In first year Marine Science, we are currently studying oceanic circulation and the garbage patches that exist within the major oceanic gyres. One way that we thought we could have a positive impact was by collecting garbage from a local beach and preventing it from adding to the problem in the North Pacific gyre.
On Thursday 24 January and Friday 25 January first year marine scientists did a beach clean-up at Esquimalt Lagoon.
D block, Thursday
B block, Friday
We sorted and quantified what we found…
and the data are summarized below for Thursday 24 January:
| Type of garbage |
Number |
| Styrofoam bits |
147 |
| Plastic pieces |
413 |
| Straws / stirrers |
41 |
| Caps, lids |
93 |
| Coffee cups |
6 |
| Coffee cup lids |
5 |
| Plastic utensils |
11 |
| Lollipop sticks |
6 |
| Food wrappers |
44 |
| Plastic beverage bottles |
13 |
| Glass beverage bottles |
2 |
| Bags |
12 |
| Balloons |
5 |
| Rope |
22 |
| Nets |
2 |
| Cigarettes / filters |
7 |
| Tobacco packs / wrappers |
7 |
| Lighters |
4 |
| Syringes |
1 |
| Tampons / applicators |
21 |
| Clothing |
3 |
| Shoes |
2 |
| Shotgun shells |
55 |
| Toys |
8 |
| Pen |
4 |
| Wood |
3 |
| Beverage cans |
2 |
| Ball |
3 |
| Ceramic bowl |
1 |
| Hanger |
2 |
| Comb |
5 |
| Glowstick |
1 |
| Ear plug |
2 |
| Golf tee |
1 |
| Mussel disc |
2 |
| Sunglasses case |
1 |
| Hair elastic |
1 |
and for Friday 25 January:
| Type of garbage |
Number |
| Styrofoam bits |
Infinite! |
| Plastic pieces |
216 |
| Straws / stirrers |
24 |
| Caps, lids |
46 |
| Coffee cups |
4 |
| Coffee cup lids |
3 |
| Plastic utensils |
9 |
| Lollipop sticks |
9 |
| Food wrappers |
35 |
| Plastic beverage bottles |
6 |
| Glass beverage bottles |
2 |
| Bags |
1 |
| Balloons |
2 |
| Rope |
16 |
| Nets |
1 |
| Cigarettes / filters |
30 |
| Tobacco packs / wrappers |
13 |
| Lighters |
1 |
| Syringes |
1 |
| Tampons / applicators |
12 |
| Clothing |
3 |
| Shoes |
1 |
| Shotgun shells |
19 |
| Toys |
13 |
| Fishing floats & pieces |
16 |
| Fireworks |
3 |
| Beverage cans |
2 |
| Wood |
2 |
| Elastic band |
1 |
| Light bulb |
2 |
| Duct tape |
5 |
| Glow stick |
1 |
| Golf balls |
3 |
| Ear plug |
1 |
| Metal hoop |
1 |
| Desiccant packet |
1 |
Students brought some of the garbage back to Pearson College and produced some works of art with a message.
Tags: beach clean-up, Esquimalt Lagoon, garbage, plastic, plastic pollution, year 39
Pearson College Marine Science 
January 30, 2013 at 3:40 pm |
Very cool, you guys! I’m proud of you and pretty impressed with your recycled art!