HOW CAN THE DAMAGE OF PLASTIC POLLUTION TO OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS BE

REVERSED?
By: Dieu Anh Nguyen - 10.3

In this research paper, I will identify possible ways the damage of plastic pollution to oceans
can be reversed and prevented, as well as analyze how they contribute to tackling ocean
plastic pollution. Throughout my research, I will also look at key concepts related to the
issue, including pollution, damage, ocean ecosystems, and reversibility. This paper takes
into account the perspectives of different stakeholders involved in local, national, and global
levels, as well as the roles they play in solving the issue.

Plastic is “an artificial substance that can be shaped when soft into many different forms and
has many different uses” and pollution is “damage caused to water, air, etc. by harmful
substances or waste” (Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, 2021). Therefore, plastic pollution means
the damage caused by an accumulation of harmful plastic waste. Because this research
topic focuses on oceans, the damage referred to affects all living things in ocean
environments. Introduced in the 19th century, plastic became widespread due to its unique
features - versatility, resilience, and inexpensiveness. Plastic was a synthetic alternative to
traditional natural resources and became incorporated into many products and industries
(History and Future of Plastics, 2021). However, issues with plastic disposal arose as plastic
pollution in oceans was first observed in the 1960s (Moore, 2020). Plastic’s reputation fell
further in the next decades because of growing concerns of plastic waste.

Plastic waste can come from many sources, in forms of household, industrial, or fishing
waste. It is directly dumped into waterways that flow to oceans or is carried around by wind
and rain (A Guide to Plastic in the Ocean, 2021). Plastic lasts a long time in oceans and can
be transported around the world when sucked into ocean current systems, gyres, which
circulate ocean waters. Moreover, plastic is non-biodegradable and cannot break down
naturally. They can only be broken into tiny particles called “microplastics”, which are
extremely difficult to manage (Evers, 2019). Plastic pollution is becoming more serious as
the amount of plastic discharged into oceans is increasing. Over 8 million tons of plastic
ends up in oceans annually, on top of the 150 million tons of plastic present in ocean
ecosystems (Marine plastics, 2021; Parker, 2020).
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