PERSISTENT PLASTIC POLLUTION

Ecosystem Under Siege: Wildlife, Soil, and Climate at Risk

Plastic pollution has become a pervasive environmental issue with dire consequences for wildlife, soil, groundwater, and ultimately, climate change. The durability and widespread use of plastics mean they persist in the environment for centuries, causing harm at multiple levels.

The effects of plastic waste on wildlife are profound and multifaceted. Animals often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion that can cause internal injuries, blockages, and even death. For instance, sea turtles often consume plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish. Furthermore, toxic chemicals leach out from plastic waste or plastic pellets as these materials degrade on beaches or in the water. Marine animals consume the chemicals when they mistake microplastics for food.

A 2020 study on “Microplastics: an emerging threat to food security and human health” noted the significant threats to aquatic life from the leaching of toxic chemicals from microplastics to marine food sources. It also indicated that the potential reduction of seafood species populations from chemicals in microplastics could threaten seafood availability, especially in regions dependent on fishing for food.

Entanglement is another critical issue. Marine creatures such as seals, dolphins, and birds can become entangled in discarded fishing nets, plastic rings, and other debris, leading to injury, drowning, or impaired mobility. These physical harms are compounded by the chemical pollutants that plastics release. Plastics often contain toxic additives like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which leach into the water and are absorbed by marine organisms, disrupting their endocrine systems and affecting reproduction and development.

Plastics also have a profound impact on terrestrial environments. When plastic waste is improperly disposed of on land, it degrades slowly, leaching toxic chemicals into the soil. These chemicals, including BPA and phthalates, can alter soil composition and harm microorganisms essential for soil health. The presence of microplastics in the soil can also hinder plant growth by affecting water retention and nutrient availability.

As plastics degrade, they can infiltrate groundwater systems, carrying harmful substances with them.  Groundwater contamination is a significant concern because it affects drinking water supplies for both humans and animals. The leaching of toxic chemicals from plastics into groundwater can lead to serious health issues, including endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, and increased cancer risk.

The production, use, and disposal of plastics contribute to climate change in several ways. Most plastics are made from fossil fuels, and the extraction and processing of these materials release significant amounts of greenhouse gases. For example, the production of polyethylene, one of the most common plastics, involves the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), both potent greenhouse gases.

Furthermore, as plastics degrade, they continue to emit greenhouse gases. In 2018, a team of researchers from the University of Hawaii revealed through their study that plastics exposed to sunlight release methane and ethylene, exacerbating global warming. The incineration of plastic waste also releases CO2 and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and climate change.

Plastic pollution in oceans can indirectly affect the climate by disrupting marine ecosystems that play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. Marine organisms like plankton absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, and when they die, they sink to the ocean floor, sequestering carbon. The ingestion of microplastics by these organisms can impair their health and reduce their ability to sequester carbon effectively, weakening a natural buffer against climate change.

Open burning and incinerating plastic wastes emits dioxin and other toxic chemicals into the air and generates highly hazardous ash and residues that are typically dumped or landfilled, contributing to the environmental dispersal of highly toxic chemicals. Toxic plastic additives in solid waste leach out and contaminate surrounding food chains and waterways.

The key solution to address the impact of plastics is to scale down production and prohibit the use and addition of hazardous chemicals.

References:

An Introduction to Plastics and Toxic Chemicals | IPEN. (2022, November). IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network).
https://ipen.org/documents/introduction-plastics-and-toxic-chemicals

Frequently asked questions on plastics and chemicals | IPEN. (2024, March). IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network).
https://ipen.org/documents/frequently-asked-questions-plastics-and-chemicals

Plastics, EDCs & Health | IPEN. (2020, December). IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network).
https://ipen.org/documents/plastics-edcs-health

How the Plastic Pollution Resolution Relates to Chemicals and Health | IPEN. (n.d.). IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network).
https://ipen.org/documents/how-plastic-pollution-resolution-relates-to-chemicals-and-health

Ghost Nets: Why they endanger Marine life – Plastic Soup Foundation. (2020, May 1). Plastic Soup Foundation.
https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/plastic-problem/plastic-environment/ghost-nets/

Tribune, Z. E. C. D. (2019, January 7). Why is it so hard to decompose plastic? Columbia Daily Tribune.
https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/lifestyle/family/2019/01/07/why-is-it-so-hard/984920007/

Centre for International Environmental Law. (2022, February 1). Plastic and Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet – Center for International Environmental Law.
https://www.ciel.org/plasticandclimate/

Lai, O. (2024, March 4). The detrimental impacts of plastic pollution on animals. Earth.Org.
https://earth.org/plastic-pollution-animals/

Swaters. (2023, April 14). New Study Shows Plastics Release Greenhouse Gases, Contributing to Climate Change. Surfrider Foundation.
https://www.surfrider.org/news/new-study-shows-plastic-as-source-of-greenhouse-gases-potentially-contribut