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Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released in seas or the ocean. Floating oceanic debris tends to accumulate at the center of gyres and on coastlines , frequently washing aground, when it is known as beach litter or tidewrack.
Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released in seas or the ocean. Floating oceanic debris tends to accumulate at the center of gyres and on coastlines , frequently washing aground, when it is known as beach litter or tidewrack.
In addition to all these impacts, the marine debris and beach litter pose dangers to wildlife on the beaches and marine ecology. [20] Many beach pollutants such as fishing gears and nets or oil spills jeopardize many sea animals including sea turtles , seabirds, and dolphins , and can cause serious injuries or death. [ 16 ]
Litter is a type of human impact on the environment and is a serious environmental problem in many countries. Litter can exist in the environment for long periods of time before decomposition and be transported over large distances into the world's oceans. Litter can negatively affect quality of life.
Marine animals can experience internal injuries, lacerations, infections, starvation, and diminished swimming ability from injesting plastic or getting entangled in plastic garbage. [141] Additionally, floating plastics aid in the spread of invasive marine organisms, endangering marine biodiversity and the food chain . [ 142 ]
Some long-lasting plastics end up in the stomachs of marine animals. [ 48 ] [ 49 ] [ 50 ] Plastic attracts seabirds and fish. When marine life consumes plastic allowing it to enter the food chain, this can lead to greater problems when species that have consumed plastic are then eaten by other predators.
The IPCC (2019) says marine organisms are being affected globally by ocean warming with direct impacts on human communities, fisheries, and food production. [67] It is likely there will be a 15% decrease in the number of marine animals and a decrease of 21% to 24% in fisheries catches by the end of the 21st century because of climate change. [68]
Beach wrack or marine wrack is organic material (e.g. kelp, seagrass, driftwood) and other debris deposited at high tide on beaches and other coastal area. This material acts as a natural input of marine resources into a terrestrial system, providing food and habitat for a variety of coastal organisms.