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Marine Plastic Pollution: A Global Problem That Needs to Be Addressed

Marine plastic pollution is one of the main threats to ocean ecosystems, with devastating impacts on marine fauna and environmental balances. This type of pollution is caused by a wide range of plastic materials, ranging from large objects such as bottles and bags, to microscopic particles such as microplastics and nanoplastics. The latter derive from the fragmentation of plastic waste through photodegradation and decomposition processes.

According to estimates, around 80% of marine litter is plastic. Recent studies have revealed that around 3,000 tonnes of nanoplastics accumulate in snowfall in Switzerland each year, demonstrating that the problem goes far beyond the oceans.



An Unsustainable Consumption Cycle


Global plastic consumption, estimated at 300 million tons per year (as of 2022), contributes significantly to this environmental crisis. Of this, approximately 8 million tons end up in the oceans each year as macroplastics, while 1.5 million tons of primary microplastics leak into the seas. 98% of this waste comes from land-based activities, while the remaining 2% comes from maritime activities. Overall, it is estimated that 19-23 million tons of plastic enter aquatic ecosystems each year.



Devastating Impacts on Marine Ecosystems


Plastic, once dispersed in the oceans, degrades over extremely long periods of time, fragmenting into increasingly smaller particles that can reach the size of zooplankton. This fragmentation not only alters the structure of marine ecosystems, but introduces plastic into the food chain. Particles can accumulate in deep marine sediments, where it is estimated that there is four times more plastic than in surface waters.

The effects on marine life are devastating. Animals can become entangled or suffocate on plastic, or ingest it, causing blockages and internal injuries. Bottle caps, for example, have been found in the stomachs of turtles and seabirds, often with fatal outcomes. Another serious problem is "ghost nets," abandoned fishing nets that entangle fish, dolphins, turtles and other marine animals, causing starvation, injury and death.



The Main Sources of Pollution


Asia is the largest source of mismanaged plastic waste. Ten countries, including China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, are responsible for 90% of the plastic that reaches the oceans. The rivers most involved in transporting plastic to the oceans include the Yellow River, the Ganges, the Nile, and the Mekong.



Solutions and Future Perspectives


Non-biodegradable plastics continue to accumulate in marine environments, exacerbating an already critical problem. Solutions to this crisis must include targeted interventions to reduce the use of plastics, especially single-use plastics. Changes in production and packaging processes are essential to limit environmental impacts.

In parallel, projects are being developed to clean up the oceans, such as collecting plastic at river mouths and in ocean gyres. However, to prevent the oceans from containing more plastic than fish by 2050, as foreseen by the 2017 United Nations Ocean Conference, a collective and global commitment is needed. Raising awareness, research and adopting sustainable practices are the pillars on which to build a cleaner future for our seas.

Source: wikipedia.org

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