How large is the plastic island in the Pacific Ocean?
Great Pacific garbage patch
The patch is not easily seen from the sky, because the plastic is dispersed over a large area. Researchers from The Ocean Cleanup project claimed that the patch covers 1.6 million square kilometers. The plastic concentration is estimated to be up to 100 kilograms per square kilometer in the center, going down to 10 kilograms per square kilometer in the outer parts of the patch. An estimated 80,000 metric tons of plastic inhabit the patch, totaling 1.8 trillion pieces. 92% of the mass in the patch comes from objects larger than 0.5 centimeters.[4]
Isla Gatun, Panama
Isla Gatun is a private island located in the middle of the Panama Canal in the southwest of Gatun Lake, which is the largest man-made lake in the world. The island has an area of . The island is ringed with trees and foliage but the center is barren. There are no known indigenous humans residing on the island; however, small animals such as monkeys, parrots, toucans and tapirs do inhabit the island. The island is currently for sale for the price of $30,000; however, the island is not titled much like 95% of the Panamanian islands and is only available with a Right of Possession. Isla Gatun is 820m northwest of the small fishing village Arenosa. The village Arenosa also has a small marina, restaurants, and cell phone reception.