Overview

One of, if not the largest collection of plastic waste/garbage present in our oceans. The island is accumulated thanks to plastics collected from rivers around the globe that eventually drift into our oceans. Being that plastic is less bouyant than water, likely the case with all the other garbage compiled in this island, it all collects into one large mass. Forming an island that spans from Hawaii to California. (1.6 million square kilimeters).

This garbage patch is by no means stationary. Scientists have been able to deduce that this patch orbits a certain amount thanks to winds and changes in the ocean's current.

What is being done?

Unfortunately, while attempts are being made by self-funded organizations around the globe to mitigate the continuation of growth in this garbage patch, high-scale efforts to clean this garbage patch are very expensive. Meaning there aren't any organizations willing to pay the money to clean this mess. On the brighter side, there are small organizations all around the world doing their part to prevent anymore plastic/trash from entering the ocean.

How does this affect the ecosystem?

Plastics in the ocean are sometimes mistaken by animals as food. Meaning that a sea turtle looking for a bite to eat may mistake a common plastic bag as a tasty jellyfish; resulting in potential respiratory or digestive problems if consumed. Sea turtles aren't the only ones affected, as plastics can be, and are consumed by other marine species as well.

This also comes back to hurt us as well. As the bits and pieces of plastics created through these interactions, otherwise known as microplastics/nanoplastics, get stuck in the digestive systems of the unfortunate fish that eat them. Meaning that the fish we consume may be carrying these microplastics with them all the way to your plate.