Essay Sample on Microplastics in the Oceans

Introduction

Microplastics refer to small pieces of plastics that are disposed to the oceans and other water bodies. These plastic pieces are said to be harmful to both the oceans and aquatic life in general. Researchers have proved that chemical elements have been among the most prevalent kind of marine debris present in the water bodies and other great lakes around the globe. The issue of the presence of the microplastics elements in the water bodies has been controversial in the topics regarding environmental public health (Boucher & Friot 2017). Microplastic in the water bodies has become a universal issue upon the increase in the number of plastic industries around the globe. Several oppositions face the fight against the disposal of these materials in the ocean; some individuals and activists hold that there are no such cases in the globe, while the other segment holds on that this issue is causing catastrophic results to the aquatic lives. The increase in the size of microplastics in the ocean has resulted in a decline in ocean health and the socio-economic consequences (Boucher, 2017). Although those plastics are utilized mostly as the vectors for transportation, there is a need to conduct a clear understanding of the potential results and the pathways from which this should be mitigated in the end.

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Specific Arguments

Microplastics in Our Ocean Threaten Marine Life

The marine life is bound to be affected adversely by the presence of the microplastics in the oceans and other water bodies. The aquatic life, including fishes, is believed to ingest these plastic materials in their systems, which will, after that, lead to the ultimate suffering and death at the end (Zarfl, 2011). The microplastics covers the coral reefs and food chain which becomes gradually contaminated, upon the consumption of the same, they end up spilling to the food chain and ultimately to the food supply in the long-run.

The marine life is then posted to a risk of becoming extinct in the process. The endangered species in the oceans and other water bodies are bound to be significantly affected upon the existence of the microplastics that are in our water bodies. According to a research conducted by the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP), about 82 percent of the plastic litter that is mainly found along the coastal regions originates from the land (Avio, 2017). The microplastics found in these water bodies are bound to affect the aquatic life significantly; therefore, it is evident that proper and effective measures should be put forth in ensuring that this pandemic is resolved before it causes more harm to the marine life.

Effects on Human Health

Microplastics are bound to have tremendous and negative impacts when it comes to human health. Individuals are bound to consume some of the microplastics indirectly, either through drinking the contaminated waters without their consent or by consuming marine organisms such as fish. The estimation of the number of microplastics and other plastic related materials present in the water bodies gives a clear indication of the potential impacts that are bound to occur concerning human health (Avio, 2017). Human health and lifestyle are affected by the number of microplastics present in the environment. Most of the diseases are associated with the uncontrolled deposition of microplastics in both the physical environment and the marine ecology. The microplastics take decades to decompose; this, therefore, leads to the area been littered. Once the microplastics are burnt, they end up polluting the atmosphere (Solomon, 2019). The air breathed by human beings ends up affecting the human health by causing various respiratory diseases in the process; therefore, it is imperative to ensure that the continued use of microplastics is controlled and the use of biodegradable substances is encouraged in the end.

Lack of Sustainability of the Critical Marine Ecosystems

Microplastics have resulted in the absence of sustainability in the crucial marine ecosystems. The marine life has faced significant threats when there is the incorporation of the microplastics in the oceans. Additionally, there has been a considerable number of microplastics swept in the oceans and other water bodies; therefore, placing marine life at a higher risk. Researchers have reflected that the accumulation of the microplastics in the oceans and other water sources has varied diversely from one region to the other (Andrady, 2011). I believe that the microplastics available in the oceans have more significant and critical risks to marine life than in any different ecosystem. Therefore, the limitation in the manufacturing of the plastic materials should be controlled or mitigated in the society. Once this has been resolved, the aquatic and marine life will not be posted to a critical situation. The accumulation of microplastics in the oceans is believed to be about 10 million tons per year; the influx of such substances is believed to be emanating from the urban centers (Andrady, 2011). Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that there is control of the plastic materials been deposited to the water bodies from the urban centers. The sustainability of the critical marine systems should be prevented from the pollution of the same; this will lead to the control of the marine life and other related menaces emanating from the deposition of the microplastics in the water bodies.

Social and Economic Development

Microplastics in the oceans and other water bodies are perceived to cause critical impacts on both social and economic development. A bright and practical analysis and understanding of the transportation mechanisms utilized in the ferrying of the microplastics to the ocean will lead to incurring more expenses. The impact will be felt in both the social and economic development of that particular country (Chatterjee, 2019). Additionally, the removal and cleansing process utilized is mainly regarded as expensive. The finances used in the removal of the microplastics from the oceans and the water bodies could have been used in facilitating the positive development of a country's economy. Additionally, the microplastics available in the water bodies have also promoted to the negative impact on both the environment and the health safeties. In mitigating the catastrophic effects, there is a need to ensure that the proper measures are equipped in the mitigation of the same.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the creation of awareness to both the public and private sectors regarding the effects of microplastics should be made clear. According to the scientific community, it is agreed that there should be active engagement and education to the society on the potential negative ecological, social, health, and economic impacts resulting from the utilization and deposition of the microplastics in both the physical environment and the oceans. The positive behavior change will create a foundation for managing the plastics entering the ocean either at a global or local level. The fostering of such measures will ensure that bright patterns are crafted in the view to improve the designs and models of distribution; this will, therefore, establish both social and economic indicators in the economy of a country.

References

Andrady, A. L. (2011). Microplastics in the marine environment. Marine pollution bulletin, 62(8), 1596-1605.

Avio, C. G., Gorbi, S., & Regoli, F. (2017). Plastics and microplastics in the oceans: from emerging pollutants to emerged threat. Marine environmental research, 128, 2-11.

Chatterjee, S., & Sharma, S. (2019). Microplastics in our oceans and marine health. Field Actions Science Reports. The journal of field actions, (Special Issue 19), 54-61.

Solomon, O. O., & Palanisami, T. (2016). Microplastics in the marine environment: current status, assessment methodologies, impacts and solutions. Journal of Pollution Effects & Control, 1-13.

Zarfl, C., Fleet, D., Fries, E., Galgani, F., Gerdts, G., Hanke, G., & Matthies, M. (2011). Microplastics in oceans. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62, 1589-1591.