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DATE: Jan 2023
AUTHOR: Mandla Tshabalala
Guide to the Effects of Plastic Pollution in the Ocean
The news reports on television and in the press about the effects of plastic waste and the amount of plastic debris in the ocean are difficult to ignore. Plastics ranging from single-use plastic bags to fishing nets end up in the sea in large quantities. The majority of people recognize that introducing plastic waste into the oceanic ecosystem is harmful. However, not everyone is aware of the devastation the plastic problem has had and continues to have on both the marine environment and human health.
There are numerous issues concerning plastic waste in the ocean, which is why it is a global issue that must be addressed. In this article, we will look at the issues surrounding plastic pollution in the ocean and marine environment.
Plastic Pollution's Impact on the Ocean
When plastic enters the ocean, gyres (a system of rotating ocean currents, tides, and winds) can transport it around the world. For example, plastic waste that enters the ocean in Europe can end up on a beach in Asia, which is why all countries must work together to address this issue because it is more than just a local issue.
Plastic waste in the ocean has an impact on fish, sea mammals, and sea reptiles such as turtles. Again, entanglement and ingestion are serious issues that can result in death for marine life. The long-term viability and health of the entire marine ecosystem may suffer as a result of this.
One of the most serious issues with ocean plastic is that it degrades slowly. Some plastics can decompose over hundreds of years. Plastic often degrades into smaller plastic particles known as microplastics, which are even more difficult to clean up and deal with.