Brian Barton
The Pacific Ocean is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the world. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the world. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas or triple the size of France, with around 100 million kilograms of plastic floating in it. The majority of pollutants in the ocean come from human activities, with plastic pollution being one of the biggest issues. Rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution, but other sources include fishing gear and agricultural waste. This pollution has had a devastating impact on marine life, with thousands of animals dying from ingesting or getting entangled in plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main sources of ocean plastic pollution | Rivers, fishing gear, septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, timber harvest areas, oil spills, chemical spills, faulty factories, and water treatment systems |
| Size of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | 1,600,000 square kilometers (620,000 square miles), twice the size of Texas, or triple the size of France |
| Amount of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | 100 million kilograms, 1.8 trillion pieces larger than 0.5mm, 92% large objects, 8% microplastics |
| Impact on marine life | Entanglement and ingestion of plastic impact 914 megafaunal species, including 100 endangered species, and 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter |
| Plastic production and consumption | Humans produce over 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, with plastic production projected to increase |
| Plastic pollution reduction efforts | The Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate plastics as a pollutant, sued companies that turn plastic into consumer goods, and challenged permits for new ethane cracker plants |
| Plastic pollution cost | Plastic pollution is estimated to reduce the value of marine ecosystem services by $500 to $2500 billion per year |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
The patch formed gradually as a result of ocean currents drawing in waste material from across the North Pacific, including coastal waters off North America and Japan. While the majority of plastic in coastal waters comes from land-based sources, about 80% of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from boats and other marine sources, such as fishing activities. Buoys, crates, nets, and other fishing gear are commonly found in the patch.
The durability of plastic means that once it enters the ocean, it persists for long periods. Plastic pollution has been shown to harm marine life, including fish, turtles, seals, and crustaceans, through entanglement and ingestion. Microplastics, which result from the breakdown of larger plastics, are particularly harmful as they are difficult to detect but can be ingested by marine organisms and have been found to impact over 900 megafaunal species, more than 100 of which are endangered.
Efforts are being made to address plastic pollution in the Pacific. The Pacific Ocean Litter Project is a $16 million Australian Government-funded initiative working to reduce marine plastic litter in the coastal environments of Pacific island countries. The project focuses on actions to refuse, reduce, and replace single-use plastics.
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Marine debris
The majority of marine debris comes from human activities along coastlines and far inland. Intentional littering and dumping are a big cause of marine debris. When trash is not picked up, it can be washed into the ocean by waves and tides. Other human activities that cause marine debris include runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and timber harvest areas. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes and typhoons, can also cause major marine debris events.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is a well-known example of marine debris accumulation. It is formed by ocean currents that pull debris into one location, often the centre of a gyre. The patch is estimated to be twice the size of Texas or triple the size of France, with around 100 million kilograms of plastic floating in it. While it is not a solid island of trash, it is often compared to a plastic soup, with most debris consisting of small plastic particles suspended at or just below the surface.
A significant amount of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from fishing activities at sea, with discarded fishing gear making up a large proportion of the mass. However, the percentages vary by region, and studies have shown that in some areas, plastic pollution is primarily from land-based sources such as rivers.
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Oil spills
The environmental impact of this oil spill was significant and irreversible. It affected the vibrant birdlife and marine life of the region, including great blue herons, pelicans, endangered California least terns, fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales. The oil made the air and water toxic for these organisms, and dead birds and fish were found in the wake of the oil slick.
The Pacific Ocean is also affected by other forms of pollution, such as plastic pollution and marine debris. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California, is a well-known example of the accumulation of plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean. This garbage patch is formed by ocean currents that pull debris into a relatively stationary region, creating a high concentration of plastic and other waste materials.
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Nonpoint source pollution
The Pacific Ocean, like other oceans, is affected by nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is the accumulation of pollution from small sources that cannot be pinpointed. It includes pollution from individual cars, boats, farms, construction sites, septic tanks, trucks, and boats. It also includes larger sources such as farms, ranches, and forest areas. Nonpoint source pollution occurs when rain or snow moves these pollutants from the ground into the ocean via runoff. For example, after a heavy rainstorm, water flows off roads and parking lots, picking up oil left on the asphalt or road by cars. This runoff then empties into a stream, which flows into a larger stream, river, lake, or ocean.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been studied and surveyed by various organizations and individuals, including Charles Moore, who discovered it, and the Ocean Voyages Institute. The patch is constantly changing size and shape due to winds and currents, and it impacts marine life and ecosystems. It is composed of debris from various sources, including land-based sources such as littering and improper waste management, and marine sources such as fishing activities and agricultural waste.
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Point source pollution
The Pacific Ocean, like other oceans, faces a range of pollution issues, from plastic waste to oil spills. One specific type of pollution is point source pollution, which is defined as pollution that comes from a single source. This is in contrast to non-point source pollution, which comes from multiple sources and is the most common form of pollution in the ocean.
Another example of point source pollution in the Pacific Ocean is the discharge of chemicals and pollutants from industrial facilities. In some cases, factories or treatment plants may release untreated or partially treated wastewater into the ocean, containing harmful chemicals and toxins. This can have severe impacts on marine life and the health of the ocean ecosystem. Additionally, some industrial facilities may release pollutants into the air, which can then settle into the ocean, contributing to air and water pollution.
The Pacific Ocean is also affected by point source pollution from land-based sources, such as runoff from farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. Agricultural activities can result in the release of fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals into the ocean, causing harm to marine life and contributing to the creation of dead zones where oxygen levels are too low to support life. Furthermore, littering and improper waste disposal by humans contribute to the presence of plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean for long periods, impacting marine life through ingestion and entanglement.
While point source pollution events in the Pacific Ocean are less frequent compared to non-point source pollution, their impacts can be significant and far-reaching. These events highlight the importance of proper waste management, industrial regulation, and environmental protection measures to safeguard the health and biodiversity of the Pacific Ocean.
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Frequently asked questions
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a gyre of plastic debris in the north-central Pacific Ocean. It is the largest accumulation of plastic in the world and is estimated to be twice the size of Texas or triple the size of France. The patch is made up of the Western Garbage Patch, located near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California.
The Pacific Ocean contains plastic pollution, oil spills, and agricultural pollution such as fertilizer. Plastic pollution is especially harmful as it can be ingested by marine animals and can also absorb and release harmful pollutants such as PCBs.
The majority of pollutants in the Pacific Ocean come from human activities. Nonpoint source pollution comes from runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and other sources. Point source pollution comes from a single source such as an oil or chemical spill. Plastic pollution specifically comes from land-based sources and boats or other marine sources.
Organizations such as the Plastic Pollution Coalition and the Center for Biological Diversity are working to reduce plastic pollution and petition governments to regulate plastics as pollutants. Efforts to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch have also been undertaken, but the scale of the problem makes this challenging.
