garbage patch
Floating debris zone
A garbage patch is a vast accumulation of floating debris, particularly plastic, concentrated by ocean currents into a loosely defined region.
The most notorious is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch between Hawaii and California.
Despite the name, these aren't solid islands of trash but diffuse zones where plastic fragments and microplastics concentrate at higher densities than surrounding waters: The garbage patch contains more microplastics than visible debris.
Ocean bordering Europe
- IndianPerson from either continent
- SouthernOf the region below
- ArcticEarth's northernmost zone
- gyreCircular or spiral motion
vortex · currents · circulation · eddies · accumulation zone · marine debris · flotsam · jetsam
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- PETNuclear medicine imaging
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- nylonSynthetic textile polymer
plastic · polymer · non-biodegradable · photodegradation · fragmentation · persistent · synthetic · petrochemical
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- cleanupRestoration of order
- removalAct of taking away
- preventionStopping something before occurring
awareness · advocacy · conservation · research · monitoring · sampling · trawling · expeditions
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- fishing netsMesh for catching seafood
- bottle capsRemovable drink container seals
- styrofoamExpanded plastic foam material
- packagingProtective product enclosure
containers · ghost nets · rope · buoys · six-pack rings · straws · bags · film
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- ingestionConsuming into the body
- entanglementState of being intertwined
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- food chainEcological feeding hierarchy
marine life · seabirds · sea turtles · filter feeders · albatross · fish · zooplankton · toxic
Atlantic
Ocean bordering Europe
gyre · vortex · currents · circulation · eddies · accumulation zone · marine debris · flotsam · jetsam · sea surface
polyethylene
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- PETNuclear medicine imaging
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
nylon · plastic · polymer · non-biodegradable · photodegradation · fragmentation · persistent · synthetic · petrochemical · resin
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- cleanupRestoration of order
- removalAct of taking away
prevention · awareness · advocacy · conservation · research · monitoring · sampling · trawling · expeditions · documentation
microplastics
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- fishing netsMesh for catching seafood
- bottle capsRemovable drink container seals
- styrofoamExpanded plastic foam material
packaging · containers · ghost nets · rope · buoys · six-pack rings · straws · bags · film · foam
bioaccumulation
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- ingestionConsuming into the body
- entanglementState of being intertwined
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
food chain · marine life · seabirds · sea turtles · filter feeders · albatross · fish · zooplankton · toxic · habitat disruption
- water pollutionsewage, industrial waste, contaminants, algal bloom, toxic waste
- Dumpsitesdump, dumpsite, landfill, rubbish tip, sanitary landfill
garbage patchpristine waters
Naturally pure aquatic environments
marine sanctuary · protected waters · crystal-clear waters · blue zone · open ocean
garbage patchmarine reserve
Protected ocean habitat
coral reef · marine sanctuary · kelp forest · Great Barrier Reef · spawning ground
garbage, patch, patches, patched, patching, patchy, patchwork, patchiness