Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with over 10 million tons of plastic exported into the oceans annually. Surface currents play a significant role in transporting plastic waste across the globe, contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution. These currents, driven by wind and tidal forces, carry plastic debris and microplastics over vast distances, leading to the formation of garbage patches in subtropical gyres. While submerged microplastics follow different routes, near-surface currents carry large amounts of microplastics towards the poles, impacting even the most remote regions. The movement of plastics by ocean currents has led to plastic pollution in protected areas and the accumulation of waste in certain regions, threatening marine life and ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Surface currents transport plastic by | Wind |
| Tidal currents | |
| Physical properties of water | |
| Stokes drift | |
| Tsushima Current | |
| Tsugaru and Soya Straits | |
| Subpolar front | |
| Subsurface ocean currents | |
| Global conveyor belt | |
| Norwegian Sea | |
| Gyres | |
| Subtropical gyres | |
| North Pacific Ocean | |
| South Pacific gyre | |
| Turbidity currents |
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What You'll Learn
The role of wind and waves in transporting plastic
Numerical models have been developed to simulate the oceanic transport processes of microplastics and mesoplastics. These models consider factors such as ocean currents, Stokes drift, and wave action. For example, in the Sea of Japan, the Tsushima Current moves microplastics and mesoplastics northeastward, while Stokes drift further transports these particles toward the Japanese coast during the winter.
In addition to wind and ocean currents, waves play a crucial role in plastic transport. Sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic waste into microplastics, which can spread throughout the water column and have been found in various locations worldwide, including Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench. Waves and currents can carry plastic waste into remote regions, such as the polar regions and the Antarctic.
The complex interaction between wind, waves, and ocean currents contributes to the widespread distribution of plastic pollution. While wind can push plastic particles deeper into the ocean, waves can break down plastic waste into smaller fragments, increasing their mobility and reach. This dynamic interplay between wind and waves influences the transport and accumulation of plastic debris in our oceans, making it a challenging issue to address.
To effectively tackle plastic pollution, it is essential to focus on prevention rather than retrieval. This involves improving waste management systems, promoting recycling, and reducing the production and use of single-use plastics. By addressing the problem at its source, we can minimize the impact of wind and waves in transporting plastic and mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution on our oceans and the environment.
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How plastic travels from land to ocean
Plastic is the most common form of marine debris, and it can enter the ocean in many ways. The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based, with 80% of plastic in the ocean originating on land. Even if you live far from the coast, the plastic you throw away could still reach the sea.
One way plastic travels from land to ocean is through rainwater and wind, which carry plastic waste into streams, rivers, and drains, which eventually lead to the ocean. Plastic litter can be blown into rivers and streams, and it can also be washed out through storm drains from landfill sites, finding its way into nearby rivers and, ultimately, the sea. Lightweight plastics, such as LDPE (low-density polyethylene) and packaging bags, are particularly prone to being carried away by the wind.
Improper waste disposal is another significant contributor to plastic in the ocean. This includes littering, direct disposal of garbage into oceans, rivers, and beaches, and illegal dumping of waste. Many vacationers at coastal beaches leave behind plastic water bottles and food packaging bags in the sand, which then directly make their way into the ocean. Globally, nearly 400 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every year, and only about 9% is recycled. This means that most of the waste ends up being dumped, incinerated, or discarded in the environment.
Once in the ocean, plastic never fully biodegrades or decomposes. It breaks down into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and become incredibly damaging to sea life and our health. Microplastics can also absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, later releasing them in the ocean. Ocean currents are the main force that carries plastic waste across the world, and they can carry debris to almost anywhere, including the bottom of the Mariana Trench or Antarctica. There are five major areas in the ocean where different currents meet, called gyres, and these are home to large garbage patches. The largest of these gyres is in the North Pacific Ocean, which has the world's highest concentration of microplastics.
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The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with oceans bearing the brunt of this crisis. Each year, an estimated eight to 23 million metric tonnes of plastic waste enter marine environments, severely impacting marine ecosystems and causing havoc on marine life.
Ocean currents are the primary force carrying plastic waste across the globe. These currents are created by various factors, including tidal movements, wind, and the physical properties of water. The circular movement of currents, known as the "global conveyor belt," starts in the cold waters of the Norwegian Sea and forms five major areas called gyres. These gyres are home to large garbage patches, where swirling waters trap debris of various sizes, extending from the surface down to the ocean floor. The largest gyre is in the North Pacific Ocean, which has the highest concentration of microplastics, primarily supplied by densely populated East Asian countries.
The persistence of plastics, which can take hundreds of years to degrade, exacerbates the long-term environmental impact. Microplastics, originating from the breakdown of larger plastic debris and products like cosmetics and synthetic clothing, pose a particular threat. These tiny particles can be ingested by marine animals, leading to internal injuries, intestinal blockages, starvation, and death. Marine species also face entanglement risks from plastic waste like fishing nets and six-pack rings.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond marine life to human health and the delicate balance of aquatic environments. Plastics infiltrate our water, soil, and food, disrupting the food chain and posing risks to human consumption. The far-reaching consequences of plastic pollution on biodiversity and human well-being highlight the urgency of addressing this global crisis.
To mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes reducing plastic production and consumption, improving waste management practices, and undertaking clean-up initiatives. By tackling the problem at its source and through collective action, we can protect our oceans and ensure a healthier environment for future generations.
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The global conveyor belt of currents
The conveyor belt begins in the North Atlantic, where surface water is chilled by arctic temperatures and becomes denser due to the increased salinity when sea ice forms, leaving salt behind in the water. This dense water then sinks towards the ocean bottom, and surface water moves in to replace it, creating a current. The current moves southwards between the continents, past the equator, and down towards the southern tips of Africa and South America. As it circles Antarctica, the current splits into two sections that turn northward. One section becomes part of the North Atlantic Deep Water, while the other supplies heat to the Southern Ocean.
The thermohaline circulation plays a crucial role in regulating the amount of sea ice in polar regions by transporting energy in the form of heat and mass as dissolved solids and gases. The state of this circulation has a significant impact on the Earth's climate. For example, a decline in the AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation) would lead to an acceleration of sea level rise along the US East Coast.
The global conveyor belt is also an essential component of the global ocean nutrient and carbon dioxide cycles. As warm surface waters are depleted of nutrients and carbon dioxide, they are enriched again as they travel through the conveyor belt as deep or bottom layers.
The movement of plastic in the oceans is influenced by this global conveyor belt of currents. Floating plastic debris tends to accumulate in subtropical gyres, known as garbage patches, while submerged microplastics are distributed along different routes, reaching even remote polar regions.
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The difference between floating plastic and submerged microplastic routes
Floating plastics, driven by surface currents, tend to accumulate in subtropical gyres, forming garbage patches. These swirling currents trap debris, creating vast areas of plastic pollution. The largest garbage patch is in the North Pacific Ocean, fueled by waste from densely populated East Asian countries. On the other hand, submerged microplastics, which are smaller than 5 mm in size, follow different pathways due to distinct dynamics. Turbulent mixing, biofouling, and decreasing particle size cause many microplastics to sink, and they are distributed by subsurface ocean currents.
Modeling and simulations have revealed that submerged microplastics move along unique routes compared to floating plastics. For instance, in the polar regions, floating particles tend to accumulate in subtropical gyres, while particles at a fixed depth of 120 meters are still prevalent throughout these regions. This suggests that near-surface currents carry microplastics from subtropical and subpolar regions toward the poles, explaining the presence of microplastics in remote polar regions.
Furthermore, in the Sea of Japan, the Tsushima Current plays a significant role in transporting micro- and mesoplastics. Stokes drift, influenced by wind, further contributes to the movement of these plastics. During winter, Stokes drift drives mesoplastics toward the Japanese coast and also carries micro- and mesoplastics into the open ocean through the Tsugaru and Soya straits.
The distinct routes of floating plastic and submerged microplastics have critical implications for the environment and ecosystems. Floating plastics in garbage patches pose threats to marine life, while the slow degradation of submerged microplastics allows them to spread throughout the ecosystem, impacting aquatic organisms and even reaching our water, soil, and food. Understanding these differences is essential for addressing the global issue of plastic pollution and mitigating its harmful effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Surface currents are created by wind, which is responsible for carrying plastic waste across the world. In addition, tidal currents are created by the ebb and flow of the tides at the beach.
Surface currents can carry plastic waste over long distances, contributing to plastic pollution in the oceans. This waste can include microplastics, which are small plastic particles that do not fully degrade and can be harmful to the environment and human health.
Surface currents can cause plastic waste to accumulate in certain areas, such as subtropical gyres (garbage patches), where the swirling waters trap debris. These garbage patches can extend vertically from the surface down to the ocean floor.
