Where Does Plastic Accumulate In Our Ocean?

According to Our World in Data, the world now produces more than 450 million tonnes of plastic every year. That is a staggering amount of plastic that continues to rise, but have you ever wondered where all that plastic actually ends up once we throw it away?

While not every piece of plastic waste finds its way into our ocean, scientists estimate that around 8 million pieces of plastic enter our oceans every single day. (That’s the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck full of plastic into the sea every minute!)

And once plastic reaches the ocean, it doesn't simply disappear. Instead, it can accumulate in different areas, drift across the world's waterways, and threaten the animals that depend on these ecosystems to survive. Greenpeace reports that plastic pollution causes the loss of more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals annually.

So in this blog post, we'll explore where plastic accumulates in our oceans, how it gets there, and the impact it can have on marine life. From coastal beaches to massive ocean gyres and even the deep seafloor, you'll be surprised by just how far plastic pollution can travel.

Why Does Plastic Keep Accumulating

But before we talk about where plastic accumulates, it helps to understand why there is so much of it in the first place.

Plastic became incredibly popular for a simple reason: it is extremely durable, cheap, lightweight, waterproof, and relatively easy to manufacture. Companies can produce millions of affordable products for almost any purpose imaginable.

While this makes it useful for packaging, bottles, bags, and other everyday products, those qualities also means that plastic waste can remain in the environment for a very long time instead of naturally disappearing.

At the same time, we continue to produce enormous amounts of new plastic every year. Global plastic production has increased dramatically since the 1950s, from about 2 million tonnes in 1950 to more than 450 million tonnes today. (Much of this plastic is used once and then thrown away!)

Fun Fact: According to a 2020 study published by Nature, if every single animal on land and sea combined stepped on a scale, the weight of all the plastic produced and accumulating around the world would be about 2 times heavier!

And that's the problem. We keep adding new plastic to the world while much of the plastic we've already produced still remains in the environment.

Summary: Plastic keeps accumulating because we produce and throw away huge amounts of it, while plastic can remain in the environment for decades or even much longer. Instead of disappearing, plastic waste can travel and collect in different parts of our environment. (Let's take a look at where all of this plastic actually accumulates!)

Photo: © Aleksandr_Gromov via Getty Images

Plastic Accumulates In Freshwater Ecosystems

Before plastic reaches the ocean, it often travel through rivers, streams, lakes, storm drains, and other waterways. In fact, freshwater ecosystems can act as important pathways connecting plastic pollution on land to the sea.

Here's how it happens:

• Littering: Plastic waste left on streets, beaches, and other areas can be carried into nearby rivers and lakes.
• Stormwater Runoff: Heavy rains can also wash plastic debris from streets, landfills, and industrial areas into nearby waterways.
• Agricultural & Industrial Sources: Poorly managed waste and certain agricultural or industrial activities can allow plastic materials to enter waterways.

Fun Fact: According to the World Economic Forum, around 90% of all river-borne plastic that ends up in the ocean comes from just 10 rivers. (8 of them are in Asia: the Yangtze, Indus, Yellow, Hai He, Ganges, Pearl, Amur, Mekong, and 2 in Africa: the Nile and the Niger!)

Rivers are like roads for plastic waste to the ocean.

Once plastic enters these waterways, it can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles, eventually reaching the ocean. Along the way, plastic can become trapped along riverbanks, wetlands, floodplains, and river mouths, creating local accumulation zones.

Summary: Plastic pollution often begins in freshwater ecosystems before making its way into the ocean. Rivers act as highways, transporting waste from inland areas to coastal zones, where it accumulates and eventually spreads across the seas. (This journey can have a negative impact on fish and other aquatic animals!)

Photo: © richcarey via Getty Images

Plastic Accumulates In Coastal Areas

After traveling through rivers and other waterways, much of the plastic waste eventually reaches coastal areas. This is where some of the most visible plastic pollution can be found.

Beaches, shorelines, estuaries, mangroves, and other coastal environments can act like collection points for plastic carried by rivers, tides, waves, wind, and ocean currents. Instead of continuing farther out to sea, some plastic becomes trapped along the shoreline and begins to accumulate.

The factors that contribute to plastic accumulation in coastal areas include:

1. Rivers carry plastic toward the ocean.
2. Waves and tides move plastic toward shore.
3. Strong winds can blow lightweight plastic from land into the water.
4. Human activities, such as littering, contribute to plastic accumulation in coastal areas.

Developing coastal cities are particularly vulnerable to this issue due to increased plastic consumption and limited waste management systems.

Birds, turtles, and crabs often mistake plastic fragments for food or become entangled in larger debris, leading to injury or death. Additionally, microplastics trapped in sand can affect coastal ecosystems and even enter our food chain through shellfish and other marine life.

Summary: After traveling through rivers, lakes, and streams, the majority of ocean plastics are washed, buried, and resurfaced along our shorelines. These accumulations are often the final stop before plastics drift deeper into the ocean, making them one of the most noticeable and studied zones of plastic buildup.

Photo: © WorldAtlas via Internet

Plastic Accumulates In Ocean Gyres

While some plastic washes onto beaches and remains there. Other debris can be carried back into the water during storms, high tides, or strong waves. So, what happens to plastic after it moves away from the coastline?

The ocean currents eventually bringing plastic into one of the world's ocean gyres, which are large systems of rotating ocean currents. These currents can transport floating plastic and other marine debris across enormous distances.

One notable aspect of ocean gyres is their ability to trap and accumulate debris, including plastic waste. This is due to their circular flow, plastic debris and other floating materials tend to gather in the center of these gyres, forming large areas known as garbage patches.

But a garbage patch isn't a giant island of trash. Instead, it is an area where marine debris is more concentrated than in the surrounding ocean. Much of the plastic consists of small pieces that can be difficult to see, while winds and waves continuously move debris throughout the water.

Fun Fact: The most infamous of these is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California. It is an enormous area where plastic debris concentrates due to ocean currents, forming a large, floating garbage patch. (The patch is estimated to be twice the size of Texas!)

Apart from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, there are other garbage patches and accumulation zones worldwide. The Atlantic Ocean Garbage Patch, Indian Ocean Garbage Patch, South Pacific Garbage Patch, North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, and South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre are areas where plastic waste accumulates due to oceanic currents and winds.

Summary: Ocean gyres are large rotating currents that circulate around the world's oceans, and they have a unique ability to trap and accumulate debris, including plastic waste. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the most well-known example of an ocean gyre. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas.

Photo: © richcarey via Getty Images

Plastic Accumulates In The Seafloor

You might wonder, how does plastic end up in these places? Well, according to The Ocean Cleanup, more than half of plastic waste is less dense than water, meaning the remaining half will sink to the bottom of the seafloor.

Here are some of the factors that contribute to plastic accumulation in the seafloor:

1. Some types of plastic are just dense enough to sink.
2. Organisms can grow on floating plastic, increasing its weight and changing how it moves through the water.
3. Tiny plastic particles can attach to or mix with organic material (like dead plankton and feces), forming clumps that fall slowly to the ocean floor.
4. Ocean currents can also move plastic through the water and along the seabed.

This plastic mess is dangerous for the creatures that live down there. Animals that eat food from the seafloor might accidentally munch on these plastic pieces, which can take up space in the gut and digestive system, leading to reductions in feeding signals.

Additionally, animals can get tangled in the plastic mess too. (We'll talk more about this in the next section)

Summary: Plastic doesn't only float on the surface of the ocean. Some plastic can sink because of its density, while other pieces can become heavier through biofouling or interactions with organic material. Once plastic reaches the seafloor, it can accumulate in sediments and remain there for a long time.

Photo: © richcarey via Getty Images

The Impact Of Plastic Pollution On Marine Life

Now that we know where plastic can accumulate, let's talk about what happens when marine life encounters it.

According to The New York Times, some marine animals don't just accidentally eat plastic, but they actively seek it out. (This happens because plastic absorbs aquatic odors over time, making them smell remarkably similar to food for some fish and bird species!)

But the sad thing is that when these animals eat plastic instead of real food, they also get a dose of chemicals such as PCBs and heavy metals that the plastic absorbs from the environment.

Let's take a look at some of the marine creatures affected by plastic:

• Sea turtles: Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their prey. This can lead to the turtles becoming entangled in the bags and suffocating.
• Whales: Whales can ingest plastic debris, which can block their digestive systems and lead to starvation.
• Fish: Fish can also ingest plastic debris, which can harm their health and reproduction.

Plastic pollution in our oceans is causing big problems for marine life, disrupting the delicate balance of the marine food chain and posing a threat to endangered species.

So what can we do to help?

There are many things that you can do to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans. Here are a few ideas:

• Reducing Plastic Consumption: Choose reusable alternatives version for plastic bags, water bottles, and straws to reduce single-use plastic.
• Recycle Plastic Whenever Possible: Support recycling initiatives and dispose of plastic waste responsibly. This will help to keep plastic out of our oceans.
• Support Businesses That Are Committed To Reducing Plastic Pollution: This will send a message that there is a demand for sustainable products.
• Switching To Bamboo Toothbrush: Plastic toothbrushes are one of the top plastic pollutants in our ocean. About 5~23 billion plastic toothbrushes are being thrown away every year, and almost all of them are unrecyclable.

A single swap won't solve the ocean plastic problem. But when millions of people make changes, those small choices can add up to help reduce plastic pollution in our oceans and protect marine life.

Summary: Plastic pollution is hurting marine life in our oceans. Some animals are even mistaking plastic for food, while others are entangled in them. But we can help by using less plastic, recycling, and supporting sustainable products. Even switching to bamboo toothbrushes can make a huge difference over time!

Quick Takeaway

Plastic pollution doesn’t just drift aimlessly across the ocean, it tends to accumulate in specific areas due to ocean currents, wind patterns, and human activity. Scientists have identified three primary zones where most of the world’s marine plastic waste ends up:

• Coastal Areas: The majority of ocean plastics are washed, buried, and resurfaced along our shorelines.
• Ocean Gyres: These are large rotating currents that circulate around the world's oceans, and they have a unique ability to trap and accumulate debris, including plastic waste.
• The Seafloor: Plastic waste doesn't just float on the ocean's surface, it can also sink to the bottom of the seafloor.

While coastal areas, gyres, and the seafloor are the main accumulation zones, the truth is that no part of the marine environment is safe from plastic’s reach. Plastic pollution is a global issue that extends from our beaches to the ocean’s deepest depths!

My Personal Take: To me, the biggest lesson is that we can't simply throw something away and assume the problem ends there. Every piece of plastic we use has to go somewhere. That's why I believe we need to use less single-use plastic, choose reusable alternatives when possible, and force companies to keep up with our eco-friendly demand..

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Where Plastic Accumulate In Our Ocean:

Question #1: How does plastic waste get into our oceans?

Answer: Plastic waste can get into the ocean in a number of ways; it can be washed into the ocean from rivers, streams, and beaches. Or got blown into the ocean from the air. Also, incidents like improper disposal by people living nearby or shipping container spills can release large quantities of plastic products directly into marine environments.

Question #2: What are the five major ocean gyres?

Answer: The five major ocean gyres are the North Atlantic Gyre, South Atlantic Gyre, North Pacific Gyre, South Pacific Gyre, and the Indian Ocean Gyre. These gyres are large rotating currents that tend to collect plastic debris, as well as other materials in the center.

Question #3: What are the impacts of plastic accumulation in our ocean?

Answer: Plastic can pollute the marine environment by releasing harmful chemicals into the water. These chemicals can harm and contaminate marine life. And worst, animals can mistake plastic for food and eat it.

Question #4: How long does it take for plastic to decompose in the ocean?

Answer: Depending on the type of plastic and the marine environment conditions, such as oxygen levels, sunlight, or microbial activity, plastic materials can take anywhere from a few short years to thousands of years to decompose. For instance, a single-use plastic bag may take roughly 10 to 20 years to decompose in ocean waters, while a plastic bottle, especially those made from polyethylene terephthalate, can take approximately 450 years to decompose.

Question #5: Does all plastic float in the ocean?

Answer: No. Some plastic can float because they are less dense than seawater, while other types are dense enough to sink. Floating plastic can also become heavier over time as organisms grow on its surface, which can cause it to sink.