http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldworldworld/3314227532/ Not only is the infamous Pacific Garbage Patch (or gyre as it is properly known) possibly much larger than previously estimated, an Atlantic counterpart has been discovered.
In more local news, your orders of fried clams this summer might get a little expensive. Researchers have warned that New England may experience major red tide events this year.
Lastly, a potentially positive piece: California is considering “un-grand-fathering” power plants permits to dump waste heat into coastal waters.
Saw this on PBS World the other day, excellent coverage of the gyre from 2007!