Professor Hikari

ENC 2135–136

February 4, 2024 (April 24, 2024)

MLA

Wes D’Angio

What are the ecological consequences of plastic pollution on sea turtles and other marine life in

Atlantic waters?

Plastic takes up to 500 years to fully decompose; plastic itself is not even 500 years old.

That means every single bit of plastic that ended up in the ocean is still there in one form or

another. Coming to the forefront of pollution, the sheer amount of plastic in the sea affects

almost every kind of life and the environment. How did the pollution get so bad? Years of

lacking effort and care for the environment have sent the Earth past a point of no return that,

without proper care, will only continue to get worse. Putting greater emphasis on the animals,

plastic can physically damage them by choking or strangling them. It also affects what they eat.

Although it appears that this will mainly affect marine life, other bird and mammal species are

also impacted. The only thing that can begin to attempt and undo the irreversible harm that has

already occurred is to take preventative measures.

Growth of Pollution
 When did pollution become a factor in the environment? Plastic pollution has not always

been prevalent, it is based on years of lack of caring and lack in effort from mankind alike. It

would be impossible to pinpoint where exactly the source of the pollution started, instead, it is

possible to find reasons that it got out of control and it is not being fixed. There are groups such

as "4Ocean" that strive to collect money and help the effort to reverse it, but they can only do so

much. Waste disposal directly into the ocean is a significant factor; Laurence mentions this in his

article "Large volumes of trade and domestic wastes are deposited in coastal waters- discharged

from drains and pipelines or dumped from ships." (Laurence, 2024) Dumping right into the

ocean because of the lack of a better method is the number one contributor to marine pollution,

showing more of the lack of care from big companies and cities alike. Clark takes a deeper look

into how it got started and analyzes that "microplastics are an abundant and widespread marine

pollutant or increasing environmental and economic concern." (Clark, 2016) Since nothing will

change unless something shifts, the government may also be concerned about this issue in

addition to the general public. Furthermore, immediate action and regulatory supervision are

needed to address the widespread hazard created by microplastics. Clark's research demonstrates

the major effects that these tiny plastic particles have on both the long- term health of the

economy and marine ecosystems. The qualitative research that took place is also necessary to

mention because, without those facts, there is nothing on which his claims can be based. The

importance of government action is emphasized, going beyond individuals to address this

complex problem.

Pollution is a problematic issue that has grown in importance throughout time as an

environmental concern. Although plastic pollution has come under greater attention recently,

decades of disregard for the environment and neglect are to blame for its origins. It is difficult to
pinpoint the precise causes of plastic pollution because it has been caused by a variety of

variables, such as poor waste management strategies and unsustainable behavior when it comes

to consumption. Waste disposal procedures and other structural difficulties are the reasons why

plastic pollution persists despite the efforts of organizations like "4Ocean" to tackle it. Laurence

emphasizes the negative effects of disposing of trash into coastal seas and the impact that

industrial and local carelessness plays in accelerating marine pollution. Clark's investigation into

microplastics highlights the wide-ranging impacts of plastic contamination on the environment

and the economy. The findings from several qualitative investigations shed important light on the

extent of the issue and support an urgent need for quick action from the government.

Surface Level and Major Impacts

Diving deeper into the effects on marine life. One of turtle's primary food sources in the

Atlantic Ocean is jellyfish. When a plastic bag is partially disintegrated and floating through the

current, it could easily be mistaken for jellyfish. Turtles have been recorded going after these

bags, then ending up strangling and killing themselves. Maria Guebert states it, "When the sea

turtles are entangled, they may drown, first becoming comatose and eventually dying." (Gubert,

2024) Some places have started cutting down on plastic bag usage, for example some states like

Colorado have a law that charges people for the use of plastic bags over paper that can be easily

disintegrated. This is the type of thing that ocean rights activists think needs to be implemented

everywhere to prevent these tragedies from happening regularly. Alla Katsnelson provides a

unique piece of evidence: "about 300 million tons of plastic is manufactured every year, and

between 5 and 13 million tons of it ends up in the ocean." (Katsnelson, 2024) This puts into

perspective how big of a problem this is and how it continues to cause issues as time goes on. In

addition, the sheer amount of waste leaves marine life with no chance.
 As scientists continue to analyze the effects on marine life, it is critical to

comprehend the wider ramifications of plastic pollution that go beyond the direct dangers to

particular species, such as turtles. The harmful consequences destroy food networks and

jeopardize biodiversity throughout entire ecosystems. In addition, to directly endangering marine

life when they get partially decomposed, plastic bags also contribute to the buildup of

microplastics over time, which further contaminates the marine environment.

Other Affected Animals

When the idea of marine pollution comes to mind, the thought of birds and animals such

as otters and gators isn't immediately thought of. These animals are indirectly affected in

multiple ways. Stephen Rothstein gives the example of sea bird, "cutting open the stomachs of

seagulls, researchers found bits of plastic." (Rothstein, 1937) They looked deeper into it and

found that the birds were not eating the plastic themselves but rather eating fish and other marine

life that had that inside of them already. This proves that the effects of mass plastic usage can

have on reproductions that might not be seen from the surface level. Turtles have a hard time

reproducing, Maria Guebert provides the example of "research and conservation actions are

needed to acquire reliable data on the threats to feeding and nesting areas of sea turtle

populations and illegal exploitation." (Guebert, 2024) People are the main reason that turtles are

unable to reproduce, stepping on their nests, digging holes in beaches that they get caught in, and

leaving out trash to get caught in. Turtles live against the odds from the day they hatch, the slim

chance they even make it to the water and are able to grow old, they then must deal with the

terrible amounts of plastic infiltrating their food source.

 All of these problems are made worse by the buildup of debris made of plastic in marine

ecosystems, which creates more barriers to marine animals' survival. Turtles and other marine

animals must deal with the negative impacts of consuming harmful chemicals when plastic finds

its way into their food supply. They must work together to reduce plastic pollution,

save important habitats, and encourage proper administration of marine ecosystems in order to

combat these complex challenges. Through implementing a variety of sustainable practices and

tackling the underlying causes of pollution, professionals can work toward establishing a more

secure and healthy habitat for all marine species.

Other Affected Habitats

Natural environments, such as those in the Atlantic Ocean, are greatly endangered by

garbage made from plastic. Plastic waste builds up along beaches and coastlines, creating large

areas of waste from the ocean that suffocate coastal organisms and damage the natural beauty of

shorelines. Additionally, plastic garbage gets into marine environments like seagrass beds and

coral reefs, affecting the delicate balance of these ecosystems and preventing the development

and reproduction of marine life. Furthermore, plastics has the ability to penetrate marine borders

with invasive species and dangerous chemicals, endangering the strength and the general health

of the habitats in the Atlantic Ocean. The quality and function of habitats in the Atlantic Ocean

are increasingly at risk due to the increasing amount of plastic pollution, highlighting the urgent

need for massive conservation efforts to lessen this widespread environmental danger.

In addition, the large amount of plastic waste in the Atlantic Ocean makes already-

existing environmental problems like acidification of the oceans and climate change worse. As

plastics break down over time, harmful chemicals and microplastics are released into the marine

environment, endangering the health of marine ecosystems and the creatures that live there. The
effects of plastic waste on marine environments become even worse by the way it changes ocean

currents and disrupts with natural processes. Furthermore, a wide range of marine creatures, from

plankton to apex predators, consume microplastics, posing serious threats to marine biodiversity.

Plastic trash can entangle and suffocate marine animals. The cumulative consequences of plastic

pollution on habitats in the Atlantic Ocean highlight how urgently coordinated action is needed

to address this environmental crisis on a worldwide scale.

Prevention

Many different companies and people have tried to combat this problem, but with such a

large task, it is difficult to figure out where to start and how to attack it in the most effective way

possible. Having people simply on the beaches picking up trash will help slightly in

that specific area but have almost zero effect on the overall process. There is room for a change,

Laurence provides the idea that "the Coast Guard operates its own ships, aircraft, furnishes aids

to navigation, provides an environmental prediction service, is responsible for marine safety, and

carries out search and rescue. "(Laurence, 2024) The idea being proposed is that if researchers

have stricter enforced laws about waste from the Coast Guard will cut the amount that ends up in

the ocean by a lot. To do so, the government must prioritize the ocean and pollution if it wants to

continue profiting from it.

Examining attempts to reduce plastic pollution reveals that many businesses and

individuals have taken steps in an attempt at dealing with this widespread problem. Still, figuring

out the best intervention tactics is difficult due to the sheer size of the work. Even if programs

like beach clean-ups provide remedies for specific areas, they have little effect on the

overall trend of plastic pollution. A structural adjustment needs to be made to make

a major impact. Laurence advocates for a preventative approach in garbage management and

environmental protection, calling for increased involvement from organizations such as the Coast

Guard. Stricter laws can be enacted to reduce the amount of waste entering maritime areas by

utilizing the Coast Guard's resources and enforcement powers. This proposal points out the need

for governments to prioritize ocean conservation and minimize pollution, especially in the

context of the major financial and environmental risks involved. To guarantee the sustainable use

of marine resources and maintain the health of marine ecosystems for future generations,

effective laws and enforcement measures are crucial.

Conclusion

Seventy percent of the Earth is made up of the ocean. However, it is being depleted at

alarming rates. Marine life is consuming plastic, thinking it is fish, and getting caught

in trash, suffocating. The fact that so many animals are losing their lives due to food shortages or

the destruction of their habitats is detrimental to the future of the Earth. Without a change, it

could pass a point of no return and eventually lose all different kinds of animals for good. In

addition, the buildup of plastic debris in seas poses numerous threats to marine life and

environmental health due to plastic's 500-year lifespan and recent introduction into the

ecosystem. Years of neglect and a lack of interest in environmental assistance are

the main causes of the pollution's rapid rise, which highlights the urgent need for worldwide

collaboration to put a stop to this worrying trend.

Word Count: 2010

Bibliography:

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