Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Marine microplastics concentrations in waters around Australia from 2011-06-10 to 2012-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0252260)

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This study estimated the concentration of marine plastics in waters around Australia using surface Neuston and Manta net tows. Data was collected during seven transit voyages aboard Australian vessels. The study undertook three consecutive 15-minute net tows at 57 locations. The 839 marine plastics recorded during the study were predominantly small fragments (i.e. ‘‘microplastics’’, median length = 2.8 mm, mean length = 4.9 mm) resulting from the breakdown of larger objects made of polyethylene and polypropylene (e.g. packaging and fishing items).

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Reisser, Julia; Shaw, Jeremy; Wilcox, Chris; Hardesty, Britta Denise; Proietti, Maira; Thums, Michele; Pattiaratchi, Charitha (2022). Marine microplastics concentrations in waters around Australia from 2011-06-10 to 2012-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0252260). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0252260. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0252260

Full Text · XML

Download Data	HTTPS (download) Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. FTP (download) These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
Distribution Formats	Excel
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov

Time Period	2011-06-10 to 2012-08-25
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: 113.91275 East: 176.50677 South: -43.57728 North: -10.74822
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation

NCEI Dataset Landing Page
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.
Descriptive Information
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.

Associated Resources

The NOAA NCEI Global Marine Microplastics Database (1972-present)
- NCEI Collection
  Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
Marine Plastic Pollution in Waters around Australia: Characteristics, Concentrations, and Pathways
- Marine Plastic Pollution in Waters around Australia: Characteristics, Concentrations, and Pathways
  journal article

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2022-05-06
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Complete - production of the data has been completed Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency	As needed
Supplemental Information	Submission Package ID: FJM26N
Purpose	These microplastics data were collected in order to characterize, estimate the concentrations, determine accumulation zones and transport pathways of marine plastics in waters around Australia.
Use Limitations	accessLevel: Public Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.

Dataset Citation	Cite as: Reisser, Julia; Shaw, Jeremy; Wilcox, Chris; Hardesty, Britta Denise; Proietti, Maira; Thums, Michele; Pattiaratchi, Charitha (2022). Marine microplastics concentrations in waters around Australia from 2011-06-10 to 2012-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0252260). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0252260. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Reisser, Julia University of Western Australia Shaw, Jeremy Wilcox, Chris Hardesty, Britta Denise Proietti, Maira Thums, Michele Pattiaratchi, Charitha
Contributors	University of Western Australia (UWA)
Resource Providers	Julia Reisser University of Western Australia (UWA) University of Western Australia (UWA)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University (MSU)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: University of Western Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS microplastic concentration NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ WMO_CategoryCode oceanography Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > WATER QUALITY > SEA SURFACE CONTAMINANTS > MICROPLASTIC CONCENTRATION
Data Center keywords	NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS University of Western Australia NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS University of Western Australia
Platform keywords	NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Solander SOUTHERN SURVEYOR Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords Ships ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes SOLANDER (call sign: VMQ9273, ICES code: 09CX) SOUTHERN SURVEYOR (call sign: VLHJ, ICES code: 09SS, 1988-2014) Provider Platform Names Comac Enterprise
Instrument keywords	Provider Instruments Neuston net; Manta net
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Arafura Sea Coral Sea Great Australian Bight Indian Ocean South Pacific Ocean Tasman Sea Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > INDIAN OCEAN OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH CHINA AND EASTERN ARCHIPELAGIC SEAS Provider Place Names Australia
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0252260

Use Constraints	Cite as: Reisser, Julia; Shaw, Jeremy; Wilcox, Chris; Hardesty, Britta Denise; Proietti, Maira; Thums, Michele; Pattiaratchi, Charitha (2022). Marine microplastics concentrations in waters around Australia from 2011-06-10 to 2012-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0252260). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0252260. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints	Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees	In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	2022-05-06T21:48:14Z - NCEI Accession 0252260 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0252260 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0252260 v1.1 (download) published 2022-05-06T21:48:14Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: MICROPLASTIC CONCENTRATION (measured); Units: pieces/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Neuston net; Manta net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Data was collected from seven transit voyages aboard Australian vessels using Neuston and Manta nets tows. Three consecutive 15-minute net tows were done at 57 locations while the ship was travelling at a speed of 2 – 4 knots. After each net tow, the collected material was transferred to a container filled with seawater. Each plastic piece was picked up with forceps and placed in a graduated dish to be counted, measured (length), photographed and classified into type and color.; Data Quality Method: A random sample of 200 plastic pieces was selected for polymer composition analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Data on these random sample of 200 plastic pieces are not included in this package..

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: MICROPLASTIC CONCENTRATION (measured); Units: pieces/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Neuston net; Manta net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Data was collected from seven transit voyages aboard Australian vessels using Neuston and Manta nets tows. Three consecutive 15-minute net tows were done at 57 locations while the ship was travelling at a speed of 2 – 4 knots. After each net tow, the collected material was transferred to a container filled with seawater. Each plastic piece was picked up with forceps and placed in a graduated dish to be counted, measured (length), photographed and classified into type and color.; Data Quality Method: A random sample of 200 plastic pieces was selected for polymer composition analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Data on these random sample of 200 plastic pieces are not included in this package..

Acquisition Information (collection)
Platform	Solander SOUTHERN SURVEYOR

Last Modified: 2023-03-15T01:15:53Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Marine microplastics concentrations in waters around Australia from 2011-06-10 to 2012-08-25 (NCEI Accession 0252260)

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