Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch
Table of Contents
The Pacific Ocean garbage patch, also called the Pacific trash vortex, is a large rotating system of currents in the central area of the North Pacific Ocean where a huge quantity of marine debris is deposited. The size of the area is not precisely determined, estimates ranging between 700,000 and 1,500,000 square kilometers, but, roughly, it is located between 135 degrees W to 155 degrees W and 35 degrees N to 42 degrees N.
The Pacific Ocean garbage patch consists mainly of chemical sludge from sewage and wastewater and plastic waste. Most of the waste in the area is not biodegradable, which means that it is just broken by the water into tiny, in most cases microscopic debris particles that are invisible to the naked eye and can be detected only by analyzing the water column among laboratory circumstances. However, despite the fact that most part of the debris is microscopic, the quantity of the waste in the area is so large that the volume of the visible waste is also significant. More than two-thirds of the debris comes from the land and about 20 percent is released into the water by ships.
The trash vortex formed gradually, over a long period of time. With the increase of marine pollution, the currents captured more and more debris and due to their rotational movement, the debris was directed towards the center of the vortex. The currents surrounding the patch collect the waste released into the water in the North Pacific area, including the waters of Japan and North America. A plastic bottle thrown into the sea at the coast of Japan will be carried North by the Kuroshio Current, and then it will be passed on to the North Pacific Current, which will carry it westward. When the bottle arrives at the vortex, it will be drawn towards its center, where it gets deposited in the calm waters.
The formation was predicted in a study released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 1988, but it was not until later, in 1999, that Charles J. Moore, an internationally acclaimed expert in marine pollution, discovered it. As he was traveling through the vortex, he noticed a huge patch of floating waste. The area was initially named the Eastern Garbage Patch by an oceanographer called Curtis Ebbesmeyer.
At the current state of scientific knowledge, it is still not completely clear how this enormous quantity of debris affects the marine ecosystem. Some fish and birds mistake the plastic particles for food and become ill after eating the pieces, and the floating debris is harmful also because many animals get entangled in the plastic objects deposited in the area. There are numerous species, such as crabs, water insects or barnacles that thrive because the Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch
exists, but this can be dangerous, too, because their uncontrolled proliferation can upset the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem they live in.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Unveiling the Marine Plastic Crisis
The Silent Epidemic: Oceanic Plastic Pollution
The world’s oceans, vast and awe-inspiring, have long been viewed as inexhaustible resources. Yet beneath the waves lies an unsettling secret: a sprawling mass of discarded plastic, known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). This swirling expanse of debris, predominantly composed of microplastics, covers an area three times the size of France and poses grave threats to marine ecosystems.
GPGP’s Origins and Dimensions
What Constitutes the GPGP?
The GPGP is not a solid mass, nor is it an island of trash. It comprises two distinct patches – the Western Garbage Patch, located near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, between Hawaii and California. These patches consist mainly of microplastics (tiny particles smaller than 5mm), which result from the breakdown of larger plastic items.
How Did It Form?
Oceanic currents, notably the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, act as conveyor belts, pulling in plastic waste from coastal regions and accumulating it within the GPGP. Over time, the convergence of marine litter, combined with the sun’s UV rays and wave actions, leads to the disintegration of plastic items, creating the pervasive microplastics that characterize the patch.
Impacts on Marine Life and Human Health
The Ripple Effects on Marine Biodiversity
Countless marine species, from plankton to whales, mistake these microplastics for food. Consuming these particles leads to physical harm and toxic contaminant exposure. Further up the food chain, predators that feed on these organisms accumulate higher concentrations of contaminants, a process known as biomagnification.
The Repercussions on Human Health
It’s not just marine life that’s affected. Humans, too, face potential risks. As we consume seafood tainted with microplastic-derived toxins, we introduce these harmful substances into our bodies, with potential repercussions for human health and well-being.
Mitigating the Plastic Crisis: A Global Initiative
Turning the Tide with Technology
Innovative technologies are emerging to tackle the GPGP. These solutions range from large-scale oceanic cleanup initiatives, employing floating barriers to capture and remove plastics, to micro-scale innovations targeting microplastics directly.
Advocacy and Policy Changes
Public awareness campaigns shine a spotlight on the crisis, prompting individuals, communities, and governments to act. Policy changes, such as banning single-use plastics and promoting sustainable alternatives, are integral to curtailing the flow of plastics into our oceans.