Learn More! Talbot the Turtle: The Plastic Ocean

Welcome to the Coral Forest -- Talbot's favourite place to dive into deeper discussion about the issues he faces within his home. Each of Talbot's adventures will be accompanied by a post to provide important definitions, and further education on the specific topic focused on in the related book.

Please click through the major topics that Talbot is worried about related to Ocean Plastic.

---

Is there a special word for small bits of plastic?

There is! Small bits of plastic that are smaller than 5 millimetres are called microplastics. Microplastics come from two different sources:

• Primary Microplastics - These are tiny little pieces of plastic, similar to the size of a grain of rice, known as nurdles or plastic pellets. They're made in factories to be used to make all sorts of plastic things, like toys, water bottles, and even car parts. Unfortunately sometimes, nurdles can accidentally spill out of trucks or containers and end up in the ocean or other bodies of water.

An example of nurdles or plastic pellets on a beach

• Secondary Microplastics - These are the type of microplastics that Talbot came across in the Plastic Ocean. These are small pieces of plastic that come from the breakdown of larger pieces of plastic items, like plastic bottles, lighters, pens, etc. This plastic breaks down over time into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics.

An example of secondary source microplastics on the shores of Lake Ontario at Humber Bay Park, Toronto, ON

Both types of microplastics are very small in size, which makes them almost impossible to clean up when they end up in the environment.

How much plastic is actually in the ocean?

The exact weight of plastic in the ocean is difficult to determine, but estimates range from tens of millions of tons to over 100 million tons. The amount of plastic waste in the ocean is increasing every year, and it is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue, and it is crucial that we take action to reduce and properly dispose of plastic waste.

Fish swimming among plastic pollution

Where is the biggest collection of plastic within the ocean?

There is a place in the Pacific Ocean, between California and Hawaii, called the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" where a lot of plastic and other waste has collected due to ocean currents. It's like a giant trash heap, estimated to be twice the size of Texas, floating in the ocean. Its size and exact location vary, but it is estimated to contain tens of thousands of tons of plastic.

Map of the location of the 5 biggest ocean garbage patches, with the biggest being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

It is harmful to sea creatures and their environment. But plastic can be found in many other parts of the ocean too, meaning it's a big problem all over the world.

Will plastic actually never go away?

Plastic takes a long, long time to break down, much longer than natural things like leaves and food. Some kinds of plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose, for example, plastic bags can take 10-20 years to break down, while plastic bottles can take 450 years or more. The exact time it takes for plastic to decompose is difficult to determine because it can vary greatly based on factors such as sunlight, temperature, and the presence of other materials.

Decomposition rates for ocean pollution - as you can see, natural materials decompose much quicker than plastic products, which will be around much longer than the humans that used them one time.

Remember, plastic does not completely decompose, but rather breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which can persist in the environment for a very long time.

What will happen if you do eat plastic?

When marine animals like my fish friends, other sea turtles, and even birds accidentally eat plastic, it can be really harmful for them. Plastic can fill up their stomachs and make them feel full, even though they aren't getting the proper nutrients they need to grow and survive.

This means they might not eat their usual food and can even starve to death. Plastic can also get stuck in their throats or harm their digestive system. In some cases, plastic can release toxic chemicals into the animals' bodies which can make them very sick.

Pelican eating plastic

It's really important that we try to prevent plastic from getting into the ocean, so that our marine friends don't have to suffer!

Why don't you and your animal friends just not eat the plastic?

Marine animals sometimes mistake plastic for food because plastic can look similar to the animals' natural prey, like small fish or plankton or even jellyfish! Plastic can also absorb the smells and flavours of the animals' food, making it even more tempting to eat. It can be difficult for them to tell the difference between plastic and their natural food, especially when they are hunting for food in murky or dark waters.

A sea turtle mistaking plastic for its natural food.

This can be a big problem because plastic is not a food source, and it can make the animals sick or even kill them.

What can I do to make sure that more plastic doesn't end up in the ocean?

There are many things that you and I can do to help make sure more plastic doesn't end up in the ocean. Here are some simple ideas:

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Use a reusable water bottle instead of a plastic one, and remember to recycle when you're finished.

2. Say no to single-use plastics: Try to avoid using single-use plastics like straws, shopping bags, and cutlery.

3. Pick up litter: If you see plastic litter on the ground, pick it up and dispose of it properly.

4. Spread the word: Tell your family and friends about the importance of keeping plastic out of the ocean.

5. Get involved: Participate in beach clean-ups or events that help protect the ocean and its wildlife.

By following these simple steps, you can help make a big difference in protecting our oceans and the animals that live in it!

---

Interested in seeing more? Check out the video below to see an example of just how much plastic can be hiding in plain sight!

---

If you have anymore questions that Talbot hasn't already answered, please leave a comment with your question below and we will be sure to make sure that Talbot gives you an answer!