Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Microplastics concentration collected from R/V New Horizon and NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in Northeast Pacific Ocean from 1972-04-25 to 2010-10-28 (NCEI Accession 0253448)

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This dataset quantifies the distribution, and abundance of microplastics in the northeastern Pacific. Data was collected aboard R/V New Horizon and NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer using neuston and manta nets and is in a spreadsheet format. This dataset includes the results from 235 tows, collected under different programs over 38 years. The ships traveled at about 18.5 km/hr, with tows spaced approximately 74-111 km apart. Mean concentration of microplastics for the dataset is 2.18 particles/m3.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Goldstein, Miriam; Titmus, Andrew; Ford, Michael (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from R/V New Horizon and NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in Northeast Pacific Ocean from 1972-04-25 to 2010-10-28 (NCEI Accession 0253448). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0253448. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0253448

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	1972-04-25 to 2010-10-28
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -155.067 East: -85.1 South: .183 North: 42.7969
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.
Scales of Spatial Heterogeneity of Plastic Marine Debris in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
- Scales of Spatial Heterogeneity of Plastic Marine Debris in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
  journal article
California Current Ecosystem LTER and M. Goldstein. 2017. Numerical (No m-3) concentrations (mg m-3) of subsurface microplastic debris collected by bongo net aboard the Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition (SEAPLEX) cruise, August 2009. ver 2. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/67b4659a0fc883d40f12849090e1c011
- https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/67b4659a0fc883d40f12849090e1c011
  alternate repository

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2022-05-12
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: F1KAUU
Purpose	These microplastics data were collected in order to determine the scales of spatial heterogeneity of microplastics in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
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: Goldstein, Miriam; Titmus, Andrew; Ford, Michael (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from R/V New Horizon and NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in Northeast Pacific Ocean from 1972-04-25 to 2010-10-28 (NCEI Accession 0253448). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0253448. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Goldstein, Miriam Scripps Institution of Oceanography Titmus, Andrew Ford, Michael
Contributors	University of California - San Diego; Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO)
Resource Providers	Miriam C. Goldstein University of California - San Diego; Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) University of California - San Diego; Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University (MSU)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: University of California Ship Funds Related Funding Agency: Project Kaisei/Ocean Voyages Institute Related Funding Agency: AWIS-San Diego Related Funding Agency: National Science Foundation

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 California - San Diego; Scripps Institution of Oceanography NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS University of California - San Diego; Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Platform keywords	NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS NEW HORIZON NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords Ships ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes NEW HORIZON (call sign: WKWB, ICES code: 32NM, 1978) OKEANOS EXPLORER (call sign: WTDH, ICES code: 334A, 2008) Provider Platform Names NEW HORIZON (call sign WKWB - ICES code 32NM) Okeanos Explorer (call sign WTDH - ICES code 334A)
Instrument keywords	Provider Instruments Manta net Neuston net
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Northeast Pacific Ocean (limit-180) Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN
Project keywords	Provider Project Names Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition (SEAPLEX)
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0253448

Use Constraints	Cite as: Goldstein, Miriam; Titmus, Andrew; Ford, Michael (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from R/V New Horizon and NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in Northeast Pacific Ocean from 1972-04-25 to 2010-10-28 (NCEI Accession 0253448). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0253448. 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	2022-05-12T17:51:26Z - NCEI Accession 0253448 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0253448 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0253448 v1.1 (download) published 2022-05-12T17:51:26Z

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: Microplastics samples were collected using neuston and manta nets with 335 μm mesh size opening. Single, 15 minutes net tows were taken at predetermined times, either every 6 hours (ship local time 0300, 0900, 1500, 2100) or every 3 hours (ship local time 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2100) depending on the ship time available. The ship traveled at 18.5 km/hr, with tows spaced approximately 74–111 km apart. Water volume flowing through the nets were measured with a calibrated General Oceanics analog flowmeter. The samples were fixed in 1.8% formaldehyde buffered with sodium borate. Each net tow sample was sorted for microplastic at 6–126 magnification under a Wild M-5 dissecting microscope, and plastic particles removed for further analysis. Plastic particles were soaked in deionized water to remove salts, dried at 60℃, and stored in a vacuum desiccator. Particles were then digitally imaged with a Zooscan digital scanner with a resolution of 10.6 mm. The total number of particles were measured using NIH ImageJ-based tools in the Zooprocess software, and calibrated against manual measurements.; Data Quality Method: Data Quality Information: A subset sample of 557 plastic particles was selected for polymer composition analysis confirmation by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Data on these random sample of 557 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: Microplastics samples were collected using neuston and manta nets with 335 μm mesh size opening. Single, 15 minutes net tows were taken at predetermined times, either every 6 hours (ship local time 0300, 0900, 1500, 2100) or every 3 hours (ship local time 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2100) depending on the ship time available. The ship traveled at 18.5 km/hr, with tows spaced approximately 74–111 km apart. Water volume flowing through the nets were measured with a calibrated General Oceanics analog flowmeter. The samples were fixed in 1.8% formaldehyde buffered with sodium borate. Each net tow sample was sorted for microplastic at 6–126 magnification under a Wild M-5 dissecting microscope, and plastic particles removed for further analysis. Plastic particles were soaked in deionized water to remove salts, dried at 60℃, and stored in a vacuum desiccator. Particles were then digitally imaged with a Zooscan digital scanner with a resolution of 10.6 mm. The total number of particles were measured using NIH ImageJ-based tools in the Zooprocess software, and calibrated against manual measurements.; Data Quality Method: Data Quality Information: A subset sample of 557 plastic particles was selected for polymer composition analysis confirmation by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Data on these random sample of 557 plastic pieces are not included in this package..

Acquisition Information (collection)
Platform	NEW HORIZON NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

Last Modified: 2023-06-25T16:08:07Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Microplastics concentration collected from R/V New Horizon and NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in Northeast Pacific Ocean from 1972-04-25 to 2010-10-28 (NCEI Accession 0253448)

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