Remember the Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch? This week the Oceanographic Research Vessel Alguita (a relatively tiny boat compared to your standard marine research vessel) has set off on a month long research expedition to study marine debris concentrations in our precious Pacific. The crew is charting their course (ha!) on their blog.
Their research is partially aimed at exploring the Debris Estimated Likelihood Index, a concept said to predict where large debris accumulation occurs, including possible seasonal distribution of major debris concentrations. Their planned sampling points include waters previously unsampled for plastic debris, including waters further west than previously sampled.
h/t Oyster’s Garter via Deep Sea News.
image credit: ORV Alguita
