The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (or Eastern Garbage Patch) is a region of the Pacific Ocean northeast of Hawaii where high concentrations of marine debris can be found
This debris includes easily visible large pieces of floating litter such as plastic bottles, along with vast quantities of easily-overlooked confetti-sized plastic particles suspended in the surface waters. The patch is estimated to be at least the size of Texas, with some estimates as great as the size of the continental United States. Several such patches exist in the various oceans across the globe. What is the most logical explanation for the existence of these patches?
A) The rotation of the planet causes marine debris to be pulled toward the Equator, where most of these patches are found.
B) There are several locations in the middle of the oceans where it is legal to dump wastes.
C) The patches are found along shipping lanes where cruise ships illegally dispose of their garbage by throwing it overboard.
D) Currents circulate plastics and other debris until they accumulate in areas where currents are more sluggish.
D
You might also like to view...
Surface waves are generated by unexpended body wave energy bouncing off Earth’s surface. Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Which one of the fogs listed below may be categorized as an evaporation fog?
A) radiation B) upslope C) advection D) steam
The upper part of the ocean into which sunlight penetrates is called the photic zone
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
The term periglacial refers to
A) areas permanently frozen ground not covered by glaciers. B) areas that are on top of a glacier. C) regions that are too warm for ground ice. D) process and effects that existed during the last ice age. E) regions which experience winter freezing and summer melt.