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Modern Encyclopedia Entry 1781738945

** The 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch' is a massive accumulation of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean, a pressing environmental issue that has garnered international attention and sparked widespread concern. **CONTENT:** ### Overview The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also known as the Pacific Trash Vortex, is a massive collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. This accumulation of plastic waste, including microplastics, bottles, bags, and other items, has been growing in size and severity since the 1980s. The patch is not a solid island of trash, but rather a vast area of ocean where the debris is dispersed and concentrated in a swirling vortex of currents. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a pressing environmental issue that has garnered international attention and sparked widespread concern. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not the only oceanic accumulation of marine debris, but it is the largest and most well-known. Similar patches exist in other oceans, including the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. However, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is particularly significant due to its massive size and the fact that it is located in a region of high marine biodiversity. ### History/Background The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is thought to have originated in the 1980s, when the world began to experience a significant increase in plastic production and waste. Plastic bags, bottles, and other items were not properly disposed of, and they ended up in the ocean, where they were carried by currents and winds into the North Pacific. The patch grew in size and severity over the years, with estimates suggesting that it now covers an area of over 700,000 square kilometers (270,000 square miles). The Great Pacific Garbage Patch was first identified in the early 1990s by a team of scientists led by Charles Moore, a sailor and environmentalist. Moore was sailing through the North Pacific when he noticed a large accumulation of debris in the water. He collected samples of the debris and sent them to a laboratory for analysis, where they were found to contain a high concentration of plastic particles. ### Key Information The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a complex and multifaceted issue, with a range of environmental, economic, and social implications. Some of the key facts and figures related to the patch include: * The patch is estimated to contain over 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic debris, weighing over 80,000 metric tons. * The patch is thought to be home to a range of marine life, including fish, birds, and other organisms that are ingesting the plastic debris. * The patch is a significant contributor to the problem of oceanic pollution, which is estimated to affect over 100 million marine animals each year. * The patch is also a major economic concern, with estimates suggesting that it could cost the global economy over $13 billion per year. ### Significance The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a pressing environmental issue that has significant implications for the health of our oceans and the planet as a whole. The patch is a symptom of a larger problem of plastic pollution, which is affecting oceans and marine life around the world. The patch is also a major economic concern, with estimates suggesting that it could cost the global economy over $13 billion per year. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to reduce plastic waste and prevent it from entering the ocean. This can be achieved through a range of measures, including increasing recycling rates, reducing plastic production, and implementing policies to prevent plastic waste from entering the ocean. **INFOBOX:** - Name: Great Pacific Garbage Patch - Type: Oceanic accumulation of marine debris - Date: 1980s - Location: North Pacific Ocean - Known For: Largest accumulation of marine debris in the world **TAGS:** ocean pollution, plastic waste, marine debris, Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Pacific Trash Vortex, environmental issue, economic concern, marine life, conservation.