Meghan Hodges
The world's oceans are facing a plastic pollution crisis. An estimated 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste are in our seas and oceans, threatening marine life and ecosystems. While all oceans are affected, some are less polluted than others. The least polluted oceans are the South Pacific and South Atlantic, due to limited human activity in the Southern Hemisphere. In contrast, the North Pacific and Indian Oceans are the most polluted, containing 56% of all plastic particles. The North Pacific Gyre, between Japan and the United States, has formed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, containing an estimated two trillion pieces of plastic. The Indian Ocean Garbage Patch, caused by the Indian Ocean Gyre, contains 1.3 trillion pieces of plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Least Polluted Ocean | South Pacific Ocean |
| Number of Plastic Pieces | 297 billion |
| Reason | Limited Human Activity |
| Second Least Polluted Ocean | South Atlantic Ocean |
| Number of Plastic Pieces | 491 billion |
| Reason | Limited Human Activity |
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What You'll Learn
The South Pacific and South Atlantic are the least polluted oceans
In contrast, the North Pacific Ocean is the most polluted of the world's oceans. It holds an estimated two trillion pieces of plastic, which represent about a third of the total plastic found in the ocean. The North Pacific Gyre has piled up garbage between Japan and the United States, forming the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Indian Ocean is the second most polluted ocean, with 1.3 trillion plastic pieces, mostly found in the Indian Ocean Garbage Patch. The North Atlantic Ocean holds about 930 billion pieces of plastic, with most of the plastic found in the North Atlantic Garbage Patch within the North Atlantic Gyre.
The plastic pollution in the oceans is caused by human activity. About 80% of the world's plastic pollution comes from land-based use, and the remaining 20% comes from marine-going vessels. Plastic pollution is dangerous to marine life as plastic is non-biodegradable and does not decompose. Marine animals cannot differentiate between plastic and prey, and plastic particles have been found in 114 marine species, more than half of which are part of the regular human diet.
While the South Pacific and South Atlantic Oceans are the least polluted, no ocean is entirely free from human impacts. For example, plastic has been found in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the ocean. To address the problem of plastic pollution, prevention is key, and the use of plastic must be limited or eliminated in favour of biodegradable alternatives.
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Human activity is more limited in the Southern Hemisphere
The least polluted oceans are the South Pacific and South Atlantic, as human activity is more limited in the Southern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere is less polluted than the Northern Hemisphere, which contains the large landmasses of Asia, Europe, and North America, with their industry and traffic. Exhaust fumes from cars and factories, as well as greenhouse gases like methane and nitrogen oxides, contribute to the higher levels of pollution in the Northern Hemisphere.
The North Pacific Ocean, in contrast, is the most polluted of the world's oceans. It holds an estimated two trillion pieces of plastic, representing a third of the total plastic in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Japan and the United States, is a result of the North Pacific Gyre. The Indian Ocean is the second most polluted ocean, with 1.3 trillion plastic pieces, mostly found in the Indian Ocean Garbage Patch. This pollution is due to the river mouths of two of the most polluted rivers in the world, the Indus and Ganges, draining into it.
The higher levels of pollution in the Northern Hemisphere are not only limited to the oceans but also extend to the atmosphere. The Northern Hemisphere tends to have more polluted air due to a higher number of cities and a larger population in those cities, resulting in increased industrial activities. An international research team found that the atmospheric cleaning agent hydroxyl (OH) is present in similar concentrations in both hemispheres, challenging the assumption that higher pollution levels in the Northern Hemisphere would result in greater production of this cleaning agent.
The Southern Hemisphere's lower pollution levels are also influenced by its oceanic dominance. Oceans play a crucial role in absorbing and diluting pollutants, which contributes to maintaining cleaner air in the region. Additionally, the Southern Hemisphere experiences more storms, which aid in the natural process of cleansing the atmosphere of pollutants. This combination of factors, including limited human activity, the diluting effect of oceans, and storm activity, contributes to the Southern Hemisphere's relatively less polluted environment.
While the Southern Hemisphere benefits from these factors, it is important to recognize that human activity, particularly the use of plastic, remains a significant contributor to ocean pollution. Addressing the root causes of pollution and adopting sustainable practices, such as reducing, recycling, or eliminating plastic use, are essential steps in mitigating the impact of human activity on the oceans, regardless of hemisphere.
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The North Pacific Ocean is the most polluted
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest floating garbage patch in the world. It is composed of the Western Garbage Patch, located near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California. These areas of spinning debris are linked by the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone, located a few hundred kilometres north of Hawaii. The patch is frequently featured in media reports as an exceptional example of marine pollution.
The plastic in the patch comes from a variety of sources. A 2018 study reported that synthetic fishing nets made up nearly half of the mass of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, largely due to increased fishing activity in the Pacific Ocean. Another study, using data from 2010, indicated that China was responsible for approximately 30% of the plastic pollution in the North Pacific. In 2017, a report stated that China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam dump more plastic in the sea than all other countries combined. However, the United States is also a significant contributor to plastic pollution in coastal environments, ranking as the third-largest contributor in 2018.
The plastic pollution in the North Pacific Ocean has severe consequences for marine life. As plastic is non-biodegradable, it persists in the ocean for long periods, with the oldest pieces found dating back to the 1960s. Marine animals often cannot differentiate between plastic and prey, and entanglement and ingestion of plastic have impacted 914 megafaunal species, more than 100 of which are endangered. Additionally, plastics can absorb pollutants from seawater, and these chemicals can enter the food chain when consumed by marine life.
While the North Pacific Ocean is the most polluted, the least polluted oceans are the South Pacific and South Atlantic, due to limited human activity in the less populated southern hemisphere.
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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a well-known phenomenon
The South Pacific and South Atlantic Oceans are the least polluted oceans. The South Pacific, in particular, has less human activity and is less populated.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to cover 1.6 million square kilometres, an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France. It contains more than 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, weighing approximately 100,000 tonnes. While microplastics dominate the area by count, 92% of the mass of the patch consists of larger objects. The patch is believed to have increased "10-fold each decade" since 1945, with plastic items dating back over 50 years found within it. The gyre contains approximately six pounds of plastic for every pound of plankton.
The garbage patch is largely comprised of plastic waste from industrialised fishing nations, including unidentifiable fragments, fishing and aquaculture gear, and plastic items associated with food, drinks, and household items. A 2019 study found that 80% of plastic in the ocean comes from land-based sources, with the remaining 20% coming from boats and other marine sources. A 2022 study reported that 75% to 86% of plastic pollution comes from fishing and agriculture, with most identified emissions originating from Japan, China, South Korea, the US, and Taiwan.
The Ocean Cleanup organisation has been working to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, removing over one million pounds of trash from the patch by the end of 2024.
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The Indian Ocean is the second-most polluted ocean
The Ganges and the Indus rivers, two of the world's largest and most polluting rivers, account for a large percentage of the pollutants in the Indian Ocean. Both rivers are listed among the ten rivers with the highest levels of pollution. These rivers are among the ten rivers that account for 90% of the pollution in the oceans. The use of fertilizers in the Indian Ocean region is also a contributing factor to pollution. Rainwater washes fertilizers into nearby water bodies, which eventually join the ocean.
The Indian Ocean region is home to many developing countries that are largely dependent on agriculture and are in a rapid phase of industrial development with little regulation. The widespread use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as the burning of coal, are common practices that contribute to the pollution of the ocean.
The high levels of pollution in the Indian Ocean pose a severe threat to aquatic life, which is an essential component of the food chain. Marine animals, such as turtles, often mistake plastic for prey, leading to their demise. Additionally, the chemicals released from plastic consumed by fish are absorbed into their fat and muscles, which are then ingested by humans through seafood consumption.
To address the pollution in the Indian Ocean, regional cooperation and initiatives are being established. The World Bank and its partners are supporting a new project in South Asia to fund innovative ways to prevent, collect, and upcycle plastic waste. This includes research grants to find alternatives to plastic, aiming to build a circular economy that will stop plastic waste from entering the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The least polluted oceans are the South Pacific and South Atlantic. This is because human activity is more limited in these areas.
The North Pacific Ocean is the most polluted ocean, with an estimated two trillion pieces of plastic, representing a third of the total plastic found in the ocean.
The Indian Ocean is the second most polluted ocean, with 1.3 trillion pieces of plastic.
About 80% of plastic in the ocean comes from land-based activities, and 20% comes from waste directly thrown into the ocean by boats and ships. The most common plastic pollutants are plastic bags, plastic bottles, food containers and cutlery, wrappers, synthetic rope, and fishing items.
