Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Microplastics abundance in surface water and sediments along the Thoothukudi region, south Tamil Nadu, southeast India, during 2021-01-03 to 2021-12-08 (NCEI Accession 0282701)

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This study estimated the monthly concentration of microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm) in surface water (reported in units of items/L) and sediments (reported in unit of items/kg d.w.) in six sampling sites along the Thoothukudi region, south Tamil Nadu, southeast India, during 2021-01-03 to 2021-12-08. Microplastics in the surface water were collected with a plankton net while those in the sediments were collected using a shovel. This dataset contains the results from all 72 surface water and 72 sediment samples, in a spreadsheet format.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Keerthika, Kalaiselvan; Padmavathy, Pandurangan; Rani, Velu; Jeyashakila, Robinson; Aanand, Samraj; Kutty, Ranjeet (2023). Microplastics abundance in surface water and sediments along the Thoothukudi region, south Tamil Nadu, southeast India, during 2021-01-03 to 2021-12-08 (NCEI Accession 0282701). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0282701. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0282701

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	2021-01-03 to 2021-12-08
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: 78.117547 East: 78.3651 South: 8.493267 North: 9.0765
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.
Keerthika K, Padmavathy P, Rani V, Jeyashakila R, Aanand S, Kutty R. Spatial, seasonal and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in sediment and surface water along the Thoothukudi, south Tamil Nadu, south east India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2022 Sep 22; 194(11), 820.
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10468-z
  related journal article

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2023-09-15
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: LA71JF
Purpose	These microplastic concentrations data were collected in order to determine their monthly abundance in surface water and sediments along the Thoothukudi region, south Tamil Nadu, southeast India, during 2021-01-03 to 2021-12-08.
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: Keerthika, Kalaiselvan; Padmavathy, Pandurangan; Rani, Velu; Jeyashakila, Robinson; Aanand, Samraj; Kutty, Ranjeet (2023). Microplastics abundance in surface water and sediments along the Thoothukudi region, south Tamil Nadu, southeast India, during 2021-01-03 to 2021-12-08 (NCEI Accession 0282701). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0282701. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Keerthika, Kalaiselvan Fisheries College and Research Institute Padmavathy, Pandurangan Rani, Velu Jeyashakila, Robinson Aanand, Samraj Kutty, Ranjeet
Contributors	Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI)
Resource Providers	Kalaiselvan Keerthika Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI) Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University (MSU)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

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 Fisheries College and Research Institute NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Fisheries College and Research Institute
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer microscope net - plankton net sediment sieve Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords FTIR SPECTROMETER > Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer GRANULOMETRIC SIEVES MICROSCOPES > MICROSCOPES PLANKTON NETS Provider Instruments shovel
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Indian Ocean Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > INDIAN OCEAN
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0282701

Use Constraints	Cite as: Keerthika, Kalaiselvan; Padmavathy, Pandurangan; Rani, Velu; Jeyashakila, Robinson; Aanand, Samraj; Kutty, Ranjeet (2023). Microplastics abundance in surface water and sediments along the Thoothukudi region, south Tamil Nadu, southeast India, during 2021-01-03 to 2021-12-08 (NCEI Accession 0282701). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0282701. 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	2023-09-15T22:00:23Z - NCEI Accession 0282701 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0282701 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0282701 v1.1 (download) published 2023-09-15T22:00:23Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/L; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: net - plankton net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: This study was carried out to estimate the amount of microplastics in six sampling sites along the Thoothukudi Region, southeast India. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from the six sampling sites: Vembar (VE), Vellapatti (VP), Threspuram (TH), Spic Nagar (SN), Punnakayal (PN) and Thiruchendur (TC), during the post-monsoon (Jan–Mar), summer (Apr–May), pre-monsoon (Jul–Sept) and monsoon (Oct–Dec) seasons of 2021. Surface water samples were collected at each sampling site by towing a plankton net (mesh size: 48 μm), which was operated at the minimum speed to prevent damage. The samples that settled in the cod end were washed with seawater and transferred to precleaned glass bottles, fixed with formalin at 5% and taken to the laboratory. Sediments from the sampling sites were collected in from a foreshore area by placing a quadrant of 1 m2 size. A shovel was used for collecting the sediment samples of about 3 kg at a depth of 4 cm, and were taken in pre-cleaned glass bottles. The collected sediment and water samples were taken to the laboratory for extraction of microplastics. The extraction of microplastics from the sediments and surface water samples was carried out by adopting the methods that were published previously. The sampled sediment was dried in a hot air oven and sieved with a 500-μm sieve to remove larger particles. After sieving, 100 g of sediment was taken in a 500-ml beaker and 30% hydrogen peroxide was added for the digestion of organic matter. Then, saturated sodium chloride solution was added to the digested sample for the floatation of low-density polymers. The supernatant was filtered with a vacuum filtration unit using Whatman filter paper with pore size of 11 μm. This was followed by the addition of saturated zinc chloride for the floatation of high-density polymers. Again, the supernatant was filtered with the same vacuum filtration unit as earlier. The preserved water samples were digested with 30 ml of 30% H2O2 in 1 l of water. It was then left for 24 h for the digestion of organic matter in the water samples. After digestion, the samples were subjected to density separation with super saturated sodium iodide and left overnight. The supernatant was then filtered as mentioned above. The filter papers obtained from the filtering of sediment and water samples were dried at 40 °C in a hot air oven. The dried filter papers were observed under a stereomicroscope (40 ×) with an eyepiece to observe, measure and quantify microplastics. The polymer composition of the microplastics was investigated using attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the 4000–400 cm−1 spectral range, with 32 scans at a resolution of 4 cm− 1. The identification of polymers was done based on comparing the obtained ATR-FTIR spectrum with the standard reference spectra of the polymers given in earlier reports.; Data Quality Method: Several measures were applied to minimize the potential microplastic contamination during the whole microplastic analysis procedures. To reduce background contamination of microplastics during the analysis, blank experiments were carried out with deionized water in the pre-cleaned beaker. They were then analyzed for the presence of airborne contamination during the investigation, and the results showed the absence of microplastics in the blank samples. To avoid cross contamination, lab coats and surgical gloves were worn during the analysis. The glassware and equipment were washed with distilled water at the start and end of the analysis.. Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/kg dry weight sediment; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: shovel.

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/L; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: net - plankton net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: This study was carried out to estimate the amount of microplastics in six sampling sites along the Thoothukudi Region, southeast India. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from the six sampling sites: Vembar (VE), Vellapatti (VP), Threspuram (TH), Spic Nagar (SN), Punnakayal (PN) and Thiruchendur (TC), during the post-monsoon (Jan–Mar), summer (Apr–May), pre-monsoon (Jul–Sept) and monsoon (Oct–Dec) seasons of 2021. Surface water samples were collected at each sampling site by towing a plankton net (mesh size: 48 μm), which was operated at the minimum speed to prevent damage. The samples that settled in the cod end were washed with seawater and transferred to precleaned glass bottles, fixed with formalin at 5% and taken to the laboratory. Sediments from the sampling sites were collected in from a foreshore area by placing a quadrant of 1 m2 size. A shovel was used for collecting the sediment samples of about 3 kg at a depth of 4 cm, and were taken in pre-cleaned glass bottles. The collected sediment and water samples were taken to the laboratory for extraction of microplastics. The extraction of microplastics from the sediments and surface water samples was carried out by adopting the methods that were published previously. The sampled sediment was dried in a hot air oven and sieved with a 500-μm sieve to remove larger particles. After sieving, 100 g of sediment was taken in a 500-ml beaker and 30% hydrogen peroxide was added for the digestion of organic matter. Then, saturated sodium chloride solution was added to the digested sample for the floatation of low-density polymers. The supernatant was filtered with a vacuum filtration unit using Whatman filter paper with pore size of 11 μm. This was followed by the addition of saturated zinc chloride for the floatation of high-density polymers. Again, the supernatant was filtered with the same vacuum filtration unit as earlier. The preserved water samples were digested with 30 ml of 30% H2O2 in 1 l of water. It was then left for 24 h for the digestion of organic matter in the water samples. After digestion, the samples were subjected to density separation with super saturated sodium iodide and left overnight. The supernatant was then filtered as mentioned above. The filter papers obtained from the filtering of sediment and water samples were dried at 40 °C in a hot air oven. The dried filter papers were observed under a stereomicroscope (40 ×) with an eyepiece to observe, measure and quantify microplastics. The polymer composition of the microplastics was investigated using attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the 4000–400 cm−1 spectral range, with 32 scans at a resolution of 4 cm− 1. The identification of polymers was done based on comparing the obtained ATR-FTIR spectrum with the standard reference spectra of the polymers given in earlier reports.; Data Quality Method: Several measures were applied to minimize the potential microplastic contamination during the whole microplastic analysis procedures. To reduce background contamination of microplastics during the analysis, blank experiments were carried out with deionized water in the pre-cleaned beaker. They were then analyzed for the presence of airborne contamination during the investigation, and the results showed the absence of microplastics in the blank samples. To avoid cross contamination, lab coats and surgical gloves were worn during the analysis. The glassware and equipment were washed with distilled water at the start and end of the analysis..
Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/kg dry weight sediment; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: shovel.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer microscope net - plankton net sediment sieve

Last Modified: 2023-09-20T12:23:08Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Microplastics abundance in surface water and sediments along the Thoothukudi region, south Tamil Nadu, southeast India, during 2021-01-03 to 2021-12-08 (NCEI Accession 0282701)

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