2.6.1.3 Res ults
The plastic accumulation per gyre can be used to normalize
the efficiency results per gyre. It is important to
note that gyres might exchange particles over the course
of time. This effect has been taken into account by this
model, which is why the NPSG continues accumulating
plastic, while the South Indian Gyre plastic concentration
decreases after some time (Figure 2.33).
To find the optimal location for The Ocean Cleanup Array
in the North Pacific Gyre, debris reduction for each possible
location the global was measured. Figure 2.34 vizualizes
an example of the results obtained by using the model.
The example is based on an Array of 350 km length and
0° orientation. The white area in the top right represents
the coast. The obtained efficiencies reach their maximum
at a position relatively close to the coast; in this case over
20% of the global plastic debris can be collected over the
20 years simulation time.