Debris found in any region of the ocean can easily be ingested by marine species causing choking, starvation, and other impairments. What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? The "garbage patch" is a popular name for concentrations of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean.
Whether a description of a keystone species or the impact of the Pacific garbage patch, these articles provide insight into a breadth of important issues facing our world today, including the environment, civic engagement, and history. Plastic is ubiquitous in our everyday lives. Some plastics we can reuse or recycle—and many play important roles in areas like medicine and public safety—but other items, such as straws, are designed for only one use.
In fact, more than 40 percent of plastic is used only once before it is thrown away, where it lingers in the environment for a long, long time.
It often breaks down into smaller and smaller particles, called microplastics, which can be ingested by both animals and people. Fortunately, there are things we can do to help—like stop using plastic bags, straws, and bottles, recycling when we can, and disposing of waste properly.
Use these classroom resources to teach about ocean plastics and check back for more coming later this year! Use this idea and suggested resources to build the perfect lesson or activity on plastic pollution and ocean circulation for your classroom. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students.
Skip to content. Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google Classroom. Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a soupy collection of marine debris—mostly plastics. Worldwide Garbage Patches. The Atlantic and Indian Oceans both have trash vortexes. Even shipping routes in smaller bodies of water, such as the North Sea, are developing garbage patches. The following are just a few of the strange items that have washed up on shores: In , five shipping containers of Nike sneakers and work boots were lost to the Pacific in a storm.
People in Washington and Oregon snatched up the shoes on shore, holding swap meets to find matched pairs to wear or sell. In , rubber duckies floated in the Pacific when a ship lost tens of thousands of bathtub toys.
The ducks were accompanied by turtles, beavers, and frogs. In , a ship lost 34, pieces of hockey gear, including gloves, chest protectors, and shin guards. Emerging Explorer. Also called a food cycle. Great Pacific Garbage Patch. West Coast. Pacific coast of the United States, usually excluding Alaska. Media Credits The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit.
Media If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Text Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Interactives Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Related Resources. The proliferation of plastics on land along with more frequent and intense coastal storms because of climate change could send more waste into the ocean, creating additional habitat.
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Search Search. As the effects of plastic pollution grow, these questions are becoming more pressing, Centurioni said. The amount of plastic pollution in the ocean could triple by , according to a report. If no action is taken to curb plastic pollution, the amount of plastic flowing into the ocean will rise from 11 million tons to 29 million tons in that time, leaving a cumulative million tons in the sea. The U. Contact News Now reporter Christine Fernando at cfernando usatoday.
A giant patch of garbage in the ocean is home to a thriving new community. Scientists call it a 'floating plastic habitat. Show Caption.
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