Eagle Claw Wolf Fang Sara Strasser, Ashley Mitchell, Tori Aldinger, Austin Johns, Anthony Parrott Global

Issues Paper 12/01/2013 S. Latta Global Issue: Plastic Ocean Pollution In 1988 an article published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States titled, The Quantitative Distribution and Characteristics of Neuston Plastic in the North Pacific Ocean, predicted the future formation of garbage patches in all of Earths oceans. This prediction was generated as a result of data and studies conducted by researchers in Alaska who had been examining the amount of neustonic plastic in the Pacific Ocean. These researchers noticed how much plastic was being detected in the ocean at that time and hypothesized that plastic trash would eventually wind up floating in the North Pacific Gyre. Soon researchers would look at all five major gyres in the world and find this data to be a global concern. A few short years after this prediction was made captain Charles Moore was returning from a trans-pacific journey when he decided to take a shortcut through the North Pacific Gyre. While cutting through this gyre captain Moore found plastic debris floating everywhere: bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, and fragments as he describes in his article Trashed: Across the Pacific Ocean, plastics, plastics everywhere. Captain Moore was so astounded and shocked by what he saw that he felt compelled to continue his excursions to the gyre and study its effects. Soon after discovering this trash island Captain Moore founded the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. This foundation focuses on raising public awareness of trash islands and works to build ideas on dealing with and solving this

damaging issue. The awareness that Captain Moore created has spawned a new generation of ocean pollution activist. These new activists are working towards prevention of plastic trash entering into the oceans, as well as working on solutions to clean up the existing garbage patches. Plastic trash has made its way to the ocean in a number of ways. It can happen as simply as being blown from beaches into ocean water; however, plastic trash can also reach the ocean by careless and deliberate acts of flushing plastic items down toilet bowls, and/or being swept into storm drainage systems. In addition, water treatment plants can be a factor in plastic debris making its way into the ocean. If there is unusually heavy rain flow there is likelihood that trash will pile up and end up in the oceans waves (Amaral 2003). It is also estimated that one-fifth of the plastic in the ocean is from trash falling off of ships (Fraser 2008). When trash gets into the ocean, currents sweep it to gyres, slow moving currents in the ocean that moving in a clockwise spiral (Silverman 1999). In the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, there are two garbage patches; the Eastern and the Western Pacific garbage patches. The Eastern Pacific garbage patch is located between California and Hawaii. The two garbage patches are collectively called the Great Pacific garbage patch and are connected by a 6000 mile long current (Silverman 1999). It was discovered in 1997 by a sailor named Charles Moore during a yacht race. Moore estimates the garbage patch to be more than twice the size of Texas (Fraser 2008). The Western Pacific garbage patch is between Japan and Hawaii and is about the same size as the Eastern Pacific garbage patch (Silverman 1999). The Great Pacific garbage patch, according to Charles Moore, is estimated to have over 100 million tons of plastic. Once the trash gets to the gyres, the

currents make it so the trash cannot leave, creating a giant toilet bowl with no drain (Fraser 2008). Ocean trash also known as marine debris has detrimental effects on marine life, impacts on the food chain, and serious social and economic ramifications. Over the last halfcentury, the surface of our planet has seen many extreme changes, of these changes the over abundance of plastic pollution has become tremendous. As previously discussed, plastics make their way to the oceans where they accumulate along coastlines, in garbage patches, and on the seabeds. According to the authors Leous and Parry, plastics comprise the majority of marine debris worldwide (2005, p. 259). Plastics are made of durable polymers that stand the test of time and do not disintegrate at a fast pace. Plastics remain either whole or are broken down into fragments through prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and through physical abrasion (Barnes 1993). These fragments come from such items as plastic bottles and containers. These fragments are dangerous to a number of marine species. Plastic bottle caps are frequently mistaken for food by marine animals. Once digested the caps cause blockages and eventually death. Once the animal dies and decomposes the bottle cap is returned into the environment creating a cycle of death (Leosus and Parry 2005). Animals not only ingest plastic many become entangled in plastic six pack rings and plastic shopping bags which can cause strangulation and drowning. Sea turtles often mistake plastic shopping bags for jellyfish and ingest them. Marine debris greatly impacts the quality of life of marine animals. According to Leous and Parry the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy reported that in 1997 at least 267 species have been affected by marine debris worldwide, including 86 % of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43 % percent of all marine mammal species ( 2005, p. 261).

Animals are not the only mammals affected by marine debris. Humans also are greatly impacted from plastic debris in oceans. Some plastic is treated with chemicals that when introduced to the marine environment produce toxic levels of these chemicals. Plastic fragments containing these toxic chemicals are then ingested by marine feeder fish transferring the chemicals up the food web and to human diets (Engler 12304). These same chemicals that are ingested by fish are also a cause for toxic chemicals emitted directly into the ocean causing an imbalance of chemicals in the ocean and negatively impacting the ecosystem. People can also become sick from plastic debris close to the shorelines. Plastic debris from disposable diapers, condoms, and tampon applicators can transmit gastrointestinal diseases to swimmers. Swimmers, scuba divers, and even boats have become entangled in plastic debris further adding to the problems of plastic debris in oceans. According to authors Leous and Parry, as providers of food, recreation and transportation to the global human community, the seas account for a significant portion of the worlds economic activity (2005, p. 257) Plastic debris has negatively impacted the economy of many countries. The unsightly images of plastic waste accumulating along shorelines greatly impacts tourism in certain areas and affects the economy. The cost of cleanup is also a costly venture. Ocean trash is an important global issue but to many cities/countries it is not an issue that is worth prioritizing due to limited resources and often over disagreements as to whose responsibility it is to clean up the ocean. Everyday plastic waste is discarded carelessly and in most cases results in plastic pollution within the ocean ecosystem. According to the authors Colette Wabnitz and Wallace Nichols plastic alone totals up to roughly ninety percent of trash floating on the

oceans surface, and nearly forty six thousand pieces of that trash can be found per square mile (2010, p. 4). The lasting effect of plastic pollution is cause for serious worry where the future of marine life is concerned and should be a significant eye opener for change. Without a solution to clean plastic from the ocean there will be a dramatic decline in marine life, possible species extinction, and a loss of jobs for a large number of individuals. Finding a solution for a major issue is not always simple, especially when the issue spreads across nearly seventy percent of Earths surface, but a solution is indeed necessary. Finding a fix for plastic pollution starts with people on land. There are a number of ways that making simple lifestyle changes can reduce the amounts of trash that makes its way to the ocean. In order to make a positive impact people need to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic. By implementing these three concepts individuals would be taking a step in the right direction for changing the future of the oceans and the lives within them. Wabnitz and Nichols point out a few ideas that could make a significant impact for plastic trash reduction: Avoiding plastic-bottled beverages, buying products with minimal or reusable packaging, seek out reusable shopping bags like those made from renewable sources, bring own containers for beverages and food items (2010, p.4).

References Leous, J. P., & Parry, N. B. (2005). Who is responsible for marine debris? The international politics of cleaning our oceans. Journal of International Affairs, 59(1), 257-268. Engler, R. E. (2012). The complex interaction between marine debris and toxic chemicals in the ocean. Environmental Science and Technology, 46, 12302-12315. Barnes, D. K., Galgani, F., Thompson, R. C., & Barlaz, M. (2009). Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments. Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 1985-1998 Amaral, Kimberly. (2003). Plastics in Our Oceans. Retrieved from http://www.whoi.edu/science/B/people/Kamaral/plasticsarticle.html Fraser, Stephen. (2008). What a Dump. New York: Scholastic Inc. Silverman, Jacob. (1999). Why is the worlds biggest landfill in the Pacific Ocean?. Retrieved from http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/greatpacific-garbage-patch.htm.