Understanding Ocean Garbage Patches

What is a gyre?

• A type of marine plant

• A small island made of trash

• A large system of circulating ocean currents

• A type of fish found in the ocean

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How many major ocean gyres are there?

• Three

• Four

• Five

• Six

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which gyre is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located in?

• North Atlantic Gyre

• South Atlantic Gyre

• North Pacific Gyre

• Indian Ocean Gyre

What is the primary composition of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

• Organic waste

• Glass bottles

• Plastic debris

• Metal debris

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-3

What are 'nurdles'?

• Tiny plastic pellets used to make larger items

• A type of fish that eats plastic

• A type of seaweed

• A type of ocean current

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-3

Why is it difficult to clean up garbage patches?

• They are protected by international law

• They are located in remote areas

• They consist of tiny micro plastics that are hard to remove

• They are too deep underwater

What is one reason why plastics in the ocean are so small?

• They dissolve in saltwater

• They are eaten by fish and broken down

• They are manufactured to be small

• They are compressed by ocean pressure

What is a significant risk of micro plastics in the ocean?

• They can cause tsunamis

• They can be ingested by marine life

• They can increase ocean temperatures

• They can create new landmasses

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NGSS.MS-LS2-5

What is one action individuals can take to reduce marine debris?

• Travel less by boat

• Use more plastic products

• Participate in beach cleanups

• Avoid eating seafood

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-3

What is the 'peppery soup' analogy used to describe?

• The movement of ocean currents

• The distribution of fish in the ocean

• The appearance of micro plastics in the water column

• The taste of ocean water