The Pacific Garbage Gyre is composed of marine debris, the cause is mainly by cargo lost by ships. Much of the garbage (marine debris) would have been expected to just spread out into other oceans. The ocean gyre has a circular motion cause by winds that traps all of the debris making it impossible for it to spread. Therefore it is just trapped and is called what is now known as The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Dunn, Margery G. (Editor). (1989, 1993). "Exploring Your World: The Adventure of Geography." Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/capt_charles_moore_on_the_seas_of_plastic.html
ReplyDeleteYou might enjoy taking a look at this video.
This should be a fun project.
Dr. Kirk
Interesting, I didn't know this existed. Have any countries tried to clean it up?
ReplyDelete