Is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch growing?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: A Growing Problem

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. It is the largest of five major ocean garbage patches in the world’s oceans. The patch is located roughly from 135°W to 155°W and 35°N to 42°N. The GPGP is not a solid mass of trash, but rather a large area of the ocean where plastic and other debris has accumulated. The patch is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and contains approximately six pounds of plastic for every pound of plankton.

Key Facts

  1. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean.
  2. The patch is actually comprised of the Western Garbage Patch, located near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, located between the U.S. states of Hawai’i and California.
  3. Research indicates that the patch is rapidly accumulating and has been increasing “10-fold each decade” since 1945.
  4. The gyre contains approximately six pounds of plastic for every pound of plankton.
  5. Sampling efforts have been conducted to study the accumulation of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. These efforts include surface net tows and aerial surveys.
  6. The aerial surveys sampled a far greater area than the trawl surveys, providing a more reliable quantification of larger plastic objects.
  7. Trawl samples were processed to separate debris by size classes and material types, with plastics being further divided into categories.
  8. Additional analyses were performed on the collected material, including polymer composition analysis and screening for production dates and origin information.

Research indicates that the GPGP is rapidly accumulating and has been increasing “10-fold each decade” since 1945. This increase is likely due to the increasing amount of plastic pollution entering the ocean. Plastic is a durable material that does not biodegrade easily. As a result, it can remain in the ocean for hundreds of years.

The GPGP has a negative impact on marine life. Plastic debris can entangle animals, block their digestive systems, and leach toxic chemicals into the water. The patch also poses a threat to human health. Plastic debris can contaminate seafood and drinking water.

Sampling Efforts

Sampling efforts have been conducted to study the accumulation of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. These efforts include surface net tows and aerial surveys. Surface net tows are used to collect plastic debris from the surface of the ocean. Aerial surveys are used to collect data on the size and distribution of plastic debris.

The aerial surveys sampled a far greater area than the trawl surveys, providing a more reliable quantification of larger plastic objects. The trawl samples were processed to separate debris by size classes and material types, with plastics being further divided into categories. Additional analyses were performed on the collected material, including polymer composition analysis and screening for production dates and origin information.

Conclusion

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a growing problem that poses a threat to marine life and human health. Research indicates that the patch is rapidly accumulating and has been increasing “10-fold each decade” since 1945. This increase is likely due to the increasing amount of plastic pollution entering the ocean. Efforts are underway to reduce the amount of plastic pollution entering the ocean, but more needs to be done.

Sources

FAQs

Is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch growing?

Yes, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is growing. Research indicates that the patch has been increasing “10-fold each decade” since 1945.

What is causing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to grow?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is growing due to the increasing amount of plastic pollution entering the ocean. Plastic is a durable material that does not biodegrade easily. As a result, it can remain in the ocean for hundreds of years.

How big is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to be twice the size of Texas.

Where is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is located roughly from 135°W to 155°W and 35°N to 42°N.

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch made of?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is made up of a variety of plastic and other debris. The most common type of debris is plastic bottles.

What impact does the Great Pacific Garbage Patch have on marine life?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has a negative impact on marine life. Plastic debris can entangle animals, block their digestive systems, and leach toxic chemicals into the water.

What impact does the Great Pacific Garbage Patch have on human health?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch poses a threat to human health. Plastic debris can contaminate seafood and drinking water.

What is being done to reduce the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Efforts are underway to reduce the amount of plastic pollution entering the ocean. These efforts include reducing the use of plastic, improving waste management, and developing new technologies to clean up plastic pollution.

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