Consequences of Plastic Pollution on Marine Ecosystems

and Human Well-Being

Jasmine B. Nuria
I BEED Block 18 (Night Shift)

Julie Anne C. Quiñones

GE 10 Instructor

MAY 2024
 INTRODUCTION

Consequences of Plastic Pollution on Marine Ecosystems and Human Well-Being

Investigating the consequences of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and human well-being

addresses a global crisis with far-reaching effects. Plastic waste in the ocean has surged due to

excessive use and improper disposal, leading to severe environmental, economic, and societal

impacts. Studies show plastic pollution harms marine life through entanglement, ingestion, and

habitat destruction, emphasizing the need for swift action. Plastics rarely biodegrade and fragment

into microplastics and nanoplastics, now ubiquitous in marine environments. These microplastics

absorb contaminants, exacerbating their toxicity and impacting marine organisms and human health

through contaminated seafood. Early studies used seabirds as bioindicators to highlight these issues

(Alimba & Faggio, 2019b). Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing solutions to ensure

a sustainable future.
 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Foreign

Plastics have been instrumental in providing access to clean drinking water, medical applications,

and improved hygiene and food safety. However, plastics also cause problems. Plastic pollutants are

distributed in the ecosystems in different forms, with different size variations as mega plastic,

macroplastic, mesoplastic, and microplastic. Microplastics in primary and secondary forms reveal a

widespread distribution in the water, sediment, and biota of marine and coastal habitats (Thushari &

Senevirathna, 2020). Their durability and density allow plastic to be transported over large distances

and to persist for long periods in the marine environment. The proliferation of plastics has resulted in

contamination across a range of environments, from remote lakes to the deepest oceans; however,

the effects on the marine environment remain the most studied (Welden, 2020).

Human activities can endanger both human life and natural ecosystems. This threat is evident in the

use of plastics, such as bottles and bags, for packaging. After use, these plastics are often carelessly

discarded without consideration of the resulting consequences. The key factors behind this massive

pile of plastic waste are a lack of technical skills for managing hazardous waste, insufficient

infrastructure development for recycling and recovery, and above all, a lack of awareness of the rules

and regulations (Kibria et al., 2023). Potential impacts from poorly reversible plastic pollution include

changes to carbon and nutrient cycles; and habitat changes within soils, sediments, and aquatic

ecosystems (MacLeod et al., 2021). Consequently, this emerging contaminant affects the

socio-economic aspects through negative impacts on tourism, fishery, shipping, and human health.

The effects of plastic pollution on air-breathing marine megafauna (i.e. seabirds, marine mammals,

and sea turtles) worldwide, highlighting those that assessed potential population-level effects. Lethal

and sub-lethal individual-level effects included drowning, starvation, gastrointestinal tract damage,

malnutrition, physical injury, reduced mobility, and physiological stress, resulting in reduced energy

acquisition and assimilation, compromised health, reproductive impairment, and mortality

(Allen et al., 2021).

Local

The Philippines has always been reported as one of the countries in the Western Pacific

(Westpac) with a high plastic (macroplastics and MPs) load to the marine coastal environment

(Jambeck et al., 2015; Lebreton et al., 2017). This is attributed to the increase in population and in

the projected plastic use and unmanaged disposal (Ritchie and Roser, 2019). The sachet economy

(Ang and Sy-Changco, 2007; Fernando, 2015) is speculated as one of the culprits for the unregulated

plastic disposal (Posadas, 2014) on land and in the marine coastal environment.

The increase in human settlement has been observed to have also increased the influx of sediments

to the Great Barrier Reef (McCulloch et al., 2003) and areas of high human population have been

shown to host very high pollutants (Gregory, 1978; Derraik, 2002; Reisser et al., 2013). With the

increasing trend of human population, marine pollution is also increasing. Commonly, studies on

marine pollution have tackled the individual effects of different pollutants on marine organisms and

the marine environment.

 ANALYSIS

Plastic pollution poses serious threats to our marine ecosystems. Marine animals often mistake

plastic debris for food, leading to blockages, internal injuries, and sometimes death. Additionally,

animals can get tangled in larger plastic waste, causing injury and drowning. Abandoned fishing gear

continues to trap marine life long after being discarded. These interactions harm biodiversity and

disrupt natural processes.

Plastics also damage marine habitats by covering coral reefs and seagrass beds, which are crucial

for maintaining balanced ecosystems. Microplastics enter the food web through plankton and small

fish, eventually affecting larger predators and humans. This contamination impacts biodiversity and

marine health. The overall health of these ecosystems declines, leading to long-term environmental

damage. The collapse of these habitats can have widespread effects on marine species and the

services they provide.

Chemicals released from plastics, like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, make the problem worse.

These chemicals disrupt the hormonal systems of marine organisms, leading to reproductive and

developmental issues. Plastics also absorb pollutants from the water, which are then ingested by

marine life. This creates a toxic environment that affects the entire marine food chain. These toxins

can pose severe health risks to top predators, including humans.

The impact of plastic pollution also extends to human well-being, particularly through food safety

concerns. Microplastics and associated toxins in seafood pose health risks, including hormonal

disruptions and reproductive problems. Degraded water quality from plastic pollution presents

additional health hazards. Contaminated water can spread diseases and affect communities that rely

on clean water for drinking and recreation. This compromises the health and safety of people

worldwide.

The economic impacts are also significant, as plastic pollution affects tourism and fisheries. Coastal

areas polluted with plastic see a decline in tourism, hurting local economies. Decreased fish stocks

from polluted waters harm the fishing industry and the livelihoods dependent on it. Economic losses

from these sectors can be substantial. Tackling plastic pollution is crucial for sustaining economic

activities tied to healthy marine environments.

 Communities that depend on clean marine environments for cultural and recreational activities are

also affected. Plastic pollution diminishes their quality of life and cultural practices. Social well-being

is closely linked to the health of marine ecosystems. Protecting these environments is essential for

maintaining community well-being. Ensuring clean and healthy oceans is vital for preserving cultural

heritage and recreational opportunities.

Addressing plastic pollution requires strong legal frameworks and innovative solutions. The Marine

Debris Act supports efforts to manage and reduce marine debris. Improved waste management

systems and reducing single-use plastics are critical. Raising awareness about the impacts of plastic

pollution can drive better solutions, ensuring a healthier environment for future generations.

International cooperation and technological advancements are also necessary to effectively tackle

this global issue.

References

Alimba, C. G., & Faggio, C. (2019b). Microplastics in the marine environment: Current trends in

environmental pollution and mechanisms of toxicological profile. Environmental Toxicology and

Pharmacology, 68, 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2019.03.001

Williams, A. T., & Rangel-Buitrago, N. (2022). The past, present, and future of plastic pollution.

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 176, 113429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113429

MacLeod, M., Arp, H. P. H., Tekman, M. B., & Jahnke, A. (2021). The global threat from plastic

pollution. Science, 373(6550), 61–65. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abg5433

Thushari, G., & Senevirathna, J. (2020). Plastic pollution in the marine environment. Heliyon, 6(8),

e04709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04709

Welden, N. A. (2020). The environmental impacts of plastic pollution. In Elsevier eBooks (pp.

195–222). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-817880-5.00008-6

Kibria, M. G., Masuk, N. I., Safayet, R., Nguyen, H. Q., & Mourshed, M. (2023). Plastic waste:

Challenges and Opportunities to Mitigate pollution and Effective management. International Journal

of Environmental Research, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-023-00507-z

Galarpe, V. R. K. R., Jaraula, C. M. B., & Paler, M. K. O. (2021). The nexus of macroplastic and

microplastic research and plastic regulation policies in the Philippines marine coastal environments.

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 167, 112343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112343

McCulloch, M., Fallon, S., Wyndham, T., Hendy, E., Lough, J., & Barnes, D.

(2003). Coral record of increased sediment lux to the inner Great Barrier

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