The physical accumulation of plastic into giant “islands” is highlighted periodically and repeatedly, but the environmental situation is only getting worse.
The oceans are forming so-called garbage gyres—oceanic eddies that concentrate plastic, often in the center of quiet zones. 1
The most famous example is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Ocean. Its area is estimated at ~1.6 million km², larger than some countries or large US states, and its weight reaches hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic. 2
But the “plastic island” is not a solid floating garbage dump, but rather a scattered “soup” of billions of pieces, from macro to microplastics. 3
Chemical and biogeochemical disturbances are increasing because plastic in water does not remain neutral. Under the influence of solar ultraviolet, physical destruction, salinity and microorganisms, it gradually breaks down, releasing chemical compounds – from monomers and plasticizers (e.g. BPA, phthalates) to stabilizers, dyes. These substances are able to persist in the marine environment for a long time and react with other reagents. 4
Microplastics also act as a transport trap for hydrophobic toxins (persistent organic pollutants — POPs), heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides: they adsorb on the surface of the plastic, concentrate and then move over long distances, changing the chemical balance of the oceans. 5
Scientific models estimate that microplastics may reduce the efficiency of the ocean’s biological carbon pump—by disrupting phytoplankton and zooplankton, which reduces carbon sequestration to the ocean floor, and by altering the transport pathways of organic carbon. 6
Thus, Giant Plastic “Garbage Islands” disrupt not only the ecology of the water surface, but also affect the deeper layers, chemical cycles, oxygen availability, and also change the pH and acid-base balance through additional chemical and biochemical processes. 7
The consequences for marine ecosystems and biodiversity are fatal. Animals often become entangled in large plastic structures, such as fishing nets (ghost nets), which make up a significant part of the mass of the garbage “island”. This leads to injuries, loss of mobility, death and changes in behavior. 8
Plastic in the stomachs of marine animals or in the shells of birds and turtles can block digestion, create a false sense of fullness, and cause physical harm to organisms. 9
Due to the bioaccumulation of toxic compounds associated with plastic, toxins can pass through the food chain to fish, marine mammals, and humans who consume seafood. This poses risks to the health, reproduction, and survival of species. 10
The existing shortage of recycling technologies is exacerbating the problem!
Unless plastic enters aquatic systems, the “static stockpile” of plastic in ocean estuaries will continue to grow:
but does not disappear. 11
Given the low level of recycling and reuse, much of the plastic waste ends up accumulating in the environment, rather than being reused. This means that even if large pieces of plastic are physically removed, large amounts of toxins and microplastics are already prevalent in the oceans, water columns, bottom sediments, atmosphere and organisms.
Cleaning up surface debris does not bring back all the microplastics, because they have already diffused into deeper layers, or have been consumed and reincorporated into biological or mineral processes. Thus, without technologies that work to recycle and monitor micro- and nanoplastics, the problem is not fully solved.
To conclude, it is appropriate to provide an overview of the already highlighted methods for proper disposal of plastic waste, in particular those that were described in the materials of our website.
avelife.pro considered car tires as a case study for waste recycling, and proposed approaches to their granulation and recycling, taking into account environmental and technological aspects.
Hydrothermal liquidation/hydrothermal lyophilization of waste, including plastic waste, was discussed as one of the ways to transform waste into fuel or energy fractions through elevated pressure and temperature. (For details, see the research on hydrothermal processing of marine waste).
Biodegradation and the breakdown of polymers by bacteria or microorganisms was mentioned, although the problem was also highlighted:
The need for local initiatives was emphasized:
You can find detailed methods for properly disposing of plastic waste through recycling in previous publications on this website in relevant topics.
The Institute of Nanotechnology and Organic Products “Avelife” improves the methodology and creates modern tools and products to increase crop yields, restore soils and water bodies.
On June 20, 2025, the head of the Institute of Nanotechnologies and Organic Products “AVELIFE”, Timur Levda, attended a fundraising consultation meeting held at the “France” Hotel in Vinnytsia.
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