Plastic Pollution (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Plastic Pollution

• Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic products in the environment, negatively affecting wildlife, habitat and humans

  • Plastic debris is a significant issue in marine environments, where it accumulates and causes various problems

Harm from oceanic plastic pollution

Wildlife impacts

• Ingestion:

  • Many marine animals mistake plastic debris for food

  • This can lead to starvation, malnutrition and death

    • For example, sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, leading to ingestion, which can eventually be fatal

    • Birds, such as albatrosses, have been found with stomachs full of plastic, leading to starvation

• Entanglement:

  • Animals become entangled in plastic waste like fishing nets, six-pack rings for drinks cans and plastic bags, causing injury or death

    • For example, seals often get caught in discarded fishing gear, leading to severe injuries or drowning

    • Whales are often found with fishing nets wrapped around their bodies, restricting movement and causing distress

• Invasive species:

  • Plastics can transport invasive species to new areas, disrupting local ecosystems

    • Barnacles and other small crustaceans can hitch rides on floating plastic debris, spreading to new regions and potentially outcompeting local species

• Chemical leaching:

  • Plastics can release toxic additives into the water, such as bisphenol A (BPA)

    • BPA, used in manufacturing plastics, can leach into water and has been shown to interfere with the reproductive systems of some aquatic species

Human and economic impacts

• Water quality:

  • Plastic pollution can degrade water quality, affecting human populations that rely on these water sources

• Tourism industry:

  • Polluted beaches and coastal areas can deter tourists, affecting local businesses and economies

    • For example, beaches littered with plastic waste can lead to a decline in tourism, impacting local hotels, restaurants and other businesses

• Recreational activities:

  • Plastic pollution can interfere with recreational activities such as swimming, diving and boating

Aggregation in oceanic gyres

• Plastics are carried by rivers and streams into the ocean

• Ocean currents transport these plastics, which then become trapped in the rotating currents of gyres

  • Gyres are large systems of circular ocean currents

  • They are formed by global wind patterns and forces created by the Earth's rotation

• This leads to plastic accumulating in these gyres over time, forming large patches of debris

  • For example, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a well-known gyre, containing an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic

Microplastics and the food chain

• Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5mm in diameter

• They come from larger plastic debris breaking down or from products like cosmetics and clothing

• Food chain entry:

  • Microplastics are ingested by small marine organisms

  • These organisms are then eaten by larger predators in higher trophic levels

  • This leads to bioaccumulation and biomagnification

    • This is where concentrations of microplastics and their associated toxins increase up the food chain

  • This can eventually lead to microplastics in human food sources

    • For example, studies have found microplastics in fish and shellfish sold for human consumption, indicating a direct pathway to humans

• Transport of toxins

  • Plastics can absorb harmful chemicals from the environment

  • When ingested by marine life, these toxins can enter the food chain, posing health risks to animals and humans

    • For example, chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides found on microplastics have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues and disruption of hormonal systems in animals and humans

Management and Solutions

• Management is needed to remove plastics from the supply chain and to clear up existing pollution

  • Some management strategies include:

1. Reduction strategies:

   • Implementing policies to reduce plastic production and usage

   • Promoting alternatives to plastic, such as biodegradable materials

     • For example, the UK has introduced a ban on single-use plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cutlery

2. Cleanup efforts:

   • Organising beach cleanups and developing technologies for ocean cleanups to remove existing plastic pollution

     • For example, the Ocean Cleanup project aims to remove large quantities of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other water bodies using advanced technology

3. Recycling and waste management:

   • Improving recycling rates and waste management systems to prevent plastic from entering the ocean

   • Encouraging the public to recycle and dispose of waste responsibly