The simulation of marine plastic debris distribution based on cellular automata

Marine plastic debris is becoming increasingly serious marine pollutant. Based on the comparative positions of marine of plastic debris and marine current movement and in order to describe and comprehend the extent, density and distribution of the plastic debris in the gyre, the cellular automata model was introduced to analyze the marine plastic debris distribution. Through simulating, the cellular automata model perfectly and truly presented the moving process and the final distribution of plastic debris in the North Pacific Ocean. At the same time, the influence of dumping quantity and dumping place of the plastic debris on the final distribution is presented. The method has a good inspiration on helping to prevent and treat marine plastic garbage.