Have you heard of The big garbage islands? If not, the term may miss you, but if you think it is not surprising if we take into account the amount of waste we pour daily into the seas and oceans. More than 35 years ago, it is being studied, through buoys that collect data, the amount of contamination in the oceans, something that affects us all equally, since these depends much on the planet and even the climate itself throughout the globe. Some years ago, scientists saw that garbage islands were formed in certain parts of the oceans, especially with plastics, which are one of the most difficult materials to degrade.
If you want to learn more about this topic, you have arrived at the indicated place. In Ecology Verde is an issue that worries us and we want to inform well to raise awareness. Therefore, in this article we comment What are the plastic islands and how they formas well as what consequences they have and what can we do to solve it.
What are the plastic islands and what are their causes
The plastic islands are giant plastic groups in the oceans. From afar you can see an Enrome spot on the surface of the water, but you can check each bag, container or piece of plastic that form it.
Are Large marine garbage stains They are, without a doubt, Facity of the human beingbecause we are the only ones that we consume this material and then we pour it into the oceans, directly or indirectly pulling them to the inadequate landfills or in areas where the waters of the rivers, sooner or later, drag them to the seas and oceans.
It is a great environmental problem, because for all it is known since these materials contaminate a lot and that are one of the materials that take the most to degrade. Therefore, they have serious consequences on the planet, as we will see later. But, first, we will know better some examples of the causes of this problem.
We leave you this other video about the Marine pollution So you can get an idea of the causes and consequences you have.
Causes of the plastic islands in the oceans
Some of the causes of the plastic islands in the oceans, created from the accumulation of marine garbage, are:
- Do not recycle properly
- Illegal dumps
- Airplanes that oceans fly over
- Ships of all kinds
- Dirt on beaches
- Rivers with contaminated water that flow into the seas and oceans.
- Strong winds that drag garbage to water.
As we can see, some can control them if we get to it because they depend on us, but others, such as strong winds, are no longer under our control. Once we have already seen what are the causes of the plastic islands, we will see how they form.
How the plastic islands are formed
There are those who ask How the first island of garbage was formedsince there really are not only plastics but they are the vast majority of the waste deposited there. In addition, there are those who believe that there is only one because one in particular has announced the entire world, becoming a viral issue, but in reality there are several.
As we have already mentioned, it is a great Waste groupingmainly of plastic origin, which accumulate in the ocean waters until created the sea garbage. The reason that they end here is that everything we pour, even on the ground or in the rivers, ends up going down to the seas and oceans. In addition, there are sea and ocean currents which are the ones that, with the help of the wind, move the large amounts of garbage and regroup them in areas of swirls or vortices or, in areas where the currents are reduced.
For example, in The South Pacific Ocean We found one of the largest garbage islands today, because it can be seen floating from afar, and was discovered in 2011. Another is also known North Atlantic garbage stainwhich was discovered in 2009.
How many plastic islands are there
In 2016 they were recorded 5 large plastic islands on the planet. However, there are all sizes and in all oceans and seas, so we can say that there are thousands of them. The large plastic islands mentioned at the beginning are:
- Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Pacific plastic island.
- Indian Ocean Garbage Patch: Plastic Island of the Indian Ocean.
- North Atlantic Garbage Patch: Atlantic Ocean Island.
- South Pacific Garbage Patch: South Pacific Island.
- South Atlantic Garbage Patch: South Pacific Island.
The difference is undoubtedly the size and that Many of them are temporary In these areas, because they move by moving through the ocean currents and, most end up being part of the greats.
Currently, we can say that larger plastic island that exists is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), which is halfway between Hawaii and California. In fact, this plastic island measures the same as Spain, France and Germany, that is, 1.6 million kilometers2. In it, 1.2 tons of sea garbage have been counted.
Consequences of the plastic islands
The islands of plastics and garbage are really a danger to the entire planet. There will be those who believe that being far from these does not affect the problem on a personal level, but it does. Among the main consequences of the garbage islands we find:
- Deaths millions of animals a year.
- Species animals and vegetables in Danger of extinction.
- Water pollution: In which we then bathe or use in some way.
- Pollution of the atmosphere.
- CLIMATE CHANGES: For example, it is closely related to climate change.
- Difficulties to find food at sea: We talk about poorly developed populations and who are fishermen peoples who are affected by this environmental problem.
What to do to solve the problem of the plastic islands
For scientists who study the problem and for the relevant authorities, it really turns out difficult to track all spills of sea garbage to reach its origin, since many are accidental or for little information on the subject and others are illegal spills.
Nevertheless, On a personal level we can do a lot To improve this problem, especially if we add what each one can do, because the more involved the effect will be. These are advice of possible solutions for the plastic and garbage islands:
- Recycle waste: How many more, better, either in containers or at clean points or, failing that, reuse.
- Support associations that are dedicated to this end.
- Help spread the problem and raise awareness.
- Make volunteers: Water and beaches cleaning, as waste is removed and properly recycled or managed.
- Report infractions: either of some that you have seen or believe that they will be carried out.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are the plastic islands and how they formwe recommend that you enter our category of other ecology.
