Sofia Martinez
Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, similar to slow-moving whirlpools. They are located in the sub-tropical zones, just above and below the equator. There are five ocean gyres: the North Pacific gyre, the Indian Ocean gyre, the South Pacific gyre, the South Atlantic gyre, and the North Atlantic gyre. These gyres are characterized by low primary productivity in the surface ocean, meaning they have low levels of organic material and slow sedimentation rates. Due to the Coriolis effect, the currents in the Northern Hemisphere flow in a clockwise direction, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they flow counter-clockwise. The currents cause plastic to accumulate in the center of the gyres, forming “garbage patches” of concentrated marine debris. The most famous example is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Gyre, which is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean. These patches pose health risks to marine animals, fish, and seabirds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, like slow-moving whirlpools. |
| Number of Gyres | There are five ocean gyres: 1) North Pacific gyre; 2) Indian Ocean gyre; 3) South Pacific gyre; 4) South Atlantic gyre; and 5) North Atlantic gyre. |
| Plastic Deposition | Gyres tend to collect plastic debris, leading to the formation of "garbage patches". |
| Examples | The Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Gyre is the most well-known example of a gyre with significant plastic deposition. Other garbage patches include the South Pacific Garbage Patch and areas in the North Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans. |
| Plastic Sources | Plastics in gyres come from a variety of sources, including local and distant sources, atmospheric deposition, and offshore fishing activities. |
| Plastic Characteristics | The plastic in gyres ranges from larger items like bags and bottles to tiny microplastics that are difficult to see with the naked eye. |
| Environmental Impact | The plastic in gyres poses health risks to marine animals, fish, and seabirds. It also affects physical and biological processes, including planetary cycles. |
| Solutions | International policies and agreements aimed at reducing plastic emissions and enhancing recycling rates are necessary to address the issue of plastic deposition in gyres. |
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What You'll Learn
- Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, like whirlpools
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic in the ocean
- The atmosphere is a transport pathway for microplastics to enter the ocean
- The Coriolis effect causes currents in the Northern Hemisphere to turn clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere, counter-clockwise
- International policies are needed to reduce plastic emissions, with countries agreeing to defined reduction targets
Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, like whirlpools
Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, like slow-moving whirlpools. They are characterised by low primary productivity in the surface ocean and are located in the sub-tropical zones, just above and below the equator. There are five ocean gyres: the North Pacific gyre, the Indian Ocean gyre, the South Pacific gyre, the South Atlantic gyre, and the North Atlantic gyre. These gyres are known for their tendency to accumulate plastic waste, with the most famous example being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located in the North Pacific Gyre. This patch is made up of tiny microplastics, akin to a peppery soup, with scattered larger items such as fishing gear.
The term "plastic soup" is used to describe the pollution caused by plastics in the ocean, from plastic bags floating near the surface to plastic resting on the seafloor. The plastic is collected in the five gyres, with the currents acting as the main transport mechanism for the spread of floating plastic. The Coriolis effect causes the gyre currents to flow in different directions, with the currents in the Northern Hemisphere turning clockwise and those in the Southern Hemisphere turning counter-clockwise. This circular motion gradually carries plastic to the centre of the gyre, where it accumulates and remains due to some of it being buoyant.
The concentration of plastic in the centre of a gyre is significantly higher than in other areas of the ocean, with estimates of 10 kg per square kilometre. This has led to the misconception of "plastic islands," which are not accurate representations of the true nature of the garbage patches. Instead, the plastic is often tiny and mixed throughout the water column, making it hard to see even when sailing through the middle of a patch. The plastic in these patches comes from a variety of sources, including manufactured microplastics like microbeads in face wash and larger items such as plastic bags, bottles, and toys.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not the only garbage patch in the ocean, and researchers have discovered two more areas of concentrated marine debris in the South Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic. These patches pose health risks to marine animals, fish, and seabirds. The formation of these patches is influenced by the atmospheric deposition of plastic particles, with larger particles from local sources deposited during wet events and smaller particles from distant sources deposited during dry events. Additionally, currents provide transport pathways for plastics once they enter the ocean, contributing to the accumulation in the garbage patches.
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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic in the ocean
Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, similar to slow-moving whirlpools. They are known for their tendency to accumulate trash, particularly plastic. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Gyre, is the most infamous example of this.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch was discovered by a racing boat captain named Charles Moore, who noticed the trash vortex while sailing from Hawaii to California. The patch is actually comprised of two separate patches: the Western Garbage Patch, located near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California. These areas of spinning debris are linked by the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone, located north of Hawaii.
The amount of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly increasing due to its connection to substantial ocean plastic sources in Asia through the Kuroshio Extension (KE) current system. As plastic enters the gyre, it is unlikely to leave until it degrades into smaller microplastics under the effects of the sun, waves, and marine life. This process of photodegradation means that plastic does not biodegrade but instead breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch poses a significant threat to marine life. Animals migrating through or inhabiting this area are likely consuming plastic, which can contain toxic chemicals. For example, sea turtles and albatross chicks from the region have been found to have a significant percentage of their diet composed of ocean plastics. Additionally, fishing nets, which make up a large portion of the mass in the patch, can entangle and harm marine animals.
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The atmosphere is a transport pathway for microplastics to enter the ocean
Plastic debris in the ocean comes from a variety of sources, including larger plastic debris that degrades into smaller pieces, microbeads from health and beauty products, and plastic pellets. Plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our ocean and Great Lakes.
The ocean is a major reservoir of microplastics, and the atmosphere is a transport pathway for microplastics to enter the ocean. Recent studies have shown that the bursting bubbles formed from breaking waves at the ocean's surface can launch tiny bits of plastic into the atmosphere after they burst. The researchers from Princeton and Cornell University projected that the ocean might be emitting around 100,000 metric tons of microplastics each year. The high frequency of breaking waves means that each piece of plastic that remains at the surface will likely be ejected in a drop. Once they leave the ocean's surface, surface winds can transport microplastics high into the atmosphere and carry them across long distances.
The ocean's role in emitting microplastics into the atmosphere adds to the growing body of knowledge about plastic pollution and its impact on the environment. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located within the North Pacific Gyre, is the most well-known example of an ocean gyre's tendency to accumulate plastic trash. This garbage patch is an area of concentrated marine debris, primarily composed of tiny microplastics, with scattered larger items such as fishing gear.
In addition to the North Pacific Garbage Patch, researchers have discovered two more areas with similar characteristics: one in the South Pacific Ocean and the other in the North Atlantic. These garbage patches are dynamic and constantly changing, with microplastics swirling and mixing in the water column due to waves and wind. The South Pacific Garbage Patch, located within the South Pacific Gyre, is an area of increased levels of marine debris and plastic particle pollution. The South Pacific Gyre is part of the Earth's system of rotating ocean currents, spanning an area of 37 million square kilometres, or about 10% of the Earth's ocean surface.
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The Coriolis effect causes currents in the Northern Hemisphere to turn clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere, counter-clockwise
The Coriolis effect is a phenomenon that occurs due to the Earth's rotation on its axis. This rotation causes deflection in objects that are not firmly connected to the ground as they traverse long distances around the Earth. The impact of the Coriolis effect is more pronounced at high speeds or over long distances. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes deflection towards the right, resulting in clockwise currents, while in the Southern Hemisphere, deflection occurs towards the left, leading to counter-clockwise currents. This effect influences the movement of ocean currents, particularly within warm, high-pressure areas called gyres.
Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents that resemble slow-moving whirlpools. They are driven by the movement of wind over the water's surface, and the Coriolis effect plays a crucial role in shaping their spiralling patterns. The interaction between the Coriolis effect and the wind creates a spiralling wind pattern that contributes to the formation of hurricanes. The strength of the Coriolis effect determines the intensity of the wind, with stronger effects resulting in faster-spinning winds that gather additional energy, leading to more powerful hurricanes.
The Coriolis effect has a significant impact on the development of weather patterns, including cyclones and trade winds. In the Northern Hemisphere, fluids in high-pressure systems pass low-pressure systems to their right, resulting in counter-clockwise hurricane rotations. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes currents to bend to the left, leading to clockwise storm systems.
The Coriolis effect also influences the behaviour of fast-moving objects, such as airplanes and rockets, and has been observed in the trajectories of long-range artillery shells and missiles. Additionally, the Coriolis effect has been implicated in the global distribution of microplastics. Atmospheric deposition plays a role in the transport of microplastics, with smaller particles from distant sources being deposited during dry events and larger particles from local sources settling during wet events.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located within the North Pacific Gyre, is a well-known example of a gyre's tendency to accumulate trash, particularly plastic debris. Similar garbage patches have been discovered in the South Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic, highlighting the global impact of plastic pollution. These garbage patches are dynamic areas where debris, including microplastics, accumulates and moves with the ocean currents.
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International policies are needed to reduce plastic emissions, with countries agreeing to defined reduction targets
Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, similar to slow-moving whirlpools. They are known for their tendency to accumulate trash, particularly plastic debris. The most well-known example is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Gyre. This patch is an area of concentrated plastic marine debris, which poses health risks to marine animals, fish, and seabirds.
Plastic pollution has become an increasingly prominent issue over the last decade, with research and media attention bringing it to the global stage. The story of plastic pollution began in the central gyres, thousands of kilometres from land, and the first scientific findings of marine plastic debris were published in 1972. Today, plastic debris is found across all ocean basins, ecosystems, habitats, and food webs, including in seafood and sea salt.
To address this global issue, international policies are needed to reduce plastic emissions. The United Nations is considering a new international agreement focused on plastics in the environment, and there is a growing policy movement spanning multiple levels of government. Diverse international policies that work together are necessary to effectively reduce plastic emissions. Countries should agree to defined reduction targets and develop their own strategies to meet these targets, as a one-size-fits-all approach will not work.
For example, a country might agree to reduce 25% of its plastic emissions by 2025. To achieve this, they could implement a range of solutions, such as adopting container deposit schemes to enhance recycling rates, eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic items, improving waste collection and management infrastructure, and only marketing plastics that are recyclable and/or reusable in their regions. Policies that address large plastic debris will also help to reduce microplastic debris, but specific measures targeting microplastics are needed to ensure they are included in the adopted policy options.
Combining policy interventions has been projected to significantly reduce mismanaged plastic waste and related greenhouse gas emissions. Without intervention, plastic use and the amount of mismanaged plastic waste are expected to increase, contributing to pollution, environmental issues, and climate change. International policies with defined reduction targets are therefore crucial to addressing the global issue of plastic pollution and its impact on the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, similar to slow-moving whirlpools. There are five ocean gyres: the North Pacific gyre, the Indian Ocean gyre, the South Pacific gyre, the South Atlantic gyre, and the North Atlantic gyre. All of these gyres are located in the sub-tropical zones, just above and below the equator. The currents around these gyres are the main transport mechanism for the spread of floating plastic. Once these plastics enter the gyre, they are unlikely to leave until they degrade into smaller microplastics.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean. It is located in the North Pacific Gyre, between Hawaii and California. It covers an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers, twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch formed due to the Coriolis effect, which causes the currents in the Northern Hemisphere to turn in a clockwise direction and in the Southern Hemisphere to turn counter-clockwise. The water in the gyre flows towards the middle, where it sinks to the ocean floor. This circular motion gradually carries plastic to the center of the gyre.
