(picture courtesy:plastic polution in water – Bing images)
Plastic pollution is undoubtedly an issue that requires worldwide cooperation. Its consequences affect the whole planet and its inhabitants: it threatens ocean health, the health of marine species, food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change. At this point, it is vital to prevent plastic pollution of fresh water bodies and oceans to avoid long-term harmful consequences on flora and fauna of our ecosystems. The need of the hour is to reduce the presence of plastic in oceans in order to move towards a sustainable future.
(picture courtesy:plastic pollution on oceans – Bing images)
Some of the unbelievable appalling facts about plastic contamination of our water resources are:
• The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering: improper disposal of single use or disposable plastic items (food wrappings, plastic bags, razors, bottles, etc.) causes these waste materials to end up in the waterways and eventually in the ocean to become “Garbage patches”.
• Humans are consuming microplastics through drinking water, sea food and salt from oceans as well as vegetables and fruits grown using plastic polluted soil and irrigation water. Plastic materials are carcinogenic and effect our endocrine system, leading to developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders.
• Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. Almost 17 percent of marine species are endangered due to presence of plastic.
• Hazards to marine animals when they come into contact with or ingest plastic particles include suffocation, entanglement, laceration, infections, carcinogenesis, and internal injuries. Additionally, floating plastic items can help transport invasive species, which leads to threats for marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the food web.
• A study analysed ocean trends from 1979 to 2019 and declared that global oceans are polluted by nearly 170 trillion pieces of plastic that weigh approximately 2 million tonnes.
• Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution and around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year. Research states that, by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea.
• It is estimated that more than 1.5 million trillion microfibers are present in the oceans around the world. An estimation suggests that more than 700,000 microscopic plastic fibres could be released into the environment during each cycle of a washing machine.
• Microbeads are solid plastic particles that typically range from 10 micrometres up to 1 millimetre. They are often included for their exfoliant or abrasive properties into rinse-off cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning products. These end up in sewages that seep into fresh water bodies.