Henderson Island’s Plastic: An Explanation

Henderson Island, a pristine UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become a significant repository for plastic waste due to the accumulation of debris transported by a broad, permanent surface current. This current, characterized by its high temperature, shallow depth (around 100 meters), and sluggish speed (10-20 cm/sec), flows southeastward past the island, which is located at the midpoint of this extensive warm current spanning over 5000 km along 28 S. The study suggests that understanding the origin of this plastic waste more precisely could potentially mitigate its accumulation on Henderson Island's beaches, offering a path to preserve this unique environment.

Kenyon, K. E. (2017). Henderson Island’s Plastic: An Explanation. Natural Science, 09(06), 159–161. https://doi.org/10.4236/ns.2017.96017