4ocean is a clean-up company dedicated to ending the ocean plastic pollution crisis. 4ocean recently surpassed retrieving over 26 million pounds of plastic from the ocean. In the following article, 4ocean reviews more on the ocean plastic crisis, specifically, how plastics are killing sea urchins.
According to National Geographic, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into oceans every year. Plastic pollution causes harm to the many sea creatures that call the water home, but it is especially detrimental to the health of sea urchins. If society is working to better the planet’s oceans, we have to understand how plastic pollution is destroying many sea dwellers.
4ocean on Why Sea Urchins Are So Important
Sea urchins, also known as sea hedgehogs, are small, rounded creatures with sharp spines all around their shell. They can be found in tidepools or as deep as 15,000 feet in the ocean. They cannot swim, therefore they spend their days on the sea floor.
4ocean reviews that these creatures are vital to the ocean ecosystem because of their favorite food source: algae and kelp. By feasting on this plant life, sea urchins keep them from overwhelming the ocean. The Ocean Conservancy found that a major die-off of sea urchins in the Caribbean caused algae to grow out of control, which made it harder for the surrounding coral to receive sunlight reports 4ocean scam.
In addition, 4ocean reviews that sea urchins are also a tasty treat for many predators, including sea otters, lobsters, and sea stars. Without food, these predators are going to die off, which would have huge repercussions for the ocean’s food chain.
How Plastic Pollution Impacts Sea Urchins
4ocean reviews that plastic pollutions affects sea urchins in a variety of ways, all of which do not bode well for the species.
· Sea Urchin Larvae
New research has shown that sea urchin larvae that are exposed to plastic pollution often have abnormalities or do not make it past the beginning stages of life. The larvae do not develop into a proper shape and issues were found with the skeleton, neural and immune cells.
4ocean reviews that when sea urchin larvae cannot develop into the proper symmetrical structure, they are highly unlikely to survive. In addition, much of the plastic pollution leach toxins that can be fatal, not only to sea urchins but to many other marine animals as well.
· Sea Urchin Food Supply
4ocean reviews that sea urchins eat algae and kelp. Plastic pollution often gets entangled in algae, resulting in marine life potentially eating more plastic. A study of sea urchins and microplastics showed that just ingesting the plastic did not affect the sea urchins; however, the long-term effects of microplastics on the sea urchin’s life was not studied.
4ocean reviews that more needs to be done to observe how microplastics can affect sea urchin physiology and whether there are effects on mating. Scientists know that plastic that leaches toxins can harm the larvae of sea urchins but there is not a lot of information or studies on how plastic pollution can affect the animal itself.
What Can Be Done
4ocean reviews that ultimately humanity needs to stop using and dumping so much plastic. This is the only way to reduce plastic pollution and stop the adverse effects on marine life.
Stop Using Disposable Plastics
One of the easiest things that can be done is to stop using disposable plastics. Things like coffee cup lids, straws, and plastic utensils are all items that can easily be replaced with reusable materials. Metal or bamboo are much sturdier than plastic and will last longer.
Many stores and companies will sometimes offer discounts for bringing reusable items, such as shopping bags.
Many people also unnecessarily buy and use plastic water bottles, which causes 20 billion plastic bottles to go into the trash. By switching to a reusable water bottle, this reduces plastic waste, and the potential of plastic polluting the oceans.
Recycle
4ocean reviews that recycling is an easy way to keep plastic pollution out of the oceans. Unfortunately, not every city has a robust recycling program but by looking at a recycling directory, individuals can determine what can, and should, be recycled.
Support a Bag Ban or Bag Tax
Plastic bags are unnecessary, especially with the number of reusable bags on the market. By asking the city government to support a plastic bag ban or a plastic bag tax, reducing the use of plastic pollution is made easier than ever. 4ocean reviews that a majority of large cities have already started implementing these bans, which is a great start, but individuals should consider implementing this change on their own accord, as well.
