Carried Away! - Physical Dispersal of Marine Debris

Vertical distribution

Slide courtesy of Dr. Richard Thompson

Air circulation Warm air at the equator rises Cold air at the poles sink Air circulation produces wind

Conclusions Plastic is found from the surface to the bottom of the ocean. The rising of warm air at the equator and the sinking of cold air at the poles produce wind. Winds blow across the surface of the ocean and create currents. Currents can transport debris far from their source in a short amount of time.