The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Explained | Research | The Ocean Cleanup

Summary

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the oceans, particularly highlighted by The Ocean Cleanup's groundbreaking research on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In 2015, a Mega Expedition was launched, utilizing 30 boats to collect over 1.2 million plastic samples. Aerial surveys revealed the patch spans 1.6 million km², containing 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, significantly more than earlier estimates. With 80,000 tons of debris, primarily larger objects that will fragment into microplastics, the findings indicate a growing pollution crisis, underscoring the urgent need for cleanup efforts starting in 2018.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to the oceans today.
• 🔍 The Ocean Cleanup has published the most advanced research on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
• 🌐 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation zone of ocean plastic on the planet.
• 🧪 Traditional methods of studying the patch involved dragging small nets, which are inadequate for larger debris.
• 🚢 In 2015, The Ocean Cleanup launched the Mega Expedition with 30 boats to gather more comprehensive data.
• 📊 The Mega Expedition collected 1.2 million plastic samples over a large area.
• ✈️ Aerial surveys were conducted using a converted military aircraft to assess larger debris from above.
• 📏 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch measures 1.6 million km², three times the size of France.
• 📦 The patch contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, averaging 250 pieces per person globally.
• ⚖️ The total mass of plastic in the patch is estimated at 80,000 tons, significantly more than previous estimates.

Q & A

What is the main environmental issue discussed in the transcript?

The main environmental issue discussed is plastic pollution in the oceans, specifically focusing on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

What organization conducted the recent research on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The Ocean Cleanup conducted the recent research on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

How long have scientists been studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Scientists have been studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch since the 1970s.

What method was traditionally used to study ocean plastic, and what were its limitations?

Traditionally, a small sampling net was dragged through the ocean, which was valid only for small debris and covered too small an area to reliably measure larger debris.

What was the purpose of the Mega Expedition launched by The Ocean Cleanup in 2015?

The purpose of the Mega Expedition was to cross the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with 30 boats simultaneously to gather more comprehensive data on ocean plastic.

How many plastic samples were collected during the Mega Expedition?

During the Mega Expedition, a total of 1.2 million plastic samples were collected.

What innovative approach did The Ocean Cleanup use to measure larger debris?

The Ocean Cleanup conducted the first-ever aerial surveys of the garbage patch using a converted military aircraft equipped with cutting-edge sensors.

What is the estimated size of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch measures approximately 1.6 million square kilometers, which is three times the size of France.

How many pieces of plastic are estimated to be in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The patch contains an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, equating to about 250 pieces for every person on Earth.

What percentage of the total mass of plastic in the patch is made up of larger objects?

92% of the total mass of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is made up of larger objects.

What are the implications of the findings regarding the future of plastic pollution in the patch?

The findings suggest that plastic pollution in the patch is increasing exponentially and that the plastic is unlikely to degrade naturally, as it will fragment into dangerous microplastics over the coming decades.