A large floating debris field accumulates in the North Pacific. Which mechanism predominantly explains the formation of this 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch' within a specific oceanic region?

💡 Explanation

Oceanic debris accumulates in the center of gyres because Ekman transport drives surface waters towards the gyre's center, causing convergence and trapping floating materials. Therefore, surface currents cause accumulation, rather than tidal forces or thermohaline circulation, which operate on different scales.

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