People have become more aware of the harm caused to marine life by improper garbage disposal, which is definitely a good thing. We’ve been making efforts to keep metals, plastics, and other non-biodegradable materials out of the sea, and numerous efforts are underway to clean up what’s already there. However, ocean pollution has been going on for so long, it may have permanently altered the biology of some animals.
In an international study, the biological makeup of over 100 different species of sea turtles from around the world were checked for contaminants. Every last one of those turtles’ stomachs contained traces of plastic micro-particles. See, while plastic can be broken down by seawater, it can never be completely absorbed. It just gets chopped into little bits, and a wandering turtle will eat it, thinking it’s food. The particles that were discovered were linked to car tires, cigarettes, fishing line, and more, all of which are full of toxic chemicals.
Charles Manire, the staff veterinarian at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Florida is concerned because, in his own words, “some of these chemicals are known to be endocrine disruptors, which means they mess up the hormones of the turtles. They may affect the immune system, making them vulnerable to infections.” According to Manire, if you want to make an easy difference in the amount of plastic trash that ends up in the sea, grab any loose junk you find lying on the beach. Even if it isn’t in the water, the wind could easily blow it in.
