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Marine Debris
Oceanic Trash Buildup
A presentation by: Marlo Berberian
Sources of Impact
• Where it comes from: 80% land based sources, 90%
plastic. Un-recycled plastics, glasses, metals, and
rubbers. In addition to: Styrofoam, nets, lines,
abandoned fishing equipment, rundown ships and
vessels.
Sources of Impact Cont.
• How does it accumulate to specific areas?
Answer: oceanic currents and atmospheric
winds
• Current strength is the largest factor. North
Pacific Subtropical Gyre is the culprit of “Trash
Island.” Other currents move trash through
the ocean and are classified on either a mesoscale (medium) or micro-scale (small).
• North Pacific “Trash Island”
Sources of Impact Cont.
Sources of Impact Cont.
• What exactly is being impacted?
• 214,500 to 763,000 seabirds are killed each year,
in addition up to one hundred thousand marine
mammals and possibly more die each year. These
species can die from entanglement or disease
associated with pollution. Coral Reefs, plankton,
ect. Food chain.
Why is this Happening?
• Individuals who intentionally or accidentally
leave trash on a beach or pier
• People who have thrown their trash into a
storm drain or gutter
• Construction and demolition sites
• Corporations illegally managing waste
• Natural disasters
Why is This Happening? Cont.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoa16mtnqJ0
Abiotic Factors
• Doesn’t alter salinity, but can alter temp and
limit light.
• Depending on the size of debris covering an
area, some parts of the ocean may be without
light and lower temps.
• Harmful toxins released from the trash. Such
as BPA, nonylphenol (NP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl)
Biotic Factors
• Direct impacts: ingestion, entanglement, and
ecosystem alteration.
• Marine animals and seabirds think marine
debris is food. EPA says sea turtles mistake
plastic bags for jelly fish, and seabirds mistake
plastic pellets as fish eggs. The other type of
ingestion is accidental.
Biotic Factors Cont.
• Hurts digestion process, nutrients
cannot dissolve properly.
• Internal injuries and infections
increase death and lead to
reproductive issues.
•
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LHrxwQoEE
Biotic Factors Cont.
• Suffocation and breaking of coral reefs due to
accumulation of trash.
• All reef dwelling corals have a symboitoc
relationship with algae. No access to light and
slower production of food. Loss of habitats
and food sources for many organisms. Sea
slugs, nudibranchs, oysters, clams, crabs,
shrimp, sea worms, sea stars, ect.
Biotic Factors Cont.
Biotic Factors Cont.
• Indirect impacts
• When disposing of marine debris cannot use
mechanical devices as this hurts birds, turtles,
and adds to beach erosion.
• Moving of invasive species, trash moves with
ocean currents, bringing animals to different
locations.
• Estimated to have doubled several species in
the subtropics
Biotic Factors Cont.
• Less healthy fish available
for consumption, invasive
species eat food supply.
• Ex: after Japanese Tsunami
invasion of the European
Blue mussel, Asian Brown
Seaweed and Asian Shore
Crab all invaded and
jeopardized food supply for
fish.
Laws Governing this Issue
• Europeans have designed the “Marine and
Coastal Access Act” which consists of a group
of EU member states working together to
ensure better systems for maintaining and
protecting marine life
• United States passed the Ocean Dumping Act,
which gives the EPA the power to regulate all
marine dumping of hazardous materials. Act
also prohibits the disposal of plastic.
Laws Governing this Issue
Laws Governing This Issue
Can it be Fixed?
• Volunteer groups at
oceans or rivers.
• Best thing to do is to
raise awareness and to
recycle. 90% of the
material is plastic.
• Not only will it help the
environment, but will
help sustain jobs at
recycling plants.
• Laws?
Can it be Fixed?
•
Local campaigns raising awareness
Bibliography
• Marine Debris Prevention. United State Environmental Protection Agency,
23 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012.
<http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/marinedebris/index.cfm>.
• Morton, Thomas. "Toxic: Garbage Island." CNN. Cable News Network, 17
Feb. 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/16/vbs.toxic.garbage.isl
and/index.html>.
• NOAA Marine Debris Program. U.S. Department of Commerce, 24 Sept.
2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/welcome.html>.
• "The Problem With Marine Debris." Public Education Program. California
Coastal Commission, 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/marinedebris.html>.
• "Stopping the Rising Tide of Marine Debris Pollution | Californians Against
Waste."
•
Californians Against Waste. N.p., 30 Aug. 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/marine_debris>.