Marine Debris

Marine debris is a major issue that is rapidly worsening, with plastic waste contributing to around 90% of it. Marine debris is harmful in a variety of ways, including the environment, wildlife and human health. This is an ecological problem as it has contributed to a decline in species as well as destroyed habitats. This is a human problem as marine debris is waste that comes from human consumption and it is our responsibility to properly dispose of our waste. Additionally, marine debris has impacted human health as what we consume is now contaminated by waste put in the sea. The solution to this would be to spread awareness and advocate for people to begin using environmentally friendly products and proper disposal as well as technology and machines that can collect mass amounts of sea debris currently in the ocean.

Impact on Enviroment

Plastic waste has proven to be one of the biggest threats to coral reefs. When plastic intereacts witht the coral, the coral can be suffocated by plastic as it slowly surrounds it. The coral would then consume the plastic, which is extremely toxic, inflicting disease. This will cause the coral to slowly deteriorate and die. Plastic is so easily distributed to the point where it’s even damaging coral reefs that are hidden off by traveling through the ocean waves. Today, coral reefs are labeled to be in critical condition as they rapidly die out.

Impact on Marine Life

Becuase of the death of coral reefs, this has cause an imbalance in the ecosystem. Not to mention, sea creatures can also catch the diseases coral reefs got from plastic, spreading it further than it should've. Microplastics in the ocean is also a threat because that can enter an animal's system without them even knowing, which can cause a huge risk in its health.

Plasitc in general can also kill animals as they can get caught in it or they conume it, which can be toxic to the animal. Many may have heard about the term "save the turtles," which came from a viral campaign back in 2015 that advocated end of plastic straws when knowledge of turtles dying from choking on a plastic straw.

Impact on Humans

Microplastics can negatively affect human health and are even toxic when a large amount is consumed. Humans often get microplastics in their system by consuming fish/sea food that consumed plastic when it lived in the ocean. Studies has shown that microplastics can weaken our immune system, making us susceptiple to diseases,organ failure, and can even cause cancer. Overall, consuming anything from a body of water with a high concentration plastic is dangerous, but it also limits what people are able to consume.

Ultimately, plastic waste creates a cycle that makes it widespread, impacting many living things along the way and causing harm.

Why is this Important?

Palstic is not naturally found within these enviroments and has caused a great detirment to our ecosystem-impacting plants, animals and humans. If plastic waste continues to increase and damage may be irreversable. This is a man made problem and it is our responsibility to properly dispose of our waste.

Solutions

What we can do as an average citizen is to spread awareness and spark conversation amongst your peers. Implimatation of proper recycling materials (like resuable bags) and waste disposal is a critcal in order to better improve the current status waste in the ocean. This is especially true in areas that have lower incomes as they often are forced to rely on plastic since it's so cheap. If we as a society are able to provide and use eco-friendly products and strategies, then we can already create a huge impact to better improve our oceans

Even then, many scientist and engineers all around the world are working on projects and plans to help take out the marine debris in the ocean. Technologies has recently been a very popular way to help with this. Many technological devices made for ocean waste fall into two categories: collection or prevention. A major organization called The Ocean Cleanup is using technology to remove plastic from the ocean and is making remarkable changes to save our enviroment.

There is still hope to reverse the damage plastic has cause, so go on out there and make a difference!!