Polymers in the Ocean: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Homework Questions
Directions
Sources
National Geographic:
http://education.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/
New York Times article "Afloat in the Ocean, Expanding Islands of Trash:"
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/science/10patch.html?_r=1
Video - TED talk with Charles Moore
https://www.ted.com/talks/capt_charles_moore_on_the_seas_of_plastic?language=en#t-380235
Video - 2-minute video summarizing the GPGP
http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/trashtalk_garbagepatch/
Infographic on the GPGP:
https://projectoceanus.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/great-pacific-garbage-patch-infographic.jpg
Questions (3-5 points each)
1. Where, specifically, is the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” (GPGP) located? What are the names of the two areas (be specific) that contain the highest concentration of plastic in the GPGP? How was the Pacific garbage patch found, when was it found, and who discovered it? (4 points)
2. What is a gyre? Describe in detail how gyres lead to increased accumulation of plastic pollution and floating trash. (3 points)
3. According to the 2-minute “Ocean Today” video, how many gyres are there in the world? How large (in square miles) is the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre? What are the names of the four ocean currents that make up this gyre? (4 points)
4. Identify four different examples of plastic trash found in the GPGP. Why is plastic the most common type of trash found in the gyre? (3 points)
5. Define the terms biodegradable, and photodegradable. Which of these two terms correctly describes plastic? How large (or small) are most of the plastic pieces in the GPGP? (4 points)
6. Imagine you are aboard Charles Moore’s catamaran boat, sailing through the GPGP. How would you describe what you see? What does the water look like? Are there large pieces of plastic trash covering the ocean surface, or are the individual pieces harder to see? (4 points)
7. Describe the two different sources that account for the trash found in the Pacific Garbage Patch. What percentage of the pollution comes from land, and how does it get from land into the ocean? What percentage of the trash comes from sea activities? What are the sea activities that cause this pollution? (4 points)
8. Explain in detail two different ways in which plastic pollution can cause harm to marine organisms and birds. How does plastic in the GPGP allow chemicals like DDT and PCB’s to work their way into the food chain? (4 points)
9. In his 7-minute TED talk, Charles Moore questions and criticizes plastic recycling. Based on what he says in this video, why is Charles Moore critical of plastic recycling? What does he think is the best and most effective strategy to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the GPGP? Support your answer with specific examples from the video. (5 points)
10. What is meant by Jeffrey Ernst’s quote that the patch is “just a reminder that there’s nowhere that isn’t affected by humanity”? Do you think it is possible to clean up all of the plastic in the GPGP? Why or why not? Explain your answer in detail. What do YOU think is the best solution to solve the problem of plastic pollution in the GPGP? (5 points)
Directions
- Responses must be written on a separate sheet of paper or typed and printed out, and should include the heading “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Responses.”
- The notes you wrote in class must be handed in with your responses.
- Always write in full sentences, and answer all parts of each question. Expand on your ideas and provide as much detail as possible.
- If you need to look back at the articles, videos, or images, use the links below, from our class reading and discussion. All links are also posted on the Weebly.
- This assignment is worth 40 points, and is due on May 5.
Sources
National Geographic:
http://education.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/
New York Times article "Afloat in the Ocean, Expanding Islands of Trash:"
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/science/10patch.html?_r=1
Video - TED talk with Charles Moore
https://www.ted.com/talks/capt_charles_moore_on_the_seas_of_plastic?language=en#t-380235
Video - 2-minute video summarizing the GPGP
http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/trashtalk_garbagepatch/
Infographic on the GPGP:
https://projectoceanus.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/great-pacific-garbage-patch-infographic.jpg
Questions (3-5 points each)
1. Where, specifically, is the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” (GPGP) located? What are the names of the two areas (be specific) that contain the highest concentration of plastic in the GPGP? How was the Pacific garbage patch found, when was it found, and who discovered it? (4 points)
2. What is a gyre? Describe in detail how gyres lead to increased accumulation of plastic pollution and floating trash. (3 points)
3. According to the 2-minute “Ocean Today” video, how many gyres are there in the world? How large (in square miles) is the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre? What are the names of the four ocean currents that make up this gyre? (4 points)
4. Identify four different examples of plastic trash found in the GPGP. Why is plastic the most common type of trash found in the gyre? (3 points)
5. Define the terms biodegradable, and photodegradable. Which of these two terms correctly describes plastic? How large (or small) are most of the plastic pieces in the GPGP? (4 points)
6. Imagine you are aboard Charles Moore’s catamaran boat, sailing through the GPGP. How would you describe what you see? What does the water look like? Are there large pieces of plastic trash covering the ocean surface, or are the individual pieces harder to see? (4 points)
7. Describe the two different sources that account for the trash found in the Pacific Garbage Patch. What percentage of the pollution comes from land, and how does it get from land into the ocean? What percentage of the trash comes from sea activities? What are the sea activities that cause this pollution? (4 points)
8. Explain in detail two different ways in which plastic pollution can cause harm to marine organisms and birds. How does plastic in the GPGP allow chemicals like DDT and PCB’s to work their way into the food chain? (4 points)
9. In his 7-minute TED talk, Charles Moore questions and criticizes plastic recycling. Based on what he says in this video, why is Charles Moore critical of plastic recycling? What does he think is the best and most effective strategy to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the GPGP? Support your answer with specific examples from the video. (5 points)
10. What is meant by Jeffrey Ernst’s quote that the patch is “just a reminder that there’s nowhere that isn’t affected by humanity”? Do you think it is possible to clean up all of the plastic in the GPGP? Why or why not? Explain your answer in detail. What do YOU think is the best solution to solve the problem of plastic pollution in the GPGP? (5 points)