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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Surface microplastics concentration in the global ocean collected by the Oceaneye Association from 2011-08-31 to 2021-10-05 (NCEI Accession 0276422)

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This dataset contains surface microplastics (i.e., plastics measuring less than 5mm, reported in unit of pieces/m^3) concentration in the global ocean collected by the Oceaneye Association. Microplastics data was collected from 2011-08-31 to 2021-10-05 using manta nets by several trained volunteer groups and Citizen Scientists. This dataset contains the results from all 802 sampling efforts, in a spreadsheet format.
  • Cite as: Faure, Florian; Saini, Camille; Potter, Gaël; Galgani, François; de Alencastro, Luiz Felippe; Hagmann, Pascal (2023). Surface microplastics concentration in the global ocean collected by the Oceaneye Association from 2011-08-31 to 2021-10-05 (NCEI Accession 0276422). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0276422. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0276422
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Distribution Formats
  • Excel
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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 2011-08-31 to 2021-10-05
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -53.7567
North: 78.9732
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • The NOAA NCEI Global Marine Microplastics Database (1972-present)
    • NCEI Collection
      Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • Faure F, Saini C, Potter G, Galgani F, de Alencastro LF, Hagmann P. An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea. Environmental Science Pollution Research. 2015 Apr 19; 22:12190-12197.
    • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2023-01-26
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: YMXDHP
Purpose These data were collected in order to determine the surface microplastics concentrations in the global ocean from 2011-08-31 to 2021-10-05
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: Faure, Florian; Saini, Camille; Potter, Gaël; Galgani, François; de Alencastro, Luiz Felippe; Hagmann, Pascal (2023). Surface microplastics concentration in the global ocean collected by the Oceaneye Association from 2011-08-31 to 2021-10-05 (NCEI Accession 0276422). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0276422. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Related Funding Agency: Oceaneye Association
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Provider Place Names
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Pacific Ocean
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Faure, Florian; Saini, Camille; Potter, Gaël; Galgani, François; de Alencastro, Luiz Felippe; Hagmann, Pascal (2023). Surface microplastics concentration in the global ocean collected by the Oceaneye Association from 2011-08-31 to 2021-10-05 (NCEI Accession 0276422). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0276422. 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
  • 2023-01-26T05:45:38Z - NCEI Accession 0276422 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: MICROPLASTIC CONCENTRATION (measured); Units: pieces/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Manta net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Surface ocean microplastics samples were collected by several trained volunteer groups and Citizen Scientists using manta nets from different sailboats with a length ranging from 10 to 33 m. The manta trawl was placed on the windward side of the ship at a distance of 2.0 m off the hull to avoid any wake effect of the ship. The net had a mesh size of 0.33 mm, and the size of the inlet flow rectangular opening was 0.6 m × 0.15 m. The samples were collected at a target speed of 1.5 m/s (3.0 knots) in wind conditions between 0 and 10.3 m/s (20.0 knots). The duration of the trawls ranged from 30 to 90 min. Until 2014, the distance covered during such trawls was evaluated by the GPS distance traveled between the net launch and the net exit. From 2015, the nets were equipped with a mechanical flow meter (Hydrobios 438 110). Between 2011 and 2014, the particles in the collector were transferred and stored in tube bottles in water saturated by salt at room temperature and protected from exposure to light (only for Oceaneye expeditions). As of 2015, in order to avoid any handling errors by the volunteers, the participating sailboats were equipped with one cod-end per sample. After a sample collection, every cod-end and its contents were wrung out, loaded with salt, sealed in a hermetic food bag and stored at room temperature and protected from exposure to light. During data analysis, samples were first sieved through 5 mm, 1 mm and 300 μm sieves, to separate mesoparticles from bigger and smaller microparticles, and rinsed with water. The resulting filtrate was placed in Petri dishes, and observed through a stereo microscope. All particles were visually identified, and separated from plankton.; Data Quality Method: Sixty-one particles were analyzed using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) in order to confirm their polymeric identity. Particle characterization was performed using an Agilent Cary 630 ATR-FTIR spectrometer, based at the Chimiscope of University of Geneva (https://scienscope.unige.ch/chimiscope/). The infrared spectra were processed and analyzed using Agilent MicroLab software. Polymer identification was performed by comparison with a commercial library. Sample spectra were compared to this database and only matches > 72% with reference spectra were accepted as verified polymers. The results show a polymer identification rate of 89%..
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • Manta net
Last Modified: 2023-07-09T15:01:40Z
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