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Environmental Impact

Plastic Pollution is having a significant environmental impact particularly on marine life and coastlines.  There are three major impacts on marine ecosystems:

Entanglement

  • Over 250 species have been known to have ingested or become entangled in plastic (Laist, 1997)
  • Entanglement rates of up to 7.9% have been discovered in some species of seals and sea lions (Allsopp et al)
  • A UNEP report estimates that around 130,000 cetaceans are caught in nets each year (US EPA, 1992)

Photograph by David ShawIngestion

  • Over 100 species of sea birds are known to ingest plastic artefacts (Laist, 1997)
  • According to Dr Jan Andries van Franeker, around 95% of Fulmers have plastic in their stomachs that affect them in chemical and mechanical ways
  • 31 species of marine mammals are know to have ingested marine plastic (Allsopp et al)

Transport of Invasive Species

  • The increase in marine litter, in particular plastics has resulted in a corresponding increase in species invasion (Allsopp et al)
  • Man-made litter has resulted in a significant increase  in the opportunities for the transportation of alien species
  • ‘Biotic mixing’ as a result of human activities is becoming a widespread problem (Barnes, 2002)
  • The hard surfaces of plastic debris is providing an attractive and alternative substrate for a number of organisms.  The introduction of non-endemic species can have a catastrophic impact on indigenous species and biodiversity and the increase in synthetic and non-biodegradable material pollution will accelerate the process (Gregory, 2009)