There's A Giant Trash Pile In The Ocean That Might Kill Us And That's Your Fault | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

There's A Giant Trash Pile In The Ocean That Might Kill Us And That's Your Fault

Do the right thing and clean up after yourself!

204
There's A Giant Trash Pile In The Ocean That Might Kill Us And That's Your Fault
Scott Van Hoy

With Earth Day right around the corner, it’s time we start cleaning up our act, literally. As a Floridian, I have seen the litter that accumulates on the Sunshine State’s shores. Beach clean-ups were a common way for many at my high school to earn service hours.

That shouldn’t be the case.

All the trash we see on the side of the road or overflowing from garbage cans has to go somewhere – the ocean. Waste is either illegally and intentionally dumped by businesses, or it is carried by the wind into the water. The plastic then travels further out into the ocean dragged by the Gulf Stream current which curves right around the east side of Florida. This gyre, as scientists call it, pulls all of the litter into one giant mass in the Sargasso Sea, creating a very visible, very toxic marine dump.

The Sargasso Sea is located in the Atlantic Ocean and is so named because of the yellowish-brown algae, Sargassum, that floats within it. This seaweed-looking vegetation often washes ashore on Hollywood or Miami beaches. As a child, I would collect bunches and shake it into a bucket filled with saltwater. Shrimp and crabs, sometimes even fish, would fall out. The Sargassum mats are an important nursery for juvenile species. Hundreds of animals rely on the seaweed to hide from predators, including endangered sea turtles.

The Sargasso Sea is the only sea without a land border, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t affected by those that live on land. A study that spanned over two decades recorded 580,000 pieces of plastic litter per square kilometer in the Sargasso Sea. This trash pile stretches for miles and is polluting the ocean so many animals call their home. Plastic bags, trapped among the seaweed, look like jellyfish to sea turtles. The already endangered reptile will die after ingesting the pollutant. Hazardous chemicals from the BPA filled plastics seep into the water after melting in the constant heat of the sun.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to clean up the floating garbage pile, because the currents change every day. The undertows keep it confined to the Sargasso Sea, but the winds and currents vary with the weather, spreading the trash farther. It lies within international waters, so most governments deem it a “not-my-problem” situation. Conservationists are struggling to find a way to remove the litter without also removing the animals that have attached themselves to it or live within the trash.

Also, it is nearly impossible to separate the seaweed from floating plastic without bycatching the hatchlings with nets. Non-profit organizations are working to come up with a solution for the Sargasso Sea trash pile, but it grows each day.

So, what can we, as humans, do? The number one thing is this: Throw away your trash! Simply putting your empty bottle or gum wrapper into the garbage can save a life. Use reusable bags when grocery shopping and if you do take Walmart’s plastic bags, secure them tightly in your trash can so they don’t float away into the ocean. Recycle your plastic when on campus. The blue bins are conveniently located next to trash cans for a reason. Do the right thing and clean up after yourself.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1199
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

730
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199867
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20669
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments