Information on Marine Debris
Definition | Types and Components | Sources | Movement | Impacts
Popular Topics: Great Pacific Garbage Patch | Plastic Debris | Frequently Asked Questions
Publications: Reports from NOAA, scienctific journals, non-peer reviewed literature, and international sources.
Contact Us: If you have a specific question on marine debris, feel free to contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov.
Definition
Marine debris is any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.
Types and Components
Marine debris can come in many forms, from a plastic soda bottle to a derelict vessel. Types and components of marine debris include plastics, glass, metal, Styrofoam, rubber, derelict fishing gear, and derelict vessels. To learn more about these click here.
Sources
Marine debris comes from two main sources, the land and the ocean. Activities in both areas contribute to marine debris. To learn more about the sources of marine debris click here.
Movement
Floatable marine debris moves with ocean currents and winds, sometimes being carried far from its origin. To learn more about this click here.
Impacts
The impacts of marine debris are wide ranging. From being an eyesore on a beach to stopping a 400 ton vessel at sea, marine debris is a problem that we cannot ignore. To learn more about the various impacts of marine debris click here.
