Many people have heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but there are more garbage patches in the oceans and seas
Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. This includes the vast expanses of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water, such as swamplands. The remaining 29% of the Earth is made up of landmasses, continents and islands. The oceans hold about 96.5% of all Earth's water on their own and their ability to absorb heat means that they play a crucial role in regulating the planet's climate. Then, of course there is the diverse range of ecosystems that they are home to.
These vast expanses of water are being increasingly ruined by a troubling phenomenon: the accumulation of vast 'garbage patches'. These are areas where significant amounts of debris, primarily rubbish consisting of plastics, converge being collected and herded by the ocean's currents. As these patches grow, they create a severe threat to marine ecosystems, wildlife, and to human health.
What Are Garbage Patches?
Garbage patches are not solid islands of waste as often imagined, but rather dispersed concentrations of debris. The most widely known of these is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California. This patch alone spans an area estimated to be twice the size of Texas. Similar patches also exist in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, each formed by the movement of oceanic gyres - large systems of circulating ocean currents.
These patches are primarily composed of microplastics, small fragments plastic that result from the breakdown of larger items and these microplastics are particularly pernicious as they are easily ingested by marine life, leading to dire consequences in the food chain, including human consumers. Small creatures that ingest these small pieces of plastic are then eaten by larger animals. As the food, from the ingested creature, is broken down in the animal's gut the plastic remains, filling the creature's digestive system until there is no space for food. The same effect can be seen when larger animals eat plastic items, mistaking them for food. The plastic is not digested, it cannot be passed, the animal's digestive tract becomes so crowded with plastic and other pieces of indigestible rubbish that the animal constantly feels full. They cannot eat food if they want to and, as a result, the animal dies of hunger. With a full belly.
The Origins of Marine Debris
The majority of debris found in these patches originates from land-based sources. Mismanaged waste, littering, and inadequate waste disposal systems allow plastics and other materials to enter waterways and eventually reach the oceans. Additionally, abandoned or lost fishing gear, known as 'ghost nets', contribute significantly to the problem, snagging animals, leaving them unable to breed or feed, sometimes causing them to be trapped in the air where they suffocate.
Environmental and Health Impacts
The presence of these garbage patches has far-reaching consequences. Marine animals, such as sea turtles, fish and seabirds frequently ingest or become entangled in plastic debris. This can lead to malnutrition, injury, and often death. The ingestion of microplastics also introduces toxic substances into the marine food web, which can accumulate and magnify as they move up the chain to apex predators, including humans. It has been calculated the average human eats 5g of plastic every week. This is greatly reduced by going vegan, but even then we can't get away from having plastic as a part of our diets. Plastic contamination can be found in fruit, in the flesh and the seeds, rice, tea bags and even salt is a source of dietary plastic.
Moreover, plastics in the ocean can act as a vector for invasive species and pathogens, further disrupting marine ecosystems. The economic impact is also significant, affecting tourism, fisheries, and maritime industries as both humans and animals stay away from the waste in the water.
The Hidden Menace of Asbestos
While plastics dominate conversations on marine pollution, another hazardous material poses a silent threat: asbestos. This fibrous mineral, that was widely used in construction and shipbuilding because of its fire-resistant properties, has found its way into marine environments through deteriorating infrastructure and improper disposal.
Asbestos fibres, once released into the ocean, can be ingested by marine organisms, leading to serious health issues. For humans, exposure to asbestos is linked to severe diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Because of this 67 countries and territories worldwide (including the European Union) have banned the use of asbestos, however some countries, such as India and the USA continue to allow its use. The presence of asbestos in marine environments raises significant public health concerns, particularly for communities relying on seafood, due to its pernicious nature.
Addressing the Crisis
Efforts to mitigate the impact of garbage patches are multi-faceted and require global cooperation. Initiatives include improving waste management systems, promoting recycling and the reduction of single-use plastics, and conducting clean-up operations. International agreements and policies, such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 14, aim to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Innovative solutions, like the development of biodegradable materials, using microbes to "eat plastic" and advancements in waste capture technologies, offer hope. Organisations and researchers are also working on methods to remove debris from the ocean, though the sheer scale of the problem makes this a significant challenge.
The Bottom Line
The garbage patches in the world's oceans and seas are a stark reminder of the impact of human activity on the environment. Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort from governments, industries, and individuals, we all play a part here, every single one of us. By understanding the origins and impacts of these patches, and recognising the additional threat posed by substances like asbestos, we can take meaningful steps towards preserving marine ecosystems and protecting human health.
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