WARMUP!!!!! (activity #4)

In an average day, how many PLASTIC water bottles do you think you throw away? Where do you think

they all go?

Ever heard of this….

GOALS

• Assess the ecological damage to the marine environment from pollution sources, including plastics.

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!

• Take a look at the picture below and explain how plastic might be impacting marine animals?

ALBATROSS EAT THE PLASTIC…

YOUR TASK: The Fate of the AlbatrossAlbatross chicks of various species are washing up dead across the Pacific, with massive amounts of plastic inside their stomachs. With albatross numbers greatly declining, researchers need to determine which species are at the greatest risk.

-GROUPS OF 2: -Part 1: On your Map:PLOT THE LOCATION OF THE EASTERN GARBAGE PATCH-PLOT THE MOVEMENTS OF TWO ALBATROSS SPECIES

Which species is at a greater risk for ingesting plastic?Back up your conclusion with data:FACTORS TO CONSIDER:# of days in Eastern Garbage PatchProportion of time spent in the Eastern Garbage Patch

-Part 2: In your notebook:

WARMUP!!!• What does this graph tell you about the amount of plastic being produced

in the world? Why is this trend occurring?

GOALS

• Assess the ecological damage to the marine environment from pollution sources, including plastics.

• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of plastics

Which albatross was at a greater risk of ingesting plastic?

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!

We know that plastics are accumulating in the Pacific Garbage Patch. But what types of plastics are accumulating? Where are

these plastics coming from?

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!

YOUR TASK: Mapping Plastic Pollution• Groups of 2: Each group is going to get plastic debris.

• PART 1: In your map– Map the Origin of the plastics on your map

• PART 2: In your notebook– Then answer the analysis questions

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!• What TRENDS did you notice in the types of

plastics, location etc?

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!Examine the currents near the Garbage Patch. Why does the Plastic

end up here?

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!• Plastics make up a small percent of garbage, but

the garbage patch is almost entirely plastic. Why?

• Based on the ocean current maps, is there any other location where a garbage patch could be found? Where?

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!

• Plastics represent a large environmental hazard. Yet humans continue to use them. What are some advantages and disadvantages with the use of plastics?

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!

Plastic Dangers Notes Page 13

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

USE YOUR NOODLE!!!• Do plastic fragments have the potential to

make it into the human food chain? What are some potential effects?

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF WE EAT THE FISH THAT ATE THE PLASTIC?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mor3xRZuKMU