Samantha Tran
Professor Justin Brumit
ENGL 1301
04/21/2022
A Research Proposal on the Pacific Garbage Patch and its Effects
The primary goal of this research proposal is to get financing for studies into the environmental and marine effects of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It is possible for plastic waste from the ocean surface to accumulate in the most remote parts of the world’s oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a significant ocean plastic accumulation zone located in the subtropical waters between the states of California and Hawaii (GPGP). The “plastisphere” is becoming a bigger and bigger concern, as documented in this report, which explores the environmental consequences of the expanding waste patches. In this study, some data on the distribution of garbage patches in the world’s oceans are shown, as well as some forecasts on future growth, which is linked to anticipated increases in plastics manufacturing around the world. An important goal of the study is establishing whether or not growing rubbish patches are endangering marine life and the ecosystem. Plastic waste management must improve in order to prevent it from reaching our oceans, as well concerted efforts to collect and clean up the oceans, which may include new technological solutions(Lebreton, pp. 1-15).
Research Question
What are the effects of the pacific garbage patch on marine life and the environment?
Research Objective
The main objective of the research will be to look at the danger and effects that the pacific garbage patch imposes on the environment and marine life.
Literature review
Marine life is being harmed by the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other forms of plastic pollution. There are an estimated 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals harmed annually. In the case of turtles, for example, they often confuse plastic bags for jellyfish. Dolphins, porpoises, and whales can be snared and killed by discarded fishing lines, nets, and equipment. Humans are not immune to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch’s risks. There are microplastics discovered in nearly half the world’s most important species of fish. As a result, we may end up consuming our own garbage. Despite the fact that most of the microplastics discovered in fish are concentrated in the digestive tract, the long-term consequences are uncertain. The breakdown of microplastics into nano plastics occurs as they degrade further. It is possible for nano plastics to enter the muscle tissues of fish, which we do consume. Potential health risks have been raised if these polymers make their way into our food supply(Huang, pp. 95-117).
Methods
Primary data will come from samples gathered with tiny sea surface trawls originally designed to collect neustonic plankton27, while secondary data will come from previously conducted studies and other data. Both types of data will be used in this study to supplement the primary data. Smaller and bigger plastic objects, including bottles, buoys, and fishing nets, could be undercounted because of their narrow aperture and limited coverage area. So that they may determine whether or not plastic and waste have any effect on marine life, one research team21 will gather data through net tows and vessel-based visual sighting surveys as well as data on a variety of marine animals, including fish, from the designated area.
Conclusion
As a serious environmental issue, garbage patches have far-reaching consequences for marine wildlife and flora, but also for our planet’s landforms. As a result, it is imperative that a coordinated effort is launched to solve the issue of collecting them and cleaning the oceans. As a result, greater land-based waste management is needed to prevent plastic garbage from reaching the oceans in the first place. It’s also necessary to evaluate and deploy new methods for the collection and processing of marine microplastics, which necessitate the mobilization of significant funds to meet the accompanying expenditures(Pyrek, pp. 268-270).
Works Cited
Huang, Michelle N. “Ecologies of entanglement in the great pacific garbage patch.” Journal of Asian American Studies 20.1 (2017): 95-117.
Lebreton, Laurent, et al. “Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly accumulating plastic.” Scientific Reports 8.1 (2018): 1-15.
Pyrek, Cathy. “Plastic paradise: The great Pacific garbage patch.” (2016): 268-270.