Rapid population growth and enormous urban and coastal developments have increased the anthropogenic pollution into the oceans. Human activities may responsible for the decline in biodiversity and productivity of marine ecosystems, resulting in the depletion of human marine food resources (Jenssen, 2003).
Furthermore, the marine environment is an important resource for human welfare and health and fortunately in recent years awareness of its intrinsic value has increased (Derraik, 2002). One particular type of threat to marine ecosystems is the pollution from plastics. These particles are a serious treat to the marine biota and human life and entail significant economic and social costs. Further, they reduce the aesthetic and perhaps intrinsic value of the marine environment (Jenssen, 2003).
The aim of this paper is to examine the threats from plastic pollution and introduce an interesting case study from the North Pacific Ocean. The paper will describe the current policies and propose market based instruments which can provide solution to the issue.
Table of contents
1 Introduction
2 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
3 Threats of plastic debris to marine biota and human health
3.1 Ingestion of plastic
3.2 Plastic ingestion and persistent organic pollutants
3.3 Entanglement of plastic debris
3.4 Plastic scrubbers (small plastic particles)
3.5 Invasive species
4 Other socio-economic considerations
5 Possible solution options
5.1 Policy measures
5.2 Market based instruments
6 Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the environmental and socio-economic threats posed by plastic pollution in the North Pacific Ocean, with a specific focus on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and evaluates potential policy interventions and market-based solutions to mitigate this transboundary issue.
- Ecological impact of plastic ingestion and entanglement on marine wildlife.
- Socio-economic consequences for tourism, fisheries, and human health.
- Challenges of transboundary regulation and non-point source pollution.
- Effectiveness of current international policies and legal frameworks.
- Implementation of market-based instruments and incentive structures.
Excerpt from the Book
2 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a floating plastic accumulation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and California (Figure 1). It includes all kinds of plastic debris from everyday life. For example bottles, plastic bags and toys. After the plastic components reach the ocean they are dispersed in various ways. Onshore winds force some debris back to shore, while offshore winds will push the debris into the currents. High pressure circulation systems, known as gyres, accumulate the trash into patches. The biggest gyre is located in the Central North Pacific. It may take 1 to 5 years for trash to reach the center of the gyre. Most of the trash is though to originate from the west coast of North America and the east coast of Asia. During their journey, plastics photodegrade and disintegrate into small particles and eventually into their molecular monomers, but always remain in the polymer form in the upper layer of the ocean. In this region researchers found six kilograms of plastic fragments for every kilogram of zooplankton smaller than 0.333 mm in size (Moore, 2008).
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to be twice the area of Texas (Bradshaw, 2009). It was discovered in 1988, but it received greater public attention only after it was documented by the researcher Captain Charles Moore in 1997. According to him, the plastic content of the patch has tripled since its initial discovery (Moore, 2002). It is a very complicated transboundary issue over non-point source pollution which involves international law, politics, economic, biological, social and safety issues.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the global rise in marine plastic pollution and defines the scope of the research regarding the North Pacific case study.
2 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Describes the physical formation, origin, and characteristics of the accumulation zone between Hawaii and California.
3 Threats of plastic debris to marine biota and human health: Analyzes the biological and chemical risks posed by plastic waste, including ingestion, pollutant bioaccumulation, and entanglement.
4 Other socio-economic considerations: Discusses the broader impacts on tourism, commercial fisheries, and human welfare.
5 Possible solution options: Evaluates global policy frameworks and market-based instruments to combat marine pollution.
6 Conclusion: Summarizes that there is no single solution and emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach involving policy, economic incentives, and public awareness.
Keywords
Marine pollution, Plastic debris, Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Marine ecosystems, Persistent organic pollutants, Bioaccumulation, Transboundary pollution, Environmental economics, Market-based instruments, Biodiversity, Waste management, Sustainability, Conservation, Policy measures, Human health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the environmental and socio-economic impacts of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific Ocean, analyzing how this pollution affects marine life and proposing regulatory solutions.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the degradation of marine ecosystems, the ingestion of microplastics by wildlife, the bioaccumulation of toxins in the food chain, and the economic burden placed on tourism and fisheries.
What is the central research objective?
The objective is to evaluate current policy failures regarding transboundary marine pollution and to propose effective market-based instruments for prevention and mitigation.
Which scientific methods are primarily employed?
The study relies on a synthesis of secondary literature, environmental impact assessments, and case study analysis, particularly focusing on the dynamics of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the biological threats to marine biota (ingestion and entanglement), the socioeconomic consequences of debris, and detailed potential solutions such as policy and market instruments.
How would you characterize the keywords for this document?
The keywords highlight the intersection of environmental science, maritime policy, and economic management in the context of marine plastic pollution.
What is the specific role of the "gyres" in the formation of the garbage patch?
Gyres are high-pressure circulation systems that act as magnets, accumulating floating plastic debris into massive, stable patches within the ocean.
Why are market-based instruments considered essential for this issue?
They provide economic incentives for producers and consumers to change behavior, such as through taxes or deposit schemes, which can raise revenue for waste management and clean-up efforts.
What is the "polluter pays principle" and why is it difficult to apply here?
It is the idea that the entity responsible for pollution should bear the cost; it is difficult to apply in the Pacific because the plastic is non-point source pollution, making it impossible to identify individual contributors.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2010, The impacts of plastic pollution in the North Pacific Ocean and possible solutions, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/157133
