Indian Ocean garbage patch |04 July 2011
Due to oceanic currents, specifically gyres (circular patterns of currents) “garbage patches” develop.
The gyres' circular pattern draws in waste material from surrounding waters, while the currents prevent the escape of the material but do not prevent the relatively weaker force of wind-driven surface currents gradually moving floating debris toward the centre. Subsequently as more litter is discarded into our oceans so these patches grow.
There are five major oceanic gyres, all of which have formed “garbage patches”. The most widely known is The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (between Hawaii and California) and is reported to be approximately the size of Texas.
In 2010 The Indian Ocean Garbage Patch was discovered. The patch does not appear as a continuous debris field. The plastics in it break down to smaller and smaller particles but it does not totally disappear.
The plastic becomes small enough to be ingested by marine organisms that reside near the
It is not just these “garbage patches” that are an ecological hazards. Just one cigarette butt thrown into the sea can pollute the plankton in eight litres of water. Plankton is the foundation of the ocean’s food web.
We can all help to keep our oceans clean. Apart from always placing litter in a designated bin, one great thing you can be part of is a Beach Clean. Social Seychelles in partnership with Save our Seas Foundation and The Moorings, are holding a Beach Clean on Saturday morning July 9 at Anse Royale. Registration is from 9am at the District Administration. For more information visit:
www.socialseychelles.com/group/volunteeraction
Contributed by Save our Seas Foundation