During this voyage you will be joining the first comprehensive study of plastic pollution in the world's oceans. Over the past ten years our research team has studied plastic pollution in the North Pacific Ocean. Now we will be expanding our research to the North and South Atlantic Ocean. The project is called 5 Gyres because there are five sub-tropical gyres in the world's oceans (see the map on the left). A gyre is a giant circular oceanic surface current (1) where plastic pollution tends to gather. (Here is an advanced explanation of ocean surface currents and gyres). Thank you for joining our research team to voyage thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean studying plastic pollution!
To the left is a map showing the route of the first two research voyages across the North Atlantic Ocean. The first voyage (Jan. 7-18) went from the Virgin Islands to Bermuda. The next voyage, that you will be joining us for, will go from Bermuda to the Azores (see if you can find these locations on a map!) On these voyages, we'll collect ocean samples to study how much plastic is in the water, as well as examine fish for possible plastic ingestion (this means checking to see if the fish have eaten plastic!) These expeditions will help us to further understand the impact of plastic waste on the world's oceans!(1) GYRE. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved January 20, 2010, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GYRE
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Lesson Extensions
Lesson Extensions
Teachers- Here is a link to more activities and lessons relating to the topics of Ocean Currents and Plastic Pollution.
23 comments:
Do you think that you are going to find the same results in these Gyres that you did in your previous voyage in the North Atlantic? What are you expecting?
Thank you and have fun.
From, Kayla, 11th grade at River Ridge High School New Port Richey, Florida.
How will you do things differently on this expedition then you did on the first? Also how do you like your work? Are you seeing any improvements in the oceans?
Thanks, Patty, 11th grade at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, Florida
During your new voyage to the Atlantic ocean's gyres, what will you do to better your results? Have you gained any more experience on how to retrieve more helpful results? Exactly what do you expect to accomplish during your new expedition?
Thanks, Bryan and Ashley at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, Florida
Do you think that plastic in the water can be an influence to the development of red tide algal blooms?
From Nick, Senior at River Ridge High School, New Port Richey, Fl.
How do you find the gyres? Do you hope to see your data change dramatically from your first goyage?
Peace, Rachel, 11th grade from River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, Florida
So far on your new voyage, have you guys seen a difference in the type of debris you've collected than you did on your last voyage, or is it around the same?
Thanks, Jackie, 11th grade at River Ridge High School, Florida.
What do you think the outcome is going to be in a couple of years form all the plastic in the ocean?
Stephanie and Josiliyah at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, Florida
How long ago were these gyres found?can you see them from space?
From,Neal,River Ridge High School,New Port Richey,Florida
How many species of wildlife will be tested for ingestion of plastics? Are you mainly testing commercially consumed fish? How exactly are you testing these species for plastics?
- Tyler, from River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, FL.
Have you found any chemical compounds from plastics in the muscle tissues of fish (something that humans eat), or are the compounds (if present) filtered out by the digestive systems of the fish?
-John, from River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, FL.
during your trip what was the largest item of pollution you`ve found? and where excatly did you find it?
shannon 12th river ridge high school, florida
Do you think you will find more pollution in the Atlantic then you did in the Pacific? How different is the type of trash you find in the Atlantic then you did in the pacific?
Thanks, Daniel, 11th grade at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, Florida
Hey guys! I was just wondering how this excursion is going to be different from past and future ones? What are you hoping to find that you didn't on the first trip? Also, what effects of the plastic scraps in common foods will have and what do you think should be done to stop it (besides stopping pollution of course!) Thanks! Hannah, junior at River Ridge High School, New Port Richey, FL
I saw your video on Good Morning America about the fish eating plastic and I was wondering how long it would take for a fish's tissues to absorb the toxins in the plasic?
Thanks, Erin, Grade 11, River Ridge High School, New Port Richey, Florida.
This is Jake. I'm a 12th grader from River Ridge High School in New Port Richey Fl. My question is this: Is it hard to travel in the sargussum and have you ever gotten trapped?
How long would it take for a piece of trash from Tampa, FL to reach this gyre?
Heather from River Ridge High School,12th grade
Do you expect to see the same plastic pollution in the Atlantic that was seen in the Pacific?
From, Makayla and Marie at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, Florida.
What would be one early estimate of the percentage of fish that have already ingested pastic and or any other toxic compound floating in the gyre?
From, Eddy Junior at River Ridge high school.
hello my name is Chelsea,11 grade from river ridge high school new port ritchey fl. out of all the plastic you found in the water is their some things u didn't exspect to find? Do u know why it was found their and is it to late to get all the plastic out of are waters?
thanks and hope you guys find what your looking for.
Cody and Zach River Ridge High School New Port Richey, FL Upperclassmen Marine Science class With this effect you have observed of large amounts of plastic, what do you think would be the outcome in say 10 years from now and what does the future look like for our oceans?
what would you do thats different on this expedition that you didn't do on the first trip? do you ever think that the ocean will be clean again?
thanks, Richard, 11th grade at River Ridge high school new port richey
When the crew catches fish for food and they find plastic within their intestines do they still eat the fish? If a fish eats plankton and the plankton are absorbing the microscopic plastic debris within the ocean does that mean all fish people eat has plastic in it? What sort of negative effects could this have on people?
Thanks, AnnaLisa, senior at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey Florida
What is the average size dorado you have caught on your journey on the ocean?
Cody
River Ridge High School 11th
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