‘Great Garbage Patch’ in the Pacific Ocean not so great claim scientists

Richard Alleyne
Telegraph UK
January 11, 2011

Environmental scientists have been criticised for exaggerating the size of an “island” of plastic waste said to be swirling around in the Pacific Ocean after a study finds that it is 200 times smaller than claimed.

Claims that the “Great Garbage Patch” between California and Japan is twice the size of Texas is “grossly exaggerated” said the research which reckons it is more like one per cent the size.

Further reports that the oceans are filled with more plastic than plankton, and that the patch has been growing tenfold each decade since the 1950s are equally misleading, the new research claimed.

In reality it often cannot even be seen from the deck of a passing boat, said the latest analysts from the Oregon State University professor of oceanography Angelicque White.

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This article was posted: Monday, January 10, 2011 at 4:52 pm

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