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Concentrations of surface microplastics in the Arrábida coastal area, Portugal collected from 2018-08-22 to 2019-02-27 (NCEI Accession 0279324)

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This study estimated the concentration of surface microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm; reported in unit of items/m3) in the Arrábida coastal area, Portugal from 2018-08-22 to 2019-02-27. Microplastics in the surface water were collected using a neuston net. This dataset contains the results from all 36 surface water samples, in a spreadsheet format

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Rodrigues, Diana; Antunes, Joana; Otero, Vanessa; Sobral, Paula; Costa, Maria Helena (2023). Concentrations of surface microplastics in the Arrábida coastal area, Portugal collected from 2018-08-22 to 2019-02-27 (NCEI Accession 0279324). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0279324. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0279324

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	2018-08-22 to 2019-02-27
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -9.14605 East: -8.89348 South: 38.42905 North: 38.5197
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation

NCEI Dataset Landing Page
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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.
Rodrigues, D., Antunes, J., Otero, V., Sobral, P., & Costa, M. H. (2020). Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.582217
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.582217
  journal article

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2023-06-23
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: 8A0WYC
Purpose	These microplastic concentration data were collected in order to determine their abundance in the surface waters of the Arrábida coastal area, Portugal during 2018-08-22 to 2019-02-27
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: Rodrigues, Diana; Antunes, Joana; Otero, Vanessa; Sobral, Paula; Costa, Maria Helena (2023). Concentrations of surface microplastics in the Arrábida coastal area, Portugal collected from 2018-08-22 to 2019-02-27 (NCEI Accession 0279324). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0279324. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Rodrigues, Diana NOVA University Lisbon Antunes, Joana Otero, Vanessa Sobral, Paula Costa, Maria Helena
Contributors	NOVA University Lisbon
Resource Providers	Diana Rodrigues NOVA University Lisbon NOVA University Lisbon
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University; Northern Gulf Institute (NGI)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: National Geographic Society Early Career Grant (EC-397R-18) Related Funding Agency: Foundation for Science and the Technology (JPIOCEANS/0001/2015) Related Funding Agency: Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, PhD grant (SFRH/BD/130652/2017)

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS microplastic concentration NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ laboratory analyses 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 NOVA University Lisbon NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOVA University Lisbon
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer microscope Neuston net Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords FTIR SPECTROMETER > Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer MICROSCOPES > MICROSCOPES NEUSTON NET
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Northeast Atlantic Ocean (limit-40 W) Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN Provider Place Names Atlantic Ocean
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0279324

Use Constraints	Cite as: Rodrigues, Diana; Antunes, Joana; Otero, Vanessa; Sobral, Paula; Costa, Maria Helena (2023). Concentrations of surface microplastics in the Arrábida coastal area, Portugal collected from 2018-08-22 to 2019-02-27 (NCEI Accession 0279324). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0279324. 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	2023-06-23T18:47:27Z - NCEI Accession 0279324 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0279324 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0279324 v1.1 (download) published 2023-06-23T18:47:27Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Neuston net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The study area, located on the west coast of Portugal, encompasses the south-facing coastal area between the city of Setúbal and the village of Sesimbra. It comprises both the mouth of Sado estuary [designated as the transitional water body Sado-WB1and the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park (from its eastern side - Figueirinha beach – until the buffer area contiguous to Sesimbra). The mesotidal homogeneous Sado estuary has a mainly tidally driven flow with an annual average flow of 40 m3s−1. Six sampling campaigns were conducted from August 2018 to February 2019 (summer to winter), at 6 stations. These were located at the 5m isobaths and distributed 5 km apart from each other, from the mouth of Sado estuary through the marine park. In each station, a 30 min neuston trawl was performed in the E-W direction, at a constant speed of 1-3 knots. Initial and final GPS positions were registered and enabled trawl length and area calculations to allow posterior standardization of MP data. Sampling campaigns were specifically scheduled to days with calm weather conditions (Beaufort wind scale ≤3) and tows were performed out of the vessel wake zone (ca 25m behind the vessel). Precautions intended to reduce vertical mixing of buoyant plastic particles and consequently increase the efficiency of the selected equipment (neuston net). The 3m long neuston net (Aquatic Biotechnology) had a stainless steel 0.8 × 0.3m (width × height) rectangular opening and a 335μm polyamide mesh. Its floatation system assured that only half of the opening frame was submerged (therefore collecting MP floating in the top 15 cm of the water column). The flowmeter (Hydro-bios) attached to the lower third of the net opening enabled the calculation of the volume of filtered water. Following each tow, the content in the cod end container was thoroughly poured into a 250 μm stainless steel mesh sieve (where larger pieces of biological material as sticks, seagrass leaves and algae, were rinsed with filtered seawater before being discarded) and then stored in glass jars. A small aliquot (ca 50ml) per sample was collected and preserved separately, in 100ml of 70% ethanol, to allow the identification of neustonic organisms. The neuston samples (n = 36) were transported in ice coolers to the laboratory and then frozen at −20◦C. After thawing, the sample was transferred to a 2 L glass beaker where the biovolume was measured after 1 h of sedimentation. Then, the organic content digestion was performed by adding a 10% KOH solution, with volume equivalent to at least 3 times the sample biovolume. Following the 48 h of digestion at room temperature, density separation was conducted by adding 1 L of a hyper saturated NaCl solution (1.2 g cm−3). After manual stirring, it was left to settle for 1 h before filtration of the supernatant with a vacuum filtration system. After filtration of every 500ml (approx.), the sample was stirred and allowed to settle again before the next filtration. Each filter (MFV2 glass fiber filter with 47mm Ø and 1,0μm pore; FILTER-LAB) was stored in a covered Petri dish until observation under a stereoscopic microscope (LeicaMZ12.5) equipped with a camera (MOTICAM 10+). Particles were measured with the Motic Images Plus 3.0 software, considering the 0.335-5mm size range (the lower limit corresponds to mesh size of the neuston net). The particles selected to follow polymer identification were isolated in covered concave slides. MP concentration was reported as items m−3 and items km−2 to enable comparisons with similar studies. Polymer identification was achieved by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The majority of the particles (mainly between 1 and 5mm) were analyzed in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode. Spectra were acquired using an Agilent Handheld 4300 FTIR Spectrometer with a DTGS detector, with controlled temperature and a diamond ATR sample interface; the analyses were performed at the sample surface. Spectra were acquired with a resolution of 4 cm−1 and 32 scans. For fibers and smaller particles (mainly at the 0.335-1mm size range), analyses were carried out in a Nicolet Nexus spectrophotometer coupled to a Continuμm microscope (15x objective) with an MCT detector. Spectra were collected in transmission mode, with a resolution of 8 cm−1 and 128 scans.; Data Quality Method: Airborne contamination was analyzed by exposing wet filters to the air (procedural controls; blanks), both during field (inside a hanging open glass jar, at the boat deck, one per sampling campaign) and lab work (inside Petri dishes, one at the left and one at the right of the working area, per group of 3 samples). All the fibers extracted from a sample which were similar to those found in the respective blanks (from field and lab work) were excluded from results. Sources of contamination were also minimized both during field and lab work by using glass, stainless steel and aluminum materials. Samples were kept covered at all times, both cotton lab coat and nitrile gloves were always worn, and benches and equipment were rinsed before use with Milli-Q filtered water and ethanol..

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Neuston net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The study area, located on the west coast of Portugal, encompasses the south-facing coastal area between the city of Setúbal and the village of Sesimbra. It comprises both the mouth of Sado estuary [designated as the transitional water body Sado-WB1and the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park (from its eastern side - Figueirinha beach – until the buffer area contiguous to Sesimbra). The mesotidal homogeneous Sado estuary has a mainly tidally driven flow with an annual average flow of 40 m3s−1. Six sampling campaigns were conducted from August 2018 to February 2019 (summer to winter), at 6 stations. These were located at the 5m isobaths and distributed 5 km apart from each other, from the mouth of Sado estuary through the marine park. In each station, a 30 min neuston trawl was performed in the E-W direction, at a constant speed of 1-3 knots. Initial and final GPS positions were registered and enabled trawl length and area calculations to allow posterior standardization of MP data. Sampling campaigns were specifically scheduled to days with calm weather conditions (Beaufort wind scale ≤3) and tows were performed out of the vessel wake zone (ca 25m behind the vessel). Precautions intended to reduce vertical mixing of buoyant plastic particles and consequently increase the efficiency of the selected equipment (neuston net). The 3m long neuston net (Aquatic Biotechnology) had a stainless steel 0.8 × 0.3m (width × height) rectangular opening and a 335μm polyamide mesh. Its floatation system assured that only half of the opening frame was submerged (therefore collecting MP floating in the top 15 cm of the water column). The flowmeter (Hydro-bios) attached to the lower third of the net opening enabled the calculation of the volume of filtered water. Following each tow, the content in the cod end container was thoroughly poured into a 250 μm stainless steel mesh sieve (where larger pieces of biological material as sticks, seagrass leaves and algae, were rinsed with filtered seawater before being discarded) and then stored in glass jars. A small aliquot (ca 50ml) per sample was collected and preserved separately, in 100ml of 70% ethanol, to allow the identification of neustonic organisms. The neuston samples (n = 36) were transported in ice coolers to the laboratory and then frozen at −20◦C. After thawing, the sample was transferred to a 2 L glass beaker where the biovolume was measured after 1 h of sedimentation. Then, the organic content digestion was performed by adding a 10% KOH solution, with volume equivalent to at least 3 times the sample biovolume. Following the 48 h of digestion at room temperature, density separation was conducted by adding 1 L of a hyper saturated NaCl solution (1.2 g cm−3). After manual stirring, it was left to settle for 1 h before filtration of the supernatant with a vacuum filtration system. After filtration of every 500ml (approx.), the sample was stirred and allowed to settle again before the next filtration. Each filter (MFV2 glass fiber filter with 47mm Ø and 1,0μm pore; FILTER-LAB) was stored in a covered Petri dish until observation under a stereoscopic microscope (LeicaMZ12.5) equipped with a camera (MOTICAM 10+). Particles were measured with the Motic Images Plus 3.0 software, considering the 0.335-5mm size range (the lower limit corresponds to mesh size of the neuston net). The particles selected to follow polymer identification were isolated in covered concave slides. MP concentration was reported as items m−3 and items km−2 to enable comparisons with similar studies. Polymer identification was achieved by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The majority of the particles (mainly between 1 and 5mm) were analyzed in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode. Spectra were acquired using an Agilent Handheld 4300 FTIR Spectrometer with a DTGS detector, with controlled temperature and a diamond ATR sample interface; the analyses were performed at the sample surface. Spectra were acquired with a resolution of 4 cm−1 and 32 scans. For fibers and smaller particles (mainly at the 0.335-1mm size range), analyses were carried out in a Nicolet Nexus spectrophotometer coupled to a Continuμm microscope (15x objective) with an MCT detector. Spectra were collected in transmission mode, with a resolution of 8 cm−1 and 128 scans.; Data Quality Method: Airborne contamination was analyzed by exposing wet filters to the air (procedural controls; blanks), both during field (inside a hanging open glass jar, at the boat deck, one per sampling campaign) and lab work (inside Petri dishes, one at the left and one at the right of the working area, per group of 3 samples). All the fibers extracted from a sample which were similar to those found in the respective blanks (from field and lab work) were excluded from results. Sources of contamination were also minimized both during field and lab work by using glass, stainless steel and aluminum materials. Samples were kept covered at all times, both cotton lab coat and nitrile gloves were always worn, and benches and equipment were rinsed before use with Milli-Q filtered water and ethanol..

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer microscope Neuston net

Last Modified: 2024-07-11T13:58:36Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Concentrations of surface microplastics in the Arrábida coastal area, Portugal collected from 2018-08-22 to 2019-02-27 (NCEI Accession 0279324)

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