The issue of plastic pollution in the ocean has been a long-standing problem. But it wasn't until the discovery of a massive garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean in 1997 that scientists truly understood the magnitude of the problem. Known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, it is the largest of several offshore plastic accumulation zones that are of grave concern.
Since its discovery, researchers have been working tirelessly to measure the size of the patch, understand its origins and find solutions to address the issue. In this article, discover what the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is, how it’s affecting marine life and the innovative solutions being harnessed to reduce it.
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What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
Contrary to popular belief, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not a solid island of plastic waste, but rather a scattered collection of microplastics. Sometimes referred to as the Pacific trash vortex, it covers an expansive area of one million square miles in the central North Pacific Ocean.
The existence of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch was predicted by oceanographers for a long time. But it wasn't until 1997 that it was confirmed by Charles Moore, a racing boat captain who witnessed millions of plastic pieces surrounding his vessel during a yacht race.
While the exact location and shape of the patch constantly change due to currents and winds, scientists predict that it roughly orbits around 32°N and 145°W and is bounded by the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Its low density and the fact that much of it is suspended as microplastics in the upper water column make it difficult to detect through satellite imagery.
This massive accumulation of plastic is divided into two sections: the Eastern Garbage Patch, which stretches between Hawaii and California, and the Western Garbage Patch, which extends between Japan and the Hawaiian Islands. The North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone connects these patches, as warm water from the South Pacific merges with cooler water from the Arctic, causing the debris to shift between the two areas.
Despite common misconceptions, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not a massive island of trash floating in the ocean. Instead, it consists of a dispersed mixture of microplastics and some larger objects like discarded fishing nets. Recent findings by oceanographers reveal that approximately 70% of marine litter actually sinks to the ocean floor, remaining hidden from view and often forgotten.
Researchers have calculated that the plastic density at the centre of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is approximately 354 pounds per square mile, decreasing to about 35 pounds per square mile towards the outer edges. It is estimated that there are roughly 1.8 trillion plastic pieces dispersed throughout, with a total mass of around 80,000 tons. To put this in context, that’s roughly equivalent to 500 jumbo jets worth of plastic or 250 pieces of debris for every person on Earth.
Approximately 100 million tons of plastic waste is produced globally each year due to plastic's durability, low cost and versatility in various consumer and industrial products. Everything from toothbrushes to water bottles and plastic bags are drawn into the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and ends up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Great Pacific Garbage Patch 101
The impact of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch on marine life
The impact of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and ocean plastics on marine life is a major concern, particularly due to the entanglement of species in abandoned fishing nets leading to incidents of "ghost fishing”. Turtles are often caught in six-pack rings or mistake plastic bags for food while seabirds like albatrosses are known to feed plastic resin pellets to their young, resulting in malnutrition and death.
Microplastics gathering near the water's surface obstruct sunlight from reaching plankton and algae, which are essential for producing nutrients in the marine food chain. This disruption can lead to a decrease in food supply for fish, as well as for large predators like sharks and whales. But it’s not just the ingestion of plastic debris that is the issue.
Exposure to ultraviolet light causes a chemical reaction in the hazardous ingredients used in plastic manufacturing, leading to the formation of plastic "tea". This leachate contains colourants, chemicals, pollutants and oils that pose environmental and health risks for marine-dwelling species. Many marine animals consume these concentrated toxins, which then bioaccumulate and threaten the seafood industry. Even fish intended for human consumption have been shown to contain tiny pieces of plastic and chemical toxins.
Research has also revealed that coral reefs exposed to plastic pollution are more susceptible to diseases compared to those that are plastic-free. The presence of plastic on coral creates conditions that are conducive for disease-causing microbes to thrive, due to low-light and low-oxygen environments. Additionally, hard plastic waste can physically harm corals (leading to infections) and can obstruct branching corals, preventing juvenile marine life from utilising them as nurseries.
Great Pacific Garbage Patch 101
Cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Rehabilitating the Great Garbage Patch poses a significant challenge due to its immense size and location far from any country's coastline, making it difficult for any nation to bear the financial responsibility for its cleanup efforts. Despite the obstacles, various international organisations have pledged to stop the growth of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and Charles Moore (who initially uncovered the patch in 1997) is actively involved in raising awareness through the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
The Ocean Cleanup is one of the organisations that has taken on the fight, led by Boyan Slat. It aims to eliminate 90% of ocean plastic pollution by developing technology to extract plastic from the oceans and intercept it in rivers before reaching the sea.
One of the primary challenges in addressing the ocean garbage patches is the widespread distribution of plastic pollution, covering millions of square miles. The Ocean Cleanup’s approach is to concentrate the plastic in “artificial coastlines” before collecting and removing it in large quantities. This is achieved through a long U-shaped barrier that directs the plastic towards a retention zone at the end.
The Ocean Cleanup’s current plastic collection exceeds hundreds of tons and continues to grow as it enhances its operations.
Great Pacific Garbage Patch 101
How to minimise plastic pollution in our oceans
While cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is of utmost importance, so too is preventing plastic waste from ending up in our oceans in the first place. At an individual level, we can all do our bit by reducing our use of single-use plastics and refusing products containing microbeads, as well as being effective recyclers.
If you don’t have adequate recycling facilities in your community, lobby your council to make changes that put the environment first and support legislation that curbs plastic waste. You can also participate in beach and river cleanup initiatives in your area and help spread the word about ocean plastics with your network of friends or through social media.
When you're heading off on a surf or dive vacation, opt to stay at eco-friendly resorts and camps that are taking steps to minimise their plastic waste. This is particularly important in destinations that don't have adequate waste management facilities and where plastic regularly ends up in waterways. Many surf camps and dive resorts are playing a leading role in cleaning up their surrounding environments and eliminating plastics from their operations altogether.
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