Sailing the Seven Seas to Study Garbage
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 07. 2.07
While not necessarily the most glamorous-sounding research topic, the expedition that Queen's University graduate student Bryson Robertson is getting ready to embark on should provide some much-needed information about the health of coral reefs and the extent to which our oceans are being littered with trash. Yes, you heard that correctly: Bryson left yesterday, July 1, with some friends to begin a three-year journey during which he will mostly be documenting the presence of garbage both in the sea and washed up on beaches.
Conducted through the Queen's Center for Water and the Environment (CWE), the OceanGybe Global Research and Outreach Expedition will, in addition to measuring marine pollution, use modeling to study the effects of bathymetry (ocean topography) on the breaking characteristics of swells. Through his trip, Robertson hopes to help raise awareness about the deteriorating conditions of the world's oceans and to encourage global action to work towards a more environmentally friendly, sustainable future.
“Our voyage will take us through every major ocean on Earth, to some of the most pristine and untouched coasts, but also to some of the most heavily polluted and destroyed ocean environments," said Robertson. "By identifying and displaying the vast effects that pollution has on our oceans, and on those who rely upon the ocean for their livelihood, we hope people will start to realize their personal impact and take more care in how they live their lives on a day-to-day basis."
You can keep track of Bryson's progress through the OceanGybe website. Their journey, starting off in La Paz, Mexico, will take them through the South Pacific island chain and eventually to New Zealand, where they will make a short stop before deciding on their next step.
Via ::PhD student to set sail on study of ocean’s garbage (press release)
See also: ::Up the Citarum, Without a Paddle, ::The Garbage Project, ::Searching for New Life in the Ocean Depths
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"use modeling to study the effects of bathymetry (ocean topography) on the breaking characteristics of swells."
Sounds like he's pretty much going on a three year surf vacation. Though I don't begrudge him at all.
I think this expedition is very timely and important. I just heard news that because of China's blatant disregard for the environment, all of the trash that is dumped into the ocean is floating toward the western seaboard of Korea. I can't imagine how much trash that could be, but I would guess it's a lot. This is in addition to all of the "yellow dust" that has flown eastward from dust-covered lands in China. Yellow dust covers almost the entire Korean peninsula and causes severe health problems especially for those that have breathing ailments. Although China has attempted to plant treas in those areas, it has not helped much. Good luck and have a safe and productive journey!
Almost every where in my sightings irrespective of sea,beaches,rivers,lagoons.I have have found people find it easy to dump any thing to water bodies .
Starts from house hold items ,hotels situated on the small river banks,to the major idustries situated there.Also people throwing pet bottles,plastic covers and what ever they have in hand.
Corporation is directly pouring sewage to "calicut" beach kerala,india,that too with out treatment where thousands gather in the same beach during almost every day.
Also tourism industries flouished duing the past decade have contributed much to the southern cost of India(kerala),where lagoons are plenty .
Perspective of people who view it easy to dump any thing in water bodies need to be changed.
What can we do to this menace?
I think this type of voyage could really help in the long run. It is important for ocean pollution to become more visible and tangible, which hopefully, this journey will be able to conquer. Best case scenario, they will be able to influence water pollution through both the legal and social routes. I will certainly be tracking their efforts!