We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Persistency and Surface Convergence Evidenced by Two Maker Buoys in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Summary
Researchers tracked two drifting buoys released in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 2019 and compared their trajectories to circulation divergence fields, Lagrangian plastic dispersal models, and sea-level anomalies, demonstrating that persistent negative velocity divergence and elevated modelled plastic surface density coincide with surface convergence zones that concentrate floating debris.
The accumulation of plastic debris on land and coastlines and in waterways and garbage patches is one of the greatest ecological concerns of the 21st century. In that context, the sources and pathways of plastic marine debris (PMD) have been increasingly studied in the past ten years. The purpose of this communication was to analyze, thanks to the tracks of two drifting buoys released in May–June 2019 in the North-East Pacific, two features encountered within the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP): a surface convergence, which could lead to the formation of plastic hotspots, and the persistency of the floating material in this area of the ocean. The evolution of the distance between the buoys was compared with the local circulation field divergence, a Lagrangian plastic dispersal model and sea-level anomalies (SLAs). These analyses highlighted the link between the converging behavior of the drifters and a persistent negative velocity divergence as well as a higher than average-encountered modelled plastic surface density (MPSD). The persistence of the material within the GPGP was observed thanks to the trajectory of the longest persisting drifter in comparison with the trajectory of the GPGP center and extent.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Role of Indian Ocean Dynamics on Accumulation of Buoyant Debris
Researchers used ocean circulation modeling to investigate the role of Indian Ocean dynamics in accumulating buoyant marine plastic debris, examining how Ekman convergence and regional current patterns shape the distribution of floating debris in the Indian Ocean subtropical gyre.
Pathways of marine debris derived from trajectories of Lagrangian drifters
Researchers applied a probabilistic model to global satellite-tracked ocean drifter trajectories to map marine debris pathways, identifying five subtropical convergence zones maintained by Ekman currents where floating debris — including microplastics — preferentially accumulates, confirming predictions with direct ocean surface measurements.
Comparing models and observations of the surface accumulation zone of floating plastic in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre
This study compared ocean circulation models to observational data on where floating plastic accumulates in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. Improving model accuracy is important for predicting plastic concentration zones and designing effective ocean cleanup strategies.
Distribution of Surface Plastic Debris in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from an 11-Year Data Set
Analysis of over 2,500 plankton net tows in the eastern Pacific Ocean from 2001 to 2012 documented a persistent plastic accumulation zone in the North Pacific subtropical gyre corresponding to the predicted convergence zone of ocean currents. The 11-year dataset reveals the long-term stability of this "garbage patch" and its distinct seasonal and interannual variability.
Influence of Near‐Surface Currents on the Global Dispersal of Marine Microplastic
An ocean circulation model incorporating biological and physical processes found that near-surface currents, including wind-driven surface drift and wave-induced mixing, play a major role in dispersing buoyant microplastics globally, with plastic accumulating preferentially in subtropical convergence zones. The model improves understanding of how ocean physics shapes global microplastic distribution patterns.