Understanding the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Size, Impact, and Cleanup Efforts

Imagine a swirling vortex of plastic debris, spanning an area twice the size of Texas and floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This isn’t a scene from a dystopian novel—it's the reality of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Comprised mostly of plastic waste, this vast collection of debris is a stark reminder of how human activities have impacted our oceans. Beyond being an eyesore, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch threatens marine life and ecosystems and disrupts the food chain, potentially affecting our own food sources.

Addressing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is critical—not only for the health of our oceans but for the well-being of our planet as a whole. Understanding the scope and impact of this environmental disaster is the first step toward meaningful action. Stay informed and be part of the solution—sign up for EcoBlvd’s newsletter to receive the latest updates on environmental challenges and initiatives.

So, what exactly is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and how did it come to be?

Untangling the Mystery: What Is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Contrary to the image of a floating island of trash, the reality is far more complex and widespread. This patch is actually composed of two distinct zones of debris: one located between the West Coast of North America and Hawaii, and the other between Hawaii and Japan.

This enormous accumulation of waste is trapped by the Pacific Subtropical Gyre—a system of ocean currents that form a massive, rotating vortex. The Gyre covers an area of about 20 million square kilometers (7.7 million square miles), making it a key player in the concentration of debris. As these currents circulate, they draw in plastics and other materials, which can linger in the ocean for decades due to their non-biodegradable nature.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to cover approximately 1.6 million square kilometers. Within this area, debris is categorized into four size classes: microplastics (0.05 – 0.5 cm), mesoplastics (0.5 – 5 cm), macroplastics (5 – 50 cm), and megaplastics (anything over 50 cm). While 94% of the debris count is made up of microplastics, larger plastics account for the majority of the patch's mass.

This plastic vortex is not only a visible symbol of pollution but also a severe threat to marine ecosystems. From entangling sea life to disrupting the food chain, the Pacific Trash Vortex presents a significant challenge to ocean health. Understanding its origins, composition, and impact is crucial for developing effective solutions.

But how did this massive accumulation of debris come to exist? To understand this, we need to look back at the history of its discovery and the factors that have contributed to its alarming growth.

From Discovery to Disaster: How Big is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch wasn't always a well-known environmental issue. In fact, its discovery is relatively recent, dating back to the late 1980s. The first reports of unusual accumulations of floating debris in the North Pacific Ocean came from sailors and oceanographers who noticed increasing amounts of plastic waste trapped within the Pacific Subtropical Gyre. However, it wasn't until 1997 that the GPGP truly gained global attention, thanks to Captain Charles Moore, who encountered vast expanses of plastic waste while sailing from Hawaii to California.

Since its discovery, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has grown at an alarming rate, both in size and density. This rapid expansion is largely due to several factors:

• Increased Plastic Production: Global plastic production has skyrocketed over the past few decades, from around 50 million tonnes in 1976 to over 368 million tonnes in 2019. As more plastic is produced, more of it ends up in our oceans.
  

• Ocean Currents and Gyres: The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre plays a critical role in the accumulation of debris. As the currents circulate, they trap floating plastic and other materials, leading to the gradual build-up of the patch over time.
  

• Inadequate Waste Management: Poor waste management practices, especially in coastal regions, contribute to the growing amount of plastic entering the oceans. Once in the ocean, this debris is carried by currents to the gyre, where it becomes part of the GPGP.
  
  
• Marine Sources: Fishing vessels and other marine activities contribute significantly to the patch's growth. Discarded fishing nets, known as ghost nets, account for nearly half of the GPGP's mass, continually adding to the problem
  

Understanding how the GPGP has expanded over time emphasizes the urgency of addressing its components. So, what exactly is floating in this ocean of trash?

What’s in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Uncovering the Ocean’s Trash

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a massive collection of marine debris, but it's not just one type of waste floating aimlessly in the ocean. The patch is a complex mix of various materials, each contributing to the environmental crisis in its own way. Understanding what makes up the GPGP is crucial for addressing the problem effectively.

Common Types of Waste Found in the GPGP:

• Plastic Fishing Gear (Ghost Nets): One of the most significant contributors to the GPGP is discarded fishing gear, including nets, ropes, and traps. In fact, 46% of the total mass of the GPGP consists of these ghost nets, which continue to drift through the ocean, trapping and killing marine life long after they've been abandoned. This makes them one of the most dangerous types of debris in the patch.
  
  
• Consumer Plastics (Bottles, Bags, and Packaging): Everyday consumer items, such as plastic bottles, bags, and food packaging, make up about 20% of the debris in the GPGP. These items are notorious for their persistence in the environment due to their lightweight nature, which allows them to float and accumulate over vast distances.
  
  
• Microplastics and Nurdles: 8% of the total mass of the GPGP is composed of microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size. These originate from the breakdown of larger plastic items as well as from sources like microbeads in cosmetics and nurdles used in plastic manufacturing. Despite their small size, microplastics pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, as marine organisms easily ingest them.
  
  
• Other Debris (Miscellaneous): The remaining 26% of the patch consists of a variety of other materials, including cigarette butts, Styrofoam cups, toys, and other household goods. These items contribute to the complexity and scale of the pollution, making cleanup efforts even more challenging.

The diversity of waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch illustrates the widespread nature of ocean pollution. From large, entangling ghost nets to tiny, almost invisible microplastics, each type of debris adds to the growing environmental crisis in our oceans. But the problem extends beyond just what’s floating on the surface—this trash also has devastating effects on marine life and human health.

How Does the Great Pacific Garbage Patch Affect Marine Life and Humans?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is not just a floating mass of trash—it's a growing threat to both marine life and human health. The environmental and health impacts of this vast collection of debris are profound and far-reaching, affecting the ocean's ecosystems, the species that inhabit them, and ultimately, us.

Environmental Impacts on Marine Life:

• Entanglement and Injury: One of the most visible impacts of the GPGP is the entanglement of marine animals in discarded fishing gear, often referred to as ghost nets. These nets trap a wide range of marine life, from fish and sea turtles to dolphins and whales, leading to injury, suffocation, and death. It's estimated that thousands of marine animals die each year due to entanglement in the GPGP.
  
  
• Ingestion of Plastics: Marine creatures often mistake small plastic particles for food. Sea turtles, for instance, confuse plastic bags with jellyfish, one of their favorite meals. Similarly, seabirds like albatrosses consume plastic debris, mistaking it for fish eggs. Ingesting plastic can lead to malnutrition, blockages in the digestive system, and even starvation, as animals consume plastic instead of real food.
  
  
• Disruption of the Food Chain: Microplastics, which make up a significant portion of the GPGP, are ingested by plankton and other small organisms at the base of the marine food web. As these plastics move up the food chain, they accumulate in larger predators, including fish that are consumed by humans. This bioaccumulation can lead to the presence of toxic chemicals in seafood, posing health risks to humans.

Health Impacts on Humans:

• Toxic Chemical Exposure: The plastics in the GPGP contain harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates, which can leach into the water and be absorbed by marine life. When humans consume seafood contaminated with these chemicals, they may be exposed to toxins that have been linked to health issues such as hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and even cancer.
  
  
• Economic Consequences: The presence of the GPGP also has economic implications, particularly for the fishing and tourism industries. Contaminated fish stocks, polluted beaches, and the need for costly cleanup efforts all contribute to the economic burden of ocean pollution.
  
  
• Impact on Food Security: As marine life is affected by the GPGP, there is a potential decline in fish populations, which can lead to reduced availability of seafood. This not only impacts food security but also affects livelihoods, particularly in communities that rely heavily on fishing.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is more than just an environmental problem; it’s a human health issue and an economic challenge. The interconnectedness of marine life and human well-being underscores the need for urgent action to mitigate the impacts of this growing disaster.

What Is Being Done to Address the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The vastness and complexity of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) make it one of the most challenging environmental issues of our time. However, efforts to address this growing problem are underway, with various organizations, governments, and innovators working to reduce its impact and ultimately clean up the oceans.

Current Cleanup Efforts:

• The Ocean Cleanup Project: One of the most prominent initiatives aimed at tackling the GPGP is The Ocean Cleanup, founded by Dutch inventor Boyan Slat. This project uses specially designed systems to collect and remove plastic from the ocean. The system consists of a large floating barrier that captures debris as it moves with the currents. Once full, the collected plastic is brought back to shore for recycling. The Ocean Cleanup has already removed thousands of kilograms of plastic from the GPGP, and ongoing efforts continue to expand its reach.
  
  
• Seabin Project: The Seabin Project is another innovative approach to ocean cleanup, focusing on capturing floating debris in marinas, ports, and other coastal areas before it can reach the open ocean. Seabins are floating garbage bins that suck in water from the surface, trapping plastic and other debris inside a catch bag. While not specifically targeting the GPGP, the Seabin Project
  helps to prevent additional waste from entering the patch by addressing pollution at its source.
  
  
• Ghost Gear Removal Initiatives: Given that discarded fishing gear, or ghost nets, make up a significant portion of the GPGP, several organizations have launched efforts to remove these dangerous materials. Groups like Ghost Diving and Healthy Seas organize dives and retrieval missions to recover abandoned nets from the ocean, preventing further harm to marine life. Additionally, some fisheries are adopting practices to reduce the loss of gear, such as using biodegradable materials and improving tracking systems.

Innovations in Plastic Recycling and Repurposing:

• Turning Ocean Plastic into New Products: Some organizations are finding ways to repurpose the plastic collected from the GPGP and other polluted areas. Companies like Parley for the Oceans collaborate with brands to create products made from recycled ocean plastic, such as shoes, clothing, and accessories. This not only helps remove plastic from the ocean but also raises awareness of the issue.
  
  
• Advances in Recycling Technology: Researchers and innovators are developing new technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of plastic recycling. Chemical recycling, for example, can break down plastic waste into its original components, allowing it to be repurposed into new products. These advancements could play a key role in reducing the amount of plastic waste that contributes to the GPGP.

These efforts represent a multifaceted approach to mitigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, combining cleanup operations, preventive measures, and innovative solutions. While significant challenges remain, the collective action of individuals, organizations, governments, and companies offers hope that we can reduce the impact of the GPGP and protect our oceans for future generations.

Conclusion:

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a stark reminder of the environmental impact of our actions. While the challenge is immense, ongoing efforts to clean up the oceans, reduce plastic waste, and raise awareness are crucial steps toward a solution. By understanding the scope of the problem and supporting initiatives that aim to mitigate it, we can all play a part in preserving the health of our oceans. Stay informed, make sustainable choices, and contribute to the fight against ocean pollution—because every effort counts.