Plastic Pollution in the Ocean

Derraik, Jose GB. "The Pollution of the Marine Environment by Plastic Debris: AReview." Marine Pollution Bulletin 44.9 (2002): 842-852.
Human activities have for many years facilitated plastic pollution in the oceans and other water bodies. Derraik points out how plastic debris is structured and its ability to be easily ingested by marine organisms. The article further points out the threats that come with ingestion of plastic components to aquatic and non-aquatic life. However, the Derraik failed
to give a clear explanation of how plastic debris affects micro and macro marine organisms (Par. 1).
The marine debris is high lethal to human beings and animals. The micro plastic components in the oceans tend to inhibit life as they interfere with the temperature and air balance in the marine ecosystem leading diseases and death among marine organisms. Extensively, Derraik reports that the human beings who also get affected in the long run as they consume some of the marine organisms that have likely ingested the plastic materials resulting to cancerous diseases in man. The article is of significance to the study as it provides the effects that come with plastic pollution in the oceans (Par 4).

Eriksen, Marcus, et al. "Plastic Pollution in the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre." Marine Pollution Bulletin 68.1 (2013): 71-76.
Plastic pollution in the marine hemisphere is a major problem that has gone unreported over years. The existence of plastic fragments in the Northern Hemisphere sub tropical gyres has been reported since the 1970s in North Atlantic. Marcus et al argue that the plastic particles in the Atlantic originate from the sea and land based sources. The plastic elements then form a zone of microplastic particles as opposed to surrounding waters free of plastic pollution. The cluster of the gyres is developed by Ekman and geostrophic currents enhanced by local winds and Coriolis forces respectively. Conclusively, the article provides a clear procedure through which micro plastic particles are formed in some parts of the North Atlantic Sea. However, it cannot be generalized to other areas as the field of study is quite different from other regions (Par. 1).
The ideas of Marcus et al are essential in providing a clear explanation as to why plastic components and other trash dumped in the ocean tend to gather in some areas of the ocean. The explanation of the different currents is critical in providing means to do away with the marine debris.
Fendall, Lisa S., and Mary A. Sewell."Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: Microplastics in facial cleansers."Marine Pollution Bulletin 58.8 (2009): 1225-1228.
The growing area of study has made researchers to put efforts in both macro-plastic and microplastic pollution. Micro plastic pollution was first discovered in the 1990s to emerge from liquid hand cleansers rarely used by the average consumer. Later in 2009 was realized that consumers use micro plastic containing products on a daily basis. Research has proved that facial cleansers contain a substantial percentage of polyethylene that cannot be captured by water waste plants thus enter the ocean. The little elements will contribute to UV-degradation absorbing hydrophobic materials like PCBs, “making them smaller and more toxic in the long-term” (1228) (Par. 2). Fendall and Sewell work is limited to facial cleansers yet consumers use several cleansers that pollute the ocean.
The discovery of the existing plastic components in the cleanser items is significant in understanding how human life is surrounded by danger out of his work. Fendall and Sewell point out the synthetic polymer materials used in making facial cleansers and how they get their way into the ocean. Though they are invisible like the macro plastics their effect is highly severe as they are easily ingested by marine organisms and in turn by human beings leading to poor health and well-being (Par. 1).
Boerger, Christiana M., et al. "Plastic Ingestion by PlanktivorousFishes in the North Pacific Central Gyre." Marine Pollution Bulletin 60.12 (2010): 2275-2278.
Boerger developed on article exposing the situation of the North Pacific Central Gyre regarding plastic pollution. There port further reveals the effect the pollution has on lower trophic level marine organisms since much has been documented on its impact on large marine organisms. The study used the planktivorous fish in the NPCG quantifying the amount of plastic found in its gut. The information is critical in providing knowledge as well as suggesting areas of research such as determination in the residence time of ingested plastic and its effect on the fish health and food chain implication (Par. 1).
Several scholars have documented on the effect marine debris has on the large marine organisms such as whales, dolphins and turtles. However, marine ecosystem consists of microorganisms that can well be observed by the use of microscopes. The organisms equally experience the effects of plastic pollution and fail to play their role in the maintenance of the bio diversity in the system (Par. 2).
Moore, Charles James. "Synthetic polymers in the marine environment: a rapidly increasing, long-term threat." Environmental research 108.2 (2008): 131-139.
The entry of synthetic polymers in the marine has been parallel to their level of production. However, in the 20th century the deposition rate has accelerated beyond rates of production making plastics the most common pollutants of water bodies. Moore tends to provide a general view of the growth of plastic pollutants and their effect on aquatic and non-aquatic life. However, the article fails to provide necessary techniques for each problem based on current technology that can be employed to curb the situation worldwide (Par. 2).
It is a significant material in the research as it portrays how plastic pollution came to exists over time and space in the marine life. The history of marine debris is critical in understanding where the problem began and settling for a reasonable solution to the situation. Moore provides necessary statistics essential to predict the situation of marine debris in the future. Hence, it explores the phenomenon from the point of past, present and the future (Par. 4).