The Pacific Garbage Patch, specifically known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), is the largest accumulation of plastic and marine debris in the open ocean. It is located in the North Pacific Ocean, roughly between Hawaii and California, within the North Pacific Gyre-a large system of circulating ocean currents
. Key facts about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch:
- It covers an estimated surface area of about 1.6 million square kilometers, which is roughly twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France
- The patch consists mainly of plastic debris, including large objects like fishing nets, bottles, and other discarded items, as well as vast amounts of microplastics-tiny plastic particles often smaller than 5 millimeters
- The debris originates from land-based sources such as rivers, coastal cities, and maritime activities, transported by ocean currents into this convergence zone
- Contrary to popular belief, the patch is not a solid island of trash but a dispersed area where plastic particles are suspended throughout the water column, making it difficult to detect visually or by satellite
- The patch is dynamic, with its location and shape shifting due to seasonal and interannual variations in currents and winds
- It has been growing rapidly, with plastic accumulation increasing roughly tenfold each decade since 1945
- The patch poses significant environmental threats to marine life and ecosystems, as plastics degrade into microplastics and persist in the ocean for decades
In summary, the Pacific Garbage Patch is a massive, floating concentration of plastic pollution in the central North Pacific Ocean, formed by ocean currents that trap debris from across the Pacific Rim, creating a persistent environmental hazard
