like water bottles, food packaging, and grocery bags. About 14 million tons of plastic enter our oceans each year. While some plastic comes from fishing and shipping, most make its way to the ocean from the land via wind and stormwater runoff.

Tiny Plastics, Big Issues

A significant issue with plastics is how small some debris can be. Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces less than 5mm, about the size of a pencil eraser. Even smaller are nanoplastics, which measure less than 1 micrometer. For context, a human hair is about 80 micrometers wide.
Microplastics are categorized based on how they are created. Primary microplastics are designed to be small, like pre-production pellets, toy stuffing beads, beanbag fillers, and glitter. They were even used in cosmetics before the 2015 Microbead-Free Waters Act banned them in the U.S.

Secondary microplastics result from the breakdown of larger plastics. This breakdown produces tiny pieces tossed around by waves, fragments from Styrofoam packaging, and everyday wear and tear. Microfibers, the most common microplastics in wastewater and fresh water, come from synthetic clothing like polyester and nylon. Over time, washing and wearing these clothes release tiny fibers.

So what impact do microplastics have on aquatic life?

Plastic pollution has significant environmental impacts that are not yet fully understood. Microplastics pose a particular concern as their long-term effects are largely unknown. Some of the key environmental impacts of plastics include:

1. Leaching of chemicals: Plastics can release chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA), which can have harmful effects on living organisms.
2. Contamination by toxins: Microplastics can adsorb and transport various toxins, potentially leading to the contamination of the environment and food chain.
3. Reduced feeding and reproductive fitness: Plastic pollution may disrupt the feeding behavior and reproductive success of certain species, with potentially far-reaching consequences for ecosystems.
4. Bioaccumulation: Plastic particles and the associated toxins may accumulate in the bodies of living organisms, potentially causing long-term harm as they move up the food chain.

And how can we help at home?

To reduce your plastic footprint, start by choosing clothing and bedding made from natural fibers like cotton and linen instead of synthetics. Cut back on single-use plastics whenever possible, such as by using reusable fabric shopping bags. Properly dispose of and recycle plastic items to minimize their environmental impact. For food storage, opt for reusable glass containers over plastic alternatives. When it comes to personal care products, read labels carefully and avoid those containing plastic ingredients like polyethylene. Get involved in reducing plastic waste by talking to your friends, family, and neighbors about adopting eco-friendly habits. Organize or volunteer for a cleaning event at the beach, at a park, or around your neighborhood. If you go to the beach, take your garbage with you, and before rain or storm events, make sure that there are no plastic items around your house that could be easily carried away by the wind or the water. With small changes in our daily lives, we can collectively make a meaningful difference in addressing the growing problem of plastic pollution.

Overall, the widespread presence of plastic pollution in the environment and its complex interactions with living systems underscores the need for more research to understand the full extent of its long-term impacts and to develop solutions to address this pressing environmental challenge. The good news is that you can be part of the solution. You can start reducing your plastic footprint today.

Sources:

IUCN. 2021. Marine Plastic Pollution. https://www.iucn.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/marine_plastic_pollution_issues_brief_nov21.pdf

EPA. Microplastics Research. https://www.epa.gov/water-research/microplastics-research

UN Environmental Programme. Microplastics in wastewater: towards solutions. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/microplastics-wastewater-towards-solutions

Maia McGuire, Yun-Ya Yang, Ignacio A. Rodriguez-Jorquera, Gurpal S. Toor, and Alexander J. Reisinger. Contaminants in the Urban Environment: Microplastics. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/SS649

 

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process
During the preparation of this work, the authors used ChatGPT to help build the blog post. After using this tool/service, the author reviewed and edited the content, and takes full responsibility for the content of the public.