Difference between revisions of "Plastic in the Ocean"
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===Where does it come from?=== | ===Where does it come from?=== | ||
| − | Estimates of plastic in the world’s oceans exceed 100 million tons. Though 20% comes from ocean sources like derelict fishing gear or ocean dumping, 80% comes from land, through wind-blown landifll waste, for example. | + | Estimates of plastic in the world’s oceans exceed 100 million tons. Though 20% comes from ocean sources like derelict fishing gear or ocean dumping, 80% comes from land-based activities, through wind-blown landifll waste, for example. |
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===What is the dimension of the problem?=== | ===What is the dimension of the problem?=== | ||
| − | + | The plastic dominates the marine debris not only due to its is not biodegradable and very little of it (less than 4%) is recycled. Because it is durable and light-weight, plastic debris travels over vast distances and accumulates on beaches and in the ocean. | |
In the Central North Pacific Gyre, pieces of plastic outweigh surface zooplankton by a factor of 6 to 1. | In the Central North Pacific Gyre, pieces of plastic outweigh surface zooplankton by a factor of 6 to 1. | ||
Revision as of 12:23, 28 July 2009
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Contents
Introduction
The majority of marine debris is thought to be mainly composed by or originated from plastic litter, such as plastic bags and containers, bottle caps, lost or abandonned fishing nets and lines, styrofoam.
Where does it come from?
Estimates of plastic in the world’s oceans exceed 100 million tons. Though 20% comes from ocean sources like derelict fishing gear or ocean dumping, 80% comes from land-based activities, through wind-blown landifll waste, for example.
Impacts on marine life
What is the dimension of the problem?
The plastic dominates the marine debris not only due to its is not biodegradable and very little of it (less than 4%) is recycled. Because it is durable and light-weight, plastic debris travels over vast distances and accumulates on beaches and in the ocean. In the Central North Pacific Gyre, pieces of plastic outweigh surface zooplankton by a factor of 6 to 1.
See also
Internal Links
External Links
References
Please note that others may also have edited the contents of this article.
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