The great pacific garbage patch is a huge area of marine debris. The great pacific garbage patch is located within the north pacific gyre, 1 of the 5 major ocean gyres. The great pacific garbage patch gpgp is the largest of the five offshore plastic accumulation zones in the worlds oceans. Were spending march talking all about marine debris and its types, sources, impacts, and solutions. Isnt it an irony that the worlds biggest garbage dump is located in the worlds biggest ocean. The origins of the marine debris of the north pacific garbage patch can be summarized within two. It is located halfway between hawaii and california. Great pacific garbage patch national geographic society. Great pacific garbage patch now 3 times size of france earth. Scientists estimate that up to 70% of the plastic debris in the gpgp will sink to the bottom of the ocean. Great pacific garbage patch, a zone in the pacific ocean between hawaii and california that has a high concentration of plastic waste.
Another horrifying fact about the great pacific garbage patch is that it continues to have a devastating effect on marine life. As a matter of fact, the great pacific garbage patch is actually a combination to two separate trash vortexes. Harmful toxins, such as cadmium, mercury, and lead, are. The great pacific garbage patch, also described as the pacific trash vortex, is a gyre of marine. As important as these facts are, it is the size of the particles and the. Also, ocean features are a moving target and the borders and content of the area constantly change with ocean currents and wind. Plastic rings from sixpack cans of soda, plastic rope, and nets are all common traps for. The great pacific garbage patch stretches from the west coast of north america to japan. Richard grant reports on the great pacific garbage patch, and a new. Perhaps one of the most horrific things about the great. The collection of plastic and floating trash originates from the pacific rim, including countries in asia, north america, and south america. The second one lies between california and hawaii and is known as the eastern garbage patch. Figure 1 shows the north pacific garbage patch and other things that put plastic. In fact, the ocean conservancy reported that china, indonesia, philippines, thailand, and vietnam dump more plastic in.
The great pacific garbage patch is a collection of marine debris in the. These plastics are in fact microplastics or rather small pieces of plastic that are suspended in the water. The garbage patch in the pacific is the largest known on the planet, but several others can be found in other oceans five main ones are often reported. Heartwrenching facts about the great pacific garbage patch. The great pacific garbage patch is getting a lot of attention from ecoorganizations. The great pacific garbage patch is the worlds biggest area of marine debris. The great pacific garbage patch, or the pacific trash vortex, is an endless stream of garbage debris that can be found between the states of hawaii and california, and from eastern japan to west hawaii. The extent of the patch has been compared to the u. Patch misleads people to believe that the gpgp is a trash island. Microplastics have been discovered inside the great pacific garbage patch at every level under the water level, all the way down to the ocean floor.
It is located roughly from 5w to 155w and 35n to 42n. The great pacific garbage patch explained research the. The gpgp consists of a soupy collection of mostly plastic marine debris. It is just that the plastics are not seen floating on top of water surface of the pacific ocean. An alternative name for the great pacific garbage patch is pacific trash vortex. Pacific ocean garbage patch exaggerated, new analysis asserts. People find it difficult to grasp the true size of the oceans and the fact. Scientists of the ocean cleanup foundation have conducted the most extensive analysis ever of this area.
The great pacific garbage patch effects on marine life are extremely significant. The great pacific garbage patch is the largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world and is located between hawaii and california. For those of you who already know this, consider this list a refresher. Weve always tried to dispel that fact, said moore, who founded algalita marine research foundation in. White asserts that in order to be more effective advocates for reducing plastic pollution in oceans, the best. Read over 100 of the latest facts and statistics for 2020 here.
904 552 472 1499 300 966 564 1173 979 855 1267 806 1442 731 414 802 1118 1120 1169 1415 1228 1148 1582 1171 1133 1457 1552 1537 1520 726 1303 1451 1275 339 178 1359 1241 54 1465