Report on the Impact of Microplastics on Ocean Health and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Microplastics are significantly altering marine ecosystems by introducing trillions of plastic particles into the oceans. These particles permeate from the sea surface to the seafloor, causing harm to marine wildlife and disrupting ecological processes essential for ocean and planetary health. This report emphasizes the relevance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), in addressing the challenges posed by microplastic pollution.

Microplastics Distribution and Ocean Ecosystem Disruption

Spread of Microplastics Through Ocean Depths

• Microplastics form a “light smog” beneath the ocean surface, with buoyant plastics like polypropylene floating near the top and denser plastics such as PET sinking toward the seafloor.
• Ocean gyres accumulate high concentrations of plastics, affecting nutrient flows and temperature regulation critical to ocean health (SDG 14).
• Microplastics have been detected at extreme depths, including the Mariana Trench, transported by turbidity currents that also carry toxic pollutants.
• The deep sea, Earth’s largest habitat, is threatened by accumulating plastics, jeopardizing biological and chemical processes vital for climate regulation (SDG 13).

Disruption of the World’s Largest Carbon Sink

• The ocean absorbs approximately 25% of human-generated CO2, with phytoplankton and zooplankton playing key roles in carbon sequestration.
• Microplastics impair phytoplankton photosynthesis and alter zooplankton behavior, reproduction, and survival, disrupting the biological carbon pump.
• Disruption of carbon sequestration processes threatens climate regulation and oxygen production, impacting global health and ecosystems (SDG 13, SDG 3).
• Plastic degradation releases greenhouse gases such as ethane and methane, while ocean acidification from CO2 threatens marine species like corals and molluscs (SDG 14).

Plastic Pollution from Sea to Shore

Sources and Transport of Plastic Pollution

1. Plastic particles and chemicals escape landfills and enter waterways, eventually reaching the ocean.
2. Microplastics originate from various sources including cosmetics, synthetic textiles, manufacturing pellets, and fragmented larger plastics.
3. Ocean waves can emit harmful chemicals such as PFAS into the air, transferring pollution back to terrestrial environments.

Impact on Marine Species and Ecosystems

• Over 914 marine species are known to ingest or become entangled in plastics, with many more likely affected.
• Microplastic ingestion causes diseases such as plasticosis in seabirds and gut blockages in coral polyps, threatening biodiversity (SDG 14).
• Toxic chemicals bioaccumulate through the food chain, affecting top predators and potentially human consumers of seafood (SDG 3).

Oceanic Balance and Climate Interactions

Disruption of Oceanic Equilibrium

• Microplastics and associated chemicals interfere with ocean acidity buffering, oxygen regulation, and nutrient cycling.
• These disruptions exacerbate oxygen loss and harmful algal blooms, further stressing marine ecosystems.
• Plastic pollution compounds climate change effects, including accelerated fragmentation due to warming waters and redistribution by extreme weather events (SDG 13).

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Protecting marine ecosystems from plastic pollution is essential to maintaining biodiversity and ocean health.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Healthy oceans regulate climate through carbon sequestration; microplastic pollution threatens this function.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Human health is linked to ocean health through seafood consumption and oxygen production.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Reducing plastic production and waste is critical to preventing further ocean pollution.

Human Health and Socioeconomic Impacts

Effects on Nutrition and Livelihoods

• Many populations rely on seafood for nutrition, which is increasingly contaminated with microplastics and toxic chemicals.
• Industries such as fisheries and tourism suffer economic losses due to degraded marine environments and coral reef decline.
• Millions of people dependent on coral reef ecosystems face risks to food security, income, and coastal protection.

Recommendations for Action

1. Prevent plastic pollution at its source by significantly reducing plastic production and improving waste management (SDG 12).
2. Support international agreements such as the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty to regulate plastic pollution.
3. Enhance research and monitoring of microplastic impacts on marine ecosystems and human health.
4. Promote public awareness and sustainable consumption patterns to protect ocean health (SDG 14).

Conclusion

The pervasive presence of microplastics in the oceans poses a critical threat to marine ecosystems, climate regulation, and human well-being. Addressing this challenge aligns directly with multiple Sustainable Development Goals and requires coordinated global action to reduce plastic pollution, protect ocean health, and ensure a sustainable future for all.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article focuses extensively on ocean health, marine biodiversity, and the impact of microplastics on marine species and ecosystems.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Plastic pollution originates from production and consumption patterns, including single-use plastics and synthetic textiles.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article discusses the ocean’s role in carbon sequestration and how microplastics disrupt this process, affecting climate regulation.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Human health is linked to ocean health through seafood consumption and oxygen production by phytoplankton.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 14 Indicators
   • Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density.
   • Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches.
   • Indicator 14.3.1: Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations.
2. SDG 12 Indicators
   • Indicator 12.4.2: Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment.
   • Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.
3. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Indicator 13.2.2: Total greenhouse gas emissions per year.
   • Indicator related to ocean carbon sequestration capacity (implied by discussion of phytoplankton and zooplankton disruptions).
4. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution (implied through toxic chemical exposure from plastics).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: plasticpollutioncoalition.org