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Coastal Pollution

Most ocean pollution comes from the shore, including fertilizers that may cause dead zones.

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Japanese Dock 2
Teacher Contributed

Japanese Dock Surfs to Oregon!

Why It Matters



'Mystery' dock washes up on Oregon beach

Explore More

1. How did it get to Oregon?

2. Where else do you think scientists will find debris? Scientists refer to the accumulation of debris in the ocean as a garbage patch. Here is a map of where debris concentrates in the ocean: Here is a team collecting debris: Pacific Voyage Finds a Sea of Floating Tsunami Debris NOAA has used computer models to predict the movement of the debris from the Japanese tsunami:

3. Use the following simulator (http://las.pfeg.noaa.gov/oscurs/#) to track surface ocean currents from Japan through the Pacific Ocean. At the bottom of the simulator, you can enter in March 11, 2011 as your start date and drag the marker to the coast of Japan. Run the model and note the path of the surface currents. Now try changing some of the optional parameters. What happens to the surface current path as you change each of these?

4. What other kinds of debris do you think they will find? Witness to a Plastic Invasion

5. Track your own marine debris sightings using this app!

Resources Cited


NOAA. http://youtu.be/Lo5uH1UJF4A




Lisa Stark. ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/07/the-garbage-cruise-a-sea-of-floating-tsunami-debris/

Laurie Penland. Ocean Portal. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. http://ocean.si.edu/blog/witness-plastic-invasion

Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative. http://sea-mdi.engr.uga.edu/?p=155

Connections to other CK-12 Subject Areas

  • Tsunami (SCI.ESC.364.L.1)
  • Earthquakes at Convergent Plate Boundaries (SCI.ESC.362.2.L.1)
  • Ocean-Continent Convergent Plate Boundaries (SCI.ESC.342.4.L.1)

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