In the Pacific Ocean, between California and Hawaii, lies an enormous collection of floating debris known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Despite its name, this area is not a solid island of trash that you could walk on. Instead, it consists of tiny plastic particles spread across an area roughly twice the size of Texas, making it largely invisible from boats or airplanes.
The garbage patch formed because of rotating ocean currents called gyres. These circular currents act like a slow-moving whirlpool, gradually pulling floating debris toward the center. Plastic, which does not biodegrade like natural materials, accumulates over time. Scientists estimate that the patch contains approximately 80,000 tons of plastic, with new debris arriving daily.
Marine life suffers greatly from this pollution. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, and fish consume tiny plastic particles that enter the food chain. Researchers have found plastic in the stomachs of 90 percent of seabirds. The chemicals in plastic can also be toxic, affecting both ocean animals and potentially humans who eat seafood.
Cleaning up the garbage patch presents enormous challenges. Organizations like The Ocean Cleanup are developing innovative solutions, including floating barriers that collect plastic using ocean currents. However, preventing plastic from entering the ocean in the first place remains the most effective long-term solution.