Brian Barton
The Pacific and Atlantic oceans are two of the five distinct regions of the ocean that make up around 71% of the Earth's surface. Both oceans are heavily polluted, with plastic accounting for the majority of the pollution. The North Pacific Ocean, located between Asia and the West Coast of the US, is the most polluted ocean, containing two trillion pieces of plastic, which represent a third of the total plastic in the ocean. The North Atlantic Ocean, on the other hand, holds about 930 billion pieces of plastic, making it the third most polluted ocean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most polluted ocean | Pacific Ocean |
| Number of plastic pieces in the Pacific Ocean | 2 trillion |
| Percentage of plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean | One-third of the total plastic pollution in all oceans |
| Second most polluted ocean | Indian Ocean |
| Number of plastic pieces in the Indian Ocean | 1.3 trillion |
| Third most polluted ocean | North Atlantic Ocean |
| Number of plastic pieces in the North Atlantic Ocean | 930 billion |
| Fourth most polluted ocean | South Pacific Ocean |
| Number of plastic pieces in the South Pacific Ocean | 491 billion |
| Fifth most polluted ocean | South Atlantic Ocean |
| Number of plastic pieces in the South Atlantic Ocean | 297 billion |
| Least polluted ocean | South Pacific Ocean |
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What You'll Learn
The Pacific Ocean is the most polluted ocean
The Pacific Ocean's pollution is largely attributed to its position as a significant shipping route between Asia and North America. The extensive use of non-biodegradable plastic in these regions contributes to the high volume of plastic pollution in the ocean. It is estimated that 80% of plastic pollution in the North Pacific comes from land-based sources, while 20% originates from marine vessels. The issue of plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean is not limited to the surface but extends to the deepest parts, with debris found even in the Mariana Trench.
The impact of plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean is far-reaching and detrimental. Marine animals mistake plastic for prey, leading to ingestion and subsequent harm. Additionally, microplastics ingested by fish and other species that filter their food from the water can accumulate in their bodies. This contamination extends to shellfish, with over one-third of shellfish-growing waters in the United States affected by coastal pollution. As a result, studying the effects of microplastics and other contaminants in seafood has become crucial.
While the Pacific Ocean bears the brunt of plastic pollution, it is important to recognize that every ocean on Earth is polluted. The Indian Ocean, the North Atlantic, the South Pacific, and the South Atlantic are also significantly affected by plastic waste. The Northern Hemisphere, particularly the North Pacific and Indian Oceans, contain 56% of all plastic particles. The Southern Hemisphere, including the South Pacific and South Atlantic, is less afflicted but still faces substantial pollution levels. The Mediterranean Sea, despite being the smallest, holds approximately 247 billion plastic pieces.
Addressing the plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean and other bodies of water is a pressing issue. While cleaning up the waste currently in the ocean may be impractical, efforts are being made to reduce the use of disposable plastics and promote biodegradable alternatives. Additionally, research from Kings College London suggests that plastic may be entering the air we breathe, underscoring the urgency of tackling this environmental crisis.
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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The GPGP is a collection of marine debris, or "microplastics", in the upper water column. These microplastics are often microscopic and cannot be detected by satellite imagery or even by casual boaters or divers in the area. However, they can make the water look like a cloudy soup, and this soup is intermixed with larger items such as fishing gear and shoes. The patch is believed to have increased "10-fold each decade" since 1945, and microplastic concentration will continue to increase as more plastics are discarded into the environment.
The GPGP is estimated to cover 1.6 million square kilometres, an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France. By the end of 2024, the Ocean Cleanup had removed over one million pounds of trash from the patch, but this only amounted to 0.5% of the total accumulated trash. The mass of the plastic in the GPGP was more recently estimated to be approximately 100,000 tonnes, which is 4-16 times more than previous calculations.
A 2018 study reported that synthetic fishing nets made up nearly half the mass of the GPGP, largely due to ocean current dynamics and increased fishing activity in the Pacific Ocean. A 2014 study also found that discarded fishing gear accounted for more than 60% of the mass of plastic marine debris. The 200 plastic objects analysed in another study carried the most common language writings of Chinese, Japanese, English, and Korean, in that order.
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The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific, is the most polluted ocean, with two trillion plastic pieces, accounting for one-third of the plastic pollution in all oceans. The North Pacific Gyre, formed by ocean currents, has accumulated garbage between Japan and the United States. The garbage patch is made up of waste from land-based activities in North America and Asia, as well as waste dumped by ships and boats, with most of this waste being fishing nets.
The Indian Ocean is the second most polluted ocean, with 1.3 trillion plastic pieces. The discovery of the Indian Ocean Garbage Patch in 2010 disproved the notion that this ocean was free of such pollution. The Indus and Ganges Rivers, which drain into the Indian Ocean, are among the most polluted rivers globally and contribute significantly to the ocean's pollution.
The South Pacific and South Atlantic Oceans are the least polluted, with 491 billion and 297 billion plastic pieces, respectively. However, it is important to note that plastic pollution is not limited to these garbage patches. Plastic pollution is widespread, affecting marine life, the ocean floor, and even the air we breathe. Marine animals mistake plastic for prey, and microplastics can be ingested by fish and other species, adversely affecting both marine life and human health.
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The impact of plastic pollution on marine life
The Pacific Ocean is the most polluted ocean, with two trillion plastic pieces, and the North Pacific Gyre is responsible for forming the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The North Atlantic Ocean is also highly polluted, with about 930 billion plastic pieces, most of which are found in the North Atlantic Garbage Patch.
Plastic pollution has a detrimental impact on marine life in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Marine species, including seabirds, sea turtles, whales, and fish, face the risk of entanglement in plastic debris, leading to injury, loss of limbs, and vulnerability to predators. Large plastic items, such as discarded fishing nets, can also smother and break coral reefs, disrupting their healthy growth.
Ingestion of plastic is another significant threat to marine life in these oceans. Seabirds, sea turtles, and whales often mistake plastic fragments for food, leading to internal injuries and a condition called "plasticosis," caused by the ingestion of rough plastic edges. This results in scarring (fibrosis) in the digestive system, making it challenging for affected individuals to digest their food and obtain necessary nutrients.
Microplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye, pose a hidden danger to marine life. Studies have found microplastics in the guts of all seven species of sea turtles in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, molluscs like mussels and oysters, which filter seawater for feeding, have been found to contain microplastic pieces in their systems. Microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, leading to toxic contamination in marine organisms that ingest them. The accumulation of toxins in apex predators, such as great white sharks and orcas, through biomagnification, poses a significant yet understudied threat.
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Oil spills and other pollutants
The Pacific Ocean, the largest and deepest ocean on the planet, has been marred by oil spills and faces considerable pollution challenges. In October 2021, a massive oil spill occurred in the Pacific, impacting the Southern California coastline. Over 120,000 gallons of oil leaked from the Platform Elly oil rig, operated by Beta, approximately 8.6 miles from the shore. The spill had dire consequences for the environment, with oil washing up on Huntington Beach and the Talbert Marsh wetlands, a habitat for diverse birdlife and marine life, including endangered species. The spill also led to the closure of parts of the beach and the cancellation of events to facilitate cleanup efforts and protect public health.
The Pacific Ocean is also notorious for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vast accumulation of marine debris formed by ocean currents. This garbage patch, located between Japan and the United States, contains an estimated 2 trillion plastic pieces, with 80% of the debris originating from land-based activities in North America and Asia. Microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of non-biodegradable plastic, pose a significant threat to marine life and interfere with the ocean's natural carbon cycle.
The Atlantic Ocean, the second-largest and second-deepest ocean, also faces significant pollution issues. A study by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) revealed that the amount of plastic pollution in the Atlantic has been massively underestimated. The study found that the Atlantic's total plastic load is estimated to be around 200 million tonnes, with 12-21 million tonnes of microplastics floating in the top 200 meters. This is 10 times more than previously believed, underscoring the severity of plastic pollution in the Atlantic.
While both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans grapple with the detrimental effects of oil spills and other pollutants, the Pacific Ocean, particularly with the presence of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, may currently face a more significant pollution challenge. However, it is important to recognize that pollution knows no borders, and both oceans are in dire need of concerted conservation and cleanup efforts to mitigate the impact of human activities on these vital ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pacific Ocean is the most polluted ocean, with 2 trillion plastic pieces, which is around one-third of the plastic found in oceans.
The Indian Ocean is the second most polluted ocean, with 1.3 trillion pieces of plastic.
The South Pacific Ocean is the least polluted ocean, with 491 billion pieces of plastic.
Plastics are the major pollutants of the oceans, with around 150 million metric tons of plastics currently in the oceans. However, other causes of ocean pollution include oil and chemical tankers, offshore drilling, and sunken ships carrying cargo.
Garbage patches are large accumulations of marine debris formed by rotating ocean currents called gyres that pull debris into one location, often the centre of the gyre. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific, is the largest garbage patch in the world.
