Chloe Zhang
The Sargasso Sea, a region of the Atlantic Ocean, is one of five global ocean gyres that accumulate land-based plastic pollution due to circulating currents. Bounded by four currents, the sea is defined by the North Atlantic Gyre, which creates a low whirlpool effect, concentrating floating objects towards its centre. In 1972, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists found bits of plastic, apparently industrial refuse, floating in the Sargasso Sea while towing nets through the region to gather marine samples. More recently, Greenpeace scientists have found similar or greater concentrations of plastic in the Sargasso Sea compared to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Sargasso Sea, a vast portion of the western half of the North Atlantic |
| Plastic concentration | 3500 pieces and 290 grams per square kilometer |
| Plastic size | 0.25 to 0.5 centimeters in diameter |
| Plastic shape | Pellets, spheres, chunks, shards, fragments |
| Plastic origin | Single-use plastic bottles and plastic packaging |
| Plastic impact | Provides a surface for the attachment of diatoms, hydroids, and bacteria |
| Plastic consequences | Potential source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in marine organisms |
| Plastic mitigation | Global Ocean Treaty, protected ocean sanctuaries |
Explore related products
![A Plastic Ocean [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Kg3BhP64L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- The currents of the North Atlantic gyre carry plastic pollution into the Sargasso Sea
- Plastic particles in the sea average 3500 pieces and 290 grams per square kilometre
- Plastic in the sea is often in pellet form, with a diameter of 0.25 to 0.5 centimetres
- The plastic provides a surface for the attachment of diatoms, bacteria and hydroids
- The plastic pollution in the Sargasso Sea originates from single-use plastic bottles and packaging
The currents of the North Atlantic gyre carry plastic pollution into the Sargasso Sea
The plastic pollution in the Sargasso Sea is thought to originate from single-use plastic bottles and plastic packaging, as well as trash from countries that border the Atlantic, from the west coast of Africa to the east coast of the US. The plastic breaks up into microplastics during its long journey, ending up in the gills and stomachs of aquatic animals.
In one sample, scientists found almost 1,300 fragments of microplastic, which is higher than the levels found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Another study from the 1970s found 3,500 pieces of plastic per square kilometre, while a more recent study found an average of 3,500 pieces and 290 grams of plastic per square kilometre.
The plastic pollution in the Sargasso Sea is having a detrimental impact on the local ecosystem, which provides a habitat for hatchling sea turtles, baby fish, and hundreds of other marine animals. The plastic also provides a surface for the attachment of diatoms and hydroids, which can have unknown consequences.
How Oil Becomes Plastic: The Transformation Process
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic particles in the sea average 3500 pieces and 290 grams per square kilometre
The Sargasso Sea, a vast portion of the western half of the North Atlantic, is located in the middle of circular currents that create a low whirlpool effect, concentrating floating objects toward its centre.
In 1972, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists Drs E J Carpenter and K L Smith Jr found bits of plastic floating in the Atlantic Ocean's Sargasso Sea while towing nets through the region to gather marine samples. They reported that the plastic bits were spread over a huge area, perhaps several thousand square miles, at a density of more than 9,000 per square mile.
The plastic particles, in concentrations averaging 3500 pieces and 290 grams per square kilometre, are widespread in the western Sargasso Sea. Many of the fragments appear brittle, likely due to the loss of plasticizing ingredients that normally keep them pliable. The particles are surfaces for the attachment of diatoms and hydroids.
The increasing production of plastics, combined with current waste-disposal practices, will undoubtedly lead to increases in the concentration of these particles. Plastics could be a source of some of the polychlorinated biphenyls recently observed in oceanic organisms.
Crest Toothpaste: Plastic-Free or Plastic-Full?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic in the sea is often in pellet form, with a diameter of 0.25 to 0.5 centimetres
The Sargasso Sea, a portion of the western North Atlantic, is characterised by circular currents that create a whirlpool effect, concentrating floating objects towards its centre. This unique oceanic feature has contributed to the accumulation of plastic waste in the region, with plastic particles found at concentrations averaging 3500 pieces and 290 grams per square kilometre. Notably, many of these plastic pieces are in a pellet shape, measuring about 0.25 to 0.5 centimetres in diameter.
Plastic pellets, also known as "nurdles", are preproduction microplastics that are intentionally produced with diameters ranging from 1 to 5 millimetres. They are used as a raw material in plastic manufacturing. However, due to inadequate precautions and regulations, millions of plastic pellets escape into nearby waterways and, eventually, the ocean. This phenomenon is known as plastic pellet pollution.
The small size and lightweight nature of plastic pellets make them highly susceptible to spillage during transportation and production. They can easily enter aquatic ecosystems through storm drains and tributaries if not properly contained. Once in the ocean, plastic pellets can cause significant ecological damage. They are often ingested by marine organisms, leading to physiological harm by leaching plasticizers and carrying toxic chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
The presence of plastic pellets in the Sargasso Sea is a result of both accidental and intentional releases of pellets into the environment. Accidental spills can occur during maritime transportation, as evidenced by the 2012 Typhoon Vicente incident in Hong Kong, where containers carrying over 150 tonnes of plastic pellets were blown into the sea. Additionally, inadequate waste disposal practices and the increasing production of plastics contribute to the proliferation of plastic pellets in the Sargasso Sea and other marine environments.
To address the issue of plastic pellet pollution in the Sargasso Sea and beyond, legislative and voluntary initiatives have been proposed. For example, the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, introduced by Senator Tom Udall, aims to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets into the environment. Additionally, Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) is a voluntary initiative where companies implement best management practices to achieve zero pellet loss. While these efforts are a step in the right direction, more widespread adoption and regulatory action may be necessary to effectively combat plastic pellet pollution in our oceans.
Welding Plastic: Using a Lighter Safely and Effectively
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The plastic provides a surface for the attachment of diatoms, bacteria and hydroids
The Sargasso Sea, a vast portion of the western half of the North Atlantic, is located in the middle of circular currents that create a whirlpool effect, concentrating floating objects towards its centre. This unique feature means the sea has become a depository for plastic waste.
The plastic particles in the Sargasso Sea, which are widespread in concentrations of around 3500 pieces and 290 grams per square kilometre, provide a surface for the attachment of diatoms, bacteria, and hydroids. These organisms are tiny and marine, and the plastic particles act as a substrate for their colonisation. The plastic particles are often in a pellet shape, with diameters of 0.25 to 0.5 centimetres, and are brittle due to weathering and the loss of plasticising ingredients.
The presence of these organisms on plastic particles has potential ecological implications. For example, diatoms are photosynthetic organisms that contribute significantly to the marine food web and carbon cycling. Their presence on plastic particles may impact their ecological role and interactions with other organisms.
Furthermore, the increasing production of plastics and current waste disposal practices will likely lead to a rise in plastic particle concentrations in the Sargasso Sea. This increase in surface area for colonisation could result in a boost in the populations of diatoms, bacteria, and hydroids, potentially affecting the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem.
The plastic particles in the Sargasso Sea, therefore, not only highlight the issue of plastic pollution but also underscore the complex ecological interactions that occur in this unique marine environment.
Plastic Through Axles: Are They Worth the Hype?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The plastic pollution in the Sargasso Sea originates from single-use plastic bottles and packaging
The Sargasso Sea, a vast portion of the western half of the North Atlantic, is defined by the currents of the North Atlantic gyre, which create a whirlpool effect, concentrating floating objects towards its centre. This unique characteristic means the sea is one of five global ocean gyres that accumulate land-based plastic pollution due to circulating currents.
In 1972, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists Drs E.J. Carpenter and K.L. Smith Jr. reported finding bits of plastic, apparently industrial refuse, floating in the Atlantic Ocean's Sargasso Sea area while towing nets through the region to gather marine samples. They found plastic in a different form in the waters of Long Island Sound from Niantic Bay, near New London, Connecticut, to Buzzards Bay at Cape Cod. In these waters, the plastic was in perfect spheres ranging in size from one millimetre to three.
In 2019, Greenpeace scientists found "extreme" concentrations of microplastic pollution in the Sargasso Sea, with almost 1,300 fragments of microplastic in one sample—more than the levels found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Their analysis indicated that this pollution originates from single-use plastic bottles and plastic packaging.
The magnitude of plastic pollution in the Sargasso Sea is not visible from the surface. However, as one dives down, the reality becomes clear: glittering shards of broken-up pieces of plastic. Greenpeace Spain Plastics Campaigner and marine biologist Celia Ojeda said:
> "The beautiful deep blue waters out here look incredibly pure, but the manta trawls for microplastic we've been doing tell a different story. The samples we've gathered give us crucial data on the density of plastics on the surface of the sea."
Unlocking Doors: Plastic's Surprising Power
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Sargasso Sea is a region of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by four currents forming an ocean gyre. The circular currents create a whirlpool effect, concentrating floating objects towards the centre.
An ocean gyre is a system of ocean currents that circulate in a clockwise direction. The Sargasso Sea is one of five global ocean gyres that accumulate land-based plastic pollution due to these circulating currents.
In one sample, 1,298 fragments of microplastic were found, which is higher than the levels found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Another study from the 1970s found 3,500 pieces of plastic per square kilometre.
Plastic debris can absorb toxic chemicals from ocean pollution, potentially poisoning anything that eats it. Plastic pollution can also negatively impact marine life by entangling animals and plants and providing a surface for the attachment of bacteria and other organisms.
Greenpeace has been conducting research and expeditions to the Sargasso Sea to document the impact of plastic pollution and push for a Global Oceans Treaty to protect this vulnerable ecosystem.
