Area of oceans globally
The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world based on surface area, which amounts to about 161.76 million square kilometers. The Pacific Ocean is divided into the North and South Pacific waters which cover about 77 and 84.8 million square kilometers in surface area, respectively.
Ocean Pollution
The Pacific Ocean extends from the Arctic Ocean to the Southern Ocean. Not only is it the largest ocean in the world based on surface area, it is also the largest based on water volume. Unfortunately, over the past several decades, Earth’s oceans have faced dangerous threats from climate change. Both land and ocean surface temperatures have increased since 1980, and have been warmer than usual. The increased use of fossil fuel has caused changes in the pH of surface waters and has led to acidification. However, rising temperatures have not been the only thing that has threatened the Earth’s oceans. Trash that has found its way into the ocean have also damaged these ecosystems. Waste such as single-use grocery bags, water bottles, straws, among other types of single-use plastic that is properly disposed of can end up in the ocean. The consequences of not recycling means that marine life is affected as marine animals get entangled or even swallow these materials. The most common type of microplastics found in the ocean originates from synthetic textiles.
Ocean Pollution
The Pacific Ocean extends from the Arctic Ocean to the Southern Ocean. Not only is it the largest ocean in the world based on surface area, it is also the largest based on water volume. Unfortunately, over the past several decades, Earth’s oceans have faced dangerous threats from climate change. Both land and ocean surface temperatures have increased since 1980, and have been warmer than usual. The increased use of fossil fuel has caused changes in the pH of surface waters and has led to acidification. However, rising temperatures have not been the only thing that has threatened the Earth’s oceans. Trash that has found its way into the ocean have also damaged these ecosystems. Waste such as single-use grocery bags, water bottles, straws, among other types of single-use plastic that is properly disposed of can end up in the ocean. The consequences of not recycling means that marine life is affected as marine animals get entangled or even swallow these materials. The most common type of microplastics found in the ocean originates from synthetic textiles.
