The Impacts of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Impacts on Marine Life
Ocean plastics have severe consequences on marine life by way of entanglement, smothering, and ingestion. Entanglement occurs when animals get caught in large pieces of plastic such as fishing nets or plastic bags resulting in the suffocation, drowning or starvation of the animal. Smothering occurs when large amounts of plastic on the surface block out the sun, and kill the plankton which results in the whole food chain being affected. Ingestion occurs when animals consume plastics making them feel full, however, many end up dying due to starvation as they haven't consumed real food. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that 100,000 marine animals, and 1 million seabirds die annually due to ocean plastic in the GPGP.
Impacts on Humans
Ocean plastics have effects on humans as well, and the largest consequence would be on human health. People can consume seafood that as been exposed to chemicals from the breakdown of plastics. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) such as Bisphenol A (BPA) are chemicals that pose serious health problems for people. These EDCs can be consumed by marine animals, and can transport these EDCs to people when they are consumed. EDCs cause cancers, birth defects, immune system failure, heart disease, and diabetes. Many of these chemicals are used in the manufacturing of plastics which is why they end up in the ocean. The table below shows the effects that BPA has on humans at a concentration of less than 1 ppm vs the effects of no exposure to BPA. The studies show that exposure to BPA greatly increases the negative health effects on people.