Developing Sustainable Solutions for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Project Kaisei is a non- profit organization dedicated to understanding, raising awareness of, and developing innovative solutions to the problem of plastic debris in the oceans, especially in the region commonly known as the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” or the “Plastic Vortex.”What Is The Great Pacific Garbage Patch? The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an area of concentrated marine debris trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre. The exact size of the patch is unknown, but Project Kaisei estimates it is at least twice the size of Texas. The debris consists both of large pieces of plastic and other debris, and large amounts of suspended plastic particles created from the breakdown of larger pieces. Remains of a Laysan Albatross chick that died after being fed plastic by its parents. The Plastic Vortex is a serious environmental and human health issue, because the debris affects marine wildlife, who often mistake it for food. In some parts of the Plastic Vortex, researchers have found concentrations of plastic up to seven times higher than the concentration of zooplankton, the primary source of food for many wildlife in the region. The plastics can harm wildlife directly, by choking them or causing internal damage. Plastics and other debris from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch may also be entering the human food chain, as humans eat fish that have mistaken particles of debris for food. With concerns already rising over the long- term health effects of exposure to certain chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates, commonly found in plastics, more research needs to be done into the effects of plastic consumption on fish and wildlife, and the people who eat them. Another concern is the spread of invasive species, since researchers from Project Kaisei and others have found a variety of invertebrate species clinging to larger debris, raising concerns that they might use the debris to travel between islands or even continents. What Is Project Kaisei Doing about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Project Kaisei’s main initial focus is on research to learn more about the Plastic Vortex. In combination with oceanographers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Project Kaisei researchers visited the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in summer 2. The team plans another trip this summer. Marine plastic pollution is one of the greatest issues facing our oceans. The world's biggest accumulation of this trash can be found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch between Hawaii and California and The Ocean. The Solution to the 'Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch' on ResearchGate, the professional network for scientists. Project Kaisei is working on a number of education and outreach projects to raise awareness of the Plastic Vortex. These projects include a children’s book, university outreach programs, and annual ocean clean- up drives in celebration of World Ocean Day on June 8th. Over the years many experts have thought it impossible to resolve the growing problem of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, however through some prevention techniques and an award-winning invention, the probability of cleaning.Project Kaisei is also working on a documentary to raise awareness of the Plastic Vortex and Project Kaisei’s efforts to find a solution. Finally, Project Kaisei is experimenting with a number of innovative solutions to the problem. Ultimately, Project Kaisei hopes to collect and recycle the debris to convert into diesel fuel, clothing (such as these cool recycled polyester swimsuits), and other products. With a growing number of independent fishermen being pushed out of the business by large commercial fleets, Project Kaisei also hopes to create jobs for unemployed fishermen by enlisting their assistance in collecting debris for recycling. How You Can Help. You can support Project Kaisei’s work directly by making a donation on their website and helping to spread the word about its efforts to clean up the Plastic Vortex. According to recent scientific expeditions to the Pacific, there forms a so-called 'Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch' caused by the ocean gyre. It breaks the balance of original marine ecosystem, and at the same time, part of. UPDATED FEBRUARY 7, 2013 -- While everything may be bigger in Texas, some reports about the 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch' would lead you to believe that this marine mass of plastic is bigger than Texas—maybe twice as big as. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of many areas in the ocean where marine debris naturally concentrates because of ocean currents. In this episode, Dianna Parker from the NOAA Marine Debris Program explains what a garbage. You can also help by practicing the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and helping reduce the overall amount of debris that makes it into our ocean ecosystems. A few simple ways to start the transition to a plastic- free life include reusable water bottles and reusable shopping bags.
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