Plastic in the sea and oceans: the interactive maps

Once plastic is thrown into the waters of rivers and seas it “disintegrates” into microplastics due to the action of the sun’s ultraviolet rays but also due to the “mechanical action” caused by the movement of ocean waves. These small plastic fragments, harmful to marine organisms and ecosystems, can be carried by ocean currents hundreds or thousands of kilometres away from their source, making them difficult to detect and, above all, remove.

Thanks to new technologies, such as NASA‘s extensive network of satellites (Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System – CYGNSS), it is now possible to accurately measure wind speeds over the oceans and provide information on the strength of hurricanes. The CYGNSS system uses radar that can measure the roughness of the ocean influenced by several factors including wind speed and debris floating in the water.

Working “backwards”, the researchers first identified those areas of the oceans that had surfaces that were unusually smoother than would normally be expected from “normal” wind velocity action and, believing that this might indicate the presence of microplastics, they then compared these areas with previous surveys and observations of patterns of microplastic aggregation locations in the oceans. This is how the scientists found that microplastics tended to be present in the smoother waters, demonstrating that CYGNSS data can be used as a tool to track ocean microplastics by observing them from space.

Here below are four interactive maps (source: MAPBOX) useful for visualising the current situation. Let us explore together the challenges and solutions to plastic pollution in the oceans.

MAP 1: RIVER SOURCES OF PLASTIC POLLUTION

80% of plastic pollution comes from about 1,000 rivers worldwide. Thanks to extensive data collection, the map identifies the “hot spots” of plastic pollution at the mouths of rivers. Although still definable and manageable, the river source map indicates that the problem of polluted rivers is bigger than estimated.

Click on the image to navigate the map in order to obtain more detailed data and information.

river sources of plastic pollution

MAP 2: THE PRICE OF PLASTIC POLLUTION

Plastic pollution comes at a high cost. Ocean Cleanup (in collaboration with Deloitte) calculated and analysed the global economic impact of plastic pollution in the oceans on some of the “key sectors” including: aquaculture, fisheries and tourism. The map displays the results of this economic analysis.

Click on the image to navigate the map in order to obtain more detailed data and information.

price of plastic pollution

MAP 3: TRACKING WASTE

This map shows the global problem of plastic in the oceans around the world. The map illustrates the hypothetical path that a piece of plastic might take from the moment it is first released into the environment to reach the ocean. Each trajectory is modelled using a Lagrangian model of plastic dispersal using data on ocean currents, river mouth emissions and inland water flow direction.

Click on the image to navigate the map in order to obtain more detailed data and information.

tracking waste

MAP 4: CITIZEN SCIENCE

Ocean Cleanup makes use of a “citizen scientist”, i.e. a (global) network of people who make observations and report plastic litter with the specific intention of helping researchers better understand plastic pollution. This support also serves to refine clean-up strategies. The Citizen Science Map is an extraordinary tool because is able to display data collected through the Ocean Plastic Survey and River Plastic Survey applications. This important “grouping” of information makes the map easy to use even if the number of reports grows exponentially.

Click on the image to navigate the map in order to obtain more detailed data and information.

citizen science

We only have one home. We would do well to look after it.

More awareness about the health of our planet is necessary to preserve our future generations