While many people are fascinated by the world’s vast oceans, they glance past the insidious threat it suffers: plastic pollution. Plastic waste is the product of human activity that found its way into the marine ecosystem, devastating marine life and the ocean ecosystem. 

Plastic has become an integral part of our daily lives due to its durability and flexibility. However, this durability is also a curse. Plastic persists in the environment for hundreds of years, slowly breaking down into smaller fragments known as microplastics. These microplastics can infiltrate any part of the world, due to being so tiny. One place they infiltrate often are the oceans. The consequences of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. Marine animals often mistake plastic items for food. Thus, these animals-whales, turtles, dolphins, sharks, and etc.-have been found with stomachs full of plastic debris. This leads to the animal’s malnutrition, internal injuries, and even death. Even more, the ingestion of microplastics by organisms on the bottom of the marine food chain can disrupt entire ecosystems by impacting the availability of prey for marine animals on a higher trophic level. 

In addition to  having physical threats, plastic pollution also introduces harmful chemicals into the ocean. Plastic materials can absorb toxic substances from surrounding seawater, pollutants, and metals. When consumed by an organism, these contaminated plastics introduce harmful chemicals into their body, thus impacting the marine food web, and potentially reaching humans who, manytimes, consume seafood. 

This problem of plastic pollution is not specific to a region, but a global challenge. Millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, originating from countries all around the world. International efforts to combat this issue are urgent as many countries need policies and practices to reduce plastic production and waste.