Disposal of Plastic Wastes in the Oceans - PDF
VerifiedAdded on 2021/06/14
|9
|1514
|53
AI Summary
Contribute Materials
Your contribution can guide someone’s learning journey. Share your
documents today.
Literature Review: How to Clean Up Plastics from Our Oceans?
Secure Best Marks with AI Grader
Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the Problem.................................................................................................................3
Impact of Dumping Plastic Waste in Oceans..................................................................................4
Steps to Clean Up Plastic from the Oceans.....................................................................................5
Past Attempts Made to Clean Up Plastic from the Oceans.............................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the Problem.................................................................................................................3
Impact of Dumping Plastic Waste in Oceans..................................................................................4
Steps to Clean Up Plastic from the Oceans.....................................................................................5
Past Attempts Made to Clean Up Plastic from the Oceans.............................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8
Introduction
Disposal of plastic wastes in the oceans is explored as a crucial problem of the
contemporary world. The rise of globalization, privatization, and industrialization has led to the
consequences of plastic pollution due to rise in plastic consumption and improper disposing of
facilities. In earlier times, no international authority was answerable to the plastic pollution in
oceans and hence, it leads to the transformation of oceans into plastic soup.1 In the following
context, this literature review is undertaken over the attributes of removal of plastic from oceans.
The study will present a comprehensive discussion of the problem, the impact of the problem,
steps to mitigate the problem and past attempts made over the issue. Various research journals
and academic literature will be used for understanding the issue and to present informative
findings.
Overview of the Problem
According to Conservancy, every year the modern world is challenged by approximately
12.7 million tones of plastic waste in the oceans. This huge quantity comprises almost everything
from microbeads to plastic bags and also PET bottles. Due to its non-degradable properties, this
plastic has reached to every corner of the world by traveling on the ocean currents. Following
practices are gradually turning our oceans into plastic dump yard and its impacts on the aquatic
life are heart throbbing. Large plastic entities are entangling and choking creatures such as turtles
1 Yamashita, Rei, Hideshige Takada, Masa-aki Fukuwaka, and Yutaka Watanuki.
"Physical and chemical effects of ingested plastic debris on short-tailed shearwaters,
Puffinus tenuirostris, in the North Pacific Ocean." Marine Pollution Bulletin 62, no. 12
(2011): 2845-2849.
Disposal of plastic wastes in the oceans is explored as a crucial problem of the
contemporary world. The rise of globalization, privatization, and industrialization has led to the
consequences of plastic pollution due to rise in plastic consumption and improper disposing of
facilities. In earlier times, no international authority was answerable to the plastic pollution in
oceans and hence, it leads to the transformation of oceans into plastic soup.1 In the following
context, this literature review is undertaken over the attributes of removal of plastic from oceans.
The study will present a comprehensive discussion of the problem, the impact of the problem,
steps to mitigate the problem and past attempts made over the issue. Various research journals
and academic literature will be used for understanding the issue and to present informative
findings.
Overview of the Problem
According to Conservancy, every year the modern world is challenged by approximately
12.7 million tones of plastic waste in the oceans. This huge quantity comprises almost everything
from microbeads to plastic bags and also PET bottles. Due to its non-degradable properties, this
plastic has reached to every corner of the world by traveling on the ocean currents. Following
practices are gradually turning our oceans into plastic dump yard and its impacts on the aquatic
life are heart throbbing. Large plastic entities are entangling and choking creatures such as turtles
1 Yamashita, Rei, Hideshige Takada, Masa-aki Fukuwaka, and Yutaka Watanuki.
"Physical and chemical effects of ingested plastic debris on short-tailed shearwaters,
Puffinus tenuirostris, in the North Pacific Ocean." Marine Pollution Bulletin 62, no. 12
(2011): 2845-2849.
and seabirds, however, small plastic pieces are consumed by whales and zooplankton on
mistaking it for food. It signifies that plastic waste has entered the food chain and life cycle of
aquatic animals. Evermore, the worst of all is sometimes plastic ends up coming to human
being's table through seafood.2
In the similar essence, Goldstein, Titmus, and Ford presented the implications of
Greenpeace, which is operational to stop the flow of plastics into the oceans. The considerations
of the campaign are formulated for addressing big corporations to reduce the production of
plastic packaging materials that are not for reuse and recycle purpose.3
Impact of Dumping Plastic Waste in Oceans
As evident from the aforementioned discussion, plastic wastes in our oceans is an
alarming predicament of the modern world. Considering this relation, Kershaw, Katsuhiko, Lee,
and Woodring presented a comprehensive and enlightening discussion over the impact of plastic
waste dumping in the oceans. The authors conveyed that plastic pollution in the oceans gravely
affects the overall food chain of aquatic life. Small organisms ingest plastic, which directly or
2 Conservancy, Ocean. "Stemming the tide: Land-based strategies for a plastic-free
ocean." Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment,
48pp (2015).
3 Goldstein, Miriam C., Andrew J. Titmus, and Michael Ford. "Scales of spatial
heterogeneity of plastic marine debris in the northeast Pacific Ocean." PloS one 8, no. 11
(2013): e80020.
mistaking it for food. It signifies that plastic waste has entered the food chain and life cycle of
aquatic animals. Evermore, the worst of all is sometimes plastic ends up coming to human
being's table through seafood.2
In the similar essence, Goldstein, Titmus, and Ford presented the implications of
Greenpeace, which is operational to stop the flow of plastics into the oceans. The considerations
of the campaign are formulated for addressing big corporations to reduce the production of
plastic packaging materials that are not for reuse and recycle purpose.3
Impact of Dumping Plastic Waste in Oceans
As evident from the aforementioned discussion, plastic wastes in our oceans is an
alarming predicament of the modern world. Considering this relation, Kershaw, Katsuhiko, Lee,
and Woodring presented a comprehensive and enlightening discussion over the impact of plastic
waste dumping in the oceans. The authors conveyed that plastic pollution in the oceans gravely
affects the overall food chain of aquatic life. Small organisms ingest plastic, which directly or
2 Conservancy, Ocean. "Stemming the tide: Land-based strategies for a plastic-free
ocean." Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment,
48pp (2015).
3 Goldstein, Miriam C., Andrew J. Titmus, and Michael Ford. "Scales of spatial
heterogeneity of plastic marine debris in the northeast Pacific Ocean." PloS one 8, no. 11
(2013): e80020.
Secure Best Marks with AI Grader
Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
indirectly gets transferred to large organisms, which are dependent on small creatures for food.
This gradual consumption of plastic as food leads to poisoning of the overall food chain.4
Moreover, Andrady also agreed to the aforementioned viewpoints enlightening that
plastic pollution in oceans also leads to groundwater pollution. The quality of drinking water
becomes toxic and inedible by externally adding plastic wastes in the ongoing water cycle. In
addition to this, plastic wastes in our oceans are also responsible for the deaths of various aquatic
lives. Apart from consumption of plastic, creatures such as ducks, fishes, and dolphins also die
by getting trapped in large plastic rings, plastic bags and sheets due to deprived oxygen.5
Steps to Clean Up Plastic from the Oceans
In order to deal with the startling consequences of the plastic pollution in oceans,
Claessens, Van Cauwenberghe, Vandegehuchte, and Janssen recommended some potential
implications. The authors recommended that friendly shopping can help in reducing the plastic
consumption and pollution on the individual level. Consumption of reusable and biodegradable
bags can facilitate the purpose of the individual as well as protection of oceans from plastic
toxicities. Moreover, the authors also suggested that reduction in consumption of bottled water
can also help in meeting the purpose of ocean safety. In the contemporary world, plastic water
bottles have become a great source of keeping oneself hydrated. Majority of these bottles comes
4 Kershaw, Peter, Saido Katsuhiko, Sangjin Lee, and Doug Woodring. "Plastic debris in
the ocean." United Nations Environment Programme, 2011.
5 Andrady, Anthony L. "Microplastics in the marine environment." Marine pollution
bulletin 62, no. 8 (2011): 1596-1605.
This gradual consumption of plastic as food leads to poisoning of the overall food chain.4
Moreover, Andrady also agreed to the aforementioned viewpoints enlightening that
plastic pollution in oceans also leads to groundwater pollution. The quality of drinking water
becomes toxic and inedible by externally adding plastic wastes in the ongoing water cycle. In
addition to this, plastic wastes in our oceans are also responsible for the deaths of various aquatic
lives. Apart from consumption of plastic, creatures such as ducks, fishes, and dolphins also die
by getting trapped in large plastic rings, plastic bags and sheets due to deprived oxygen.5
Steps to Clean Up Plastic from the Oceans
In order to deal with the startling consequences of the plastic pollution in oceans,
Claessens, Van Cauwenberghe, Vandegehuchte, and Janssen recommended some potential
implications. The authors recommended that friendly shopping can help in reducing the plastic
consumption and pollution on the individual level. Consumption of reusable and biodegradable
bags can facilitate the purpose of the individual as well as protection of oceans from plastic
toxicities. Moreover, the authors also suggested that reduction in consumption of bottled water
can also help in meeting the purpose of ocean safety. In the contemporary world, plastic water
bottles have become a great source of keeping oneself hydrated. Majority of these bottles comes
4 Kershaw, Peter, Saido Katsuhiko, Sangjin Lee, and Doug Woodring. "Plastic debris in
the ocean." United Nations Environment Programme, 2011.
5 Andrady, Anthony L. "Microplastics in the marine environment." Marine pollution
bulletin 62, no. 8 (2011): 1596-1605.
with a lifespan of single use, which means a huge amount of trash for nature after every single
use.6
Considering the similar relations, Lebreton, Greer, and Borrero also explored that
educating the existing as well as upcoming business organizations can also help in reducing the
plastic waste pollution in oceans. Interaction and instructions to local business like restaurants,
hotels and courier services for switching their packaging and bagging materials can potentially
facilitate the purpose of reducing plastic pollution. Furthermore, recycling of each and every
item is also a considerable recommendation proposed by the authors as it can condense the huge
impact of toxicities in the oceans.7
Past Attempts Made to Clean Up Plastic from the Oceans
As per the viewpoints of Vaitkevičiūtė, Jakubauskaitė, and Vitkuvienė, on reaching the
alarming state of plastic pollution, now the world has laid its contemplations for the ocean
cleaning and water purification practices. Various organizations and unions came forward with
the initiative to remove plastics from the oceans. The authors revealed that Surfrider Foundation
is a non-profit organization, working to remove plastic wastes from the coastal regions and
beaches of North America, South America, Japan and Europe. Similarly, Oceana is also an ocean
6 Claessens, Michiel, Lisbeth Van Cauwenberghe, Michiel B. Vandegehuchte, and Colin
R. Janssen. "New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field
collected organisms." Marine pollution bulletin 70, no. 1-2 (2013): 227-233.
7 Lebreton, LC-M., S. D. Greer, and Jose Carlos Borrero. "Numerical modelling of
floating debris in the world’s oceans." Marine Pollution Bulletin 64, no. 3 (2012): 653-
661.
use.6
Considering the similar relations, Lebreton, Greer, and Borrero also explored that
educating the existing as well as upcoming business organizations can also help in reducing the
plastic waste pollution in oceans. Interaction and instructions to local business like restaurants,
hotels and courier services for switching their packaging and bagging materials can potentially
facilitate the purpose of reducing plastic pollution. Furthermore, recycling of each and every
item is also a considerable recommendation proposed by the authors as it can condense the huge
impact of toxicities in the oceans.7
Past Attempts Made to Clean Up Plastic from the Oceans
As per the viewpoints of Vaitkevičiūtė, Jakubauskaitė, and Vitkuvienė, on reaching the
alarming state of plastic pollution, now the world has laid its contemplations for the ocean
cleaning and water purification practices. Various organizations and unions came forward with
the initiative to remove plastics from the oceans. The authors revealed that Surfrider Foundation
is a non-profit organization, working to remove plastic wastes from the coastal regions and
beaches of North America, South America, Japan and Europe. Similarly, Oceana is also an ocean
6 Claessens, Michiel, Lisbeth Van Cauwenberghe, Michiel B. Vandegehuchte, and Colin
R. Janssen. "New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field
collected organisms." Marine pollution bulletin 70, no. 1-2 (2013): 227-233.
7 Lebreton, LC-M., S. D. Greer, and Jose Carlos Borrero. "Numerical modelling of
floating debris in the world’s oceans." Marine Pollution Bulletin 64, no. 3 (2012): 653-
661.
conservative organization, which helps in restoring the oceans by using targeted policy
campaigns throughout the world.8
In the following framework, Srinivas and Nakagawa also discussed the cooperation of
The Blu, which operates through the internet to generate funds for the real ocean projects.
Therefore, is also as "Social Digital Ocean”. Furthermore, 5 GYRES and TAKE 3 are also some
non-profitable organizations functioning actively with effective ideas to make oceans and
surrounded regions free from plastic.9
Conclusion
On the basis of facts and discussions presented above, it can be concluded that the world
is facing a grim challenge of plastic pollution in the present. Thousands of tons of non-
degradable plastic is manufactured, used and then dumped in the oceans every year. The aquatic
life is chilling due to ingestion of plastic toxic waste in their surroundings and food chain.
Therefore, it becomes mandatory to reduce the consumption and dumping of plastics by
implementing various practices such as friendly shopping, reduced use of bottled water,
instructing business and recycling of used products.
8 Vaitkevičiūtė, Vaiva, Kamilė Jakubauskaitė, and Jurga Vitkuvienė. "Ecological Cleaning
and Reusing of Wastewater. Possibilities, Advantages and Suggestions." Journal of
Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering 18, no. 1 (2017): 57-64.
9 Srinivas, Hari, and Yuko Nakagawa. "Environmental implications for disaster
preparedness: lessons learnt from the Indian Ocean Tsunami." Journal of environmental
management 89, no. 1 (2008): 4-13.
campaigns throughout the world.8
In the following framework, Srinivas and Nakagawa also discussed the cooperation of
The Blu, which operates through the internet to generate funds for the real ocean projects.
Therefore, is also as "Social Digital Ocean”. Furthermore, 5 GYRES and TAKE 3 are also some
non-profitable organizations functioning actively with effective ideas to make oceans and
surrounded regions free from plastic.9
Conclusion
On the basis of facts and discussions presented above, it can be concluded that the world
is facing a grim challenge of plastic pollution in the present. Thousands of tons of non-
degradable plastic is manufactured, used and then dumped in the oceans every year. The aquatic
life is chilling due to ingestion of plastic toxic waste in their surroundings and food chain.
Therefore, it becomes mandatory to reduce the consumption and dumping of plastics by
implementing various practices such as friendly shopping, reduced use of bottled water,
instructing business and recycling of used products.
8 Vaitkevičiūtė, Vaiva, Kamilė Jakubauskaitė, and Jurga Vitkuvienė. "Ecological Cleaning
and Reusing of Wastewater. Possibilities, Advantages and Suggestions." Journal of
Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering 18, no. 1 (2017): 57-64.
9 Srinivas, Hari, and Yuko Nakagawa. "Environmental implications for disaster
preparedness: lessons learnt from the Indian Ocean Tsunami." Journal of environmental
management 89, no. 1 (2008): 4-13.
Paraphrase This Document
Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
References
Andrady, Anthony L. "Microplastics in the marine environment." Marine pollution bulletin 62,
no. 8 (2011): 1596-1605.
Claessens, Michiel, Lisbeth Van Cauwenberghe, Michiel B. Vandegehuchte, and Colin R.
Janssen. "New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field
collected organisms." Marine pollution bulletin 70, no. 1-2 (2013): 227-233.
Conservancy, Ocean. "Stemming the tide: Land-based strategies for a plastic-free ocean." Ocean
Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment, 48pp (2015).
Goldstein, Miriam C., Andrew J. Titmus, and Michael Ford. "Scales of spatial heterogeneity of
plastic marine debris in the northeast Pacific Ocean." PloS one 8, no. 11 (2013): e80020.
Kershaw, Peter, Saido Katsuhiko, Sangjin Lee, and Doug Woodring. "Plastic debris in the
ocean." United Nations Environment Programme, 2011.
Lebreton, LC-M., S. D. Greer, and Jose Carlos Borrero. "Numerical modelling of floating debris
in the world’s oceans." Marine Pollution Bulletin 64, no. 3 (2012): 653-661.
Srinivas, Hari, and Yuko Nakagawa. "Environmental implications for disaster preparedness:
lessons learnt from the Indian Ocean Tsunami." Journal of environmental
management 89, no. 1 (2008): 4-13.
Vaitkevičiūtė, Vaiva, Kamilė Jakubauskaitė, and Jurga Vitkuvienė. "Ecological Cleaning and
Reusing of Wastewater. Possibilities, Advantages and Suggestions." Journal of
Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering 18, no. 1 (2017): 57-64.
Andrady, Anthony L. "Microplastics in the marine environment." Marine pollution bulletin 62,
no. 8 (2011): 1596-1605.
Claessens, Michiel, Lisbeth Van Cauwenberghe, Michiel B. Vandegehuchte, and Colin R.
Janssen. "New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field
collected organisms." Marine pollution bulletin 70, no. 1-2 (2013): 227-233.
Conservancy, Ocean. "Stemming the tide: Land-based strategies for a plastic-free ocean." Ocean
Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment, 48pp (2015).
Goldstein, Miriam C., Andrew J. Titmus, and Michael Ford. "Scales of spatial heterogeneity of
plastic marine debris in the northeast Pacific Ocean." PloS one 8, no. 11 (2013): e80020.
Kershaw, Peter, Saido Katsuhiko, Sangjin Lee, and Doug Woodring. "Plastic debris in the
ocean." United Nations Environment Programme, 2011.
Lebreton, LC-M., S. D. Greer, and Jose Carlos Borrero. "Numerical modelling of floating debris
in the world’s oceans." Marine Pollution Bulletin 64, no. 3 (2012): 653-661.
Srinivas, Hari, and Yuko Nakagawa. "Environmental implications for disaster preparedness:
lessons learnt from the Indian Ocean Tsunami." Journal of environmental
management 89, no. 1 (2008): 4-13.
Vaitkevičiūtė, Vaiva, Kamilė Jakubauskaitė, and Jurga Vitkuvienė. "Ecological Cleaning and
Reusing of Wastewater. Possibilities, Advantages and Suggestions." Journal of
Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering 18, no. 1 (2017): 57-64.
Yamashita, Rei, Hideshige Takada, Masa-aki Fukuwaka, and Yutaka Watanuki. "Physical and
chemical effects of ingested plastic debris on short-tailed shearwaters, Puffinus
tenuirostris, in the North Pacific Ocean." Marine Pollution Bulletin 62, no. 12 (2011):
2845-2849.
chemical effects of ingested plastic debris on short-tailed shearwaters, Puffinus
tenuirostris, in the North Pacific Ocean." Marine Pollution Bulletin 62, no. 12 (2011):
2845-2849.
1 out of 9
Related Documents
Your All-in-One AI-Powered Toolkit for Academic Success.
+13062052269
info@desklib.com
Available 24*7 on WhatsApp / Email
Unlock your academic potential
© 2024 | Zucol Services PVT LTD | All rights reserved.