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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Surface plastic debris collected from SSV Robert C. Seamans in Eastern Pacific Ocean from 2001-10-12 to 2012-12-20 (NCEI Accession 0211008)

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Data contains floating plastic debris in the eastern North and South Pacific Oceans from more than 2500 plankton net tows conducted between 2001 and 2012. From these data, the researchers defined an accumulation zone (25 to 41°N, 130 to 180°W) in the North Pacific subtropical gyre that closely corresponds to centers of accumulation resulting from the convergence of ocean surface currents.
  • Cite as: Lavender Law, Kara; Morét-Ferguson, Skye; Goodwin, Deborah; Zettler, Erik; DeForce, Emelia; Kukulka, Tobia; Proskurowski, Giora (2020). Surface plastic debris collected from SSV Robert C. Seamans in Eastern Pacific Ocean from 2001-10-12 to 2012-12-20 (NCEI Accession 0211008). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211008. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0211008
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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 2001-10-12 to 2012-12-20
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -150.79
East: -117.18
South: -17.11
North: 32.42
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.
  • Distribution of surface plastic debris in the eastern Pacific Ocean from an 11-year dataset
  • Lavender Law, Kara; Morét-Ferguson, Skye; Maximenko, Nikolai; Proskurowski, Giora; Peacock, Emily; Hafner, Jan; Reddy, Christopher (2020). Plastic collected from SSV Corwith Cramer in North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre from 1986-10-15 to 2008-12-20 (NCEI Accession 0211007). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211007.
  • Adventure Scientists (2020). Microplastics collected from Adventure Scientists-global microplastic volunteer initiative in Global Ocean from 2013-07-01 to 2017-03-30 (NCEI Accession 0211009). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211009.
    • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2020-07-10
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: 35F99T
Purpose The 11 year data series was used to determine spatial patterns in the distribution of floating plastic debris, to evaluate three oceanographic numerical models of variable design that predict accumulation patterns of surface debris, and to investigate temporal changes in the average amount of debris in the region of highest concentration.
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: Lavender Law, Kara; Morét-Ferguson, Skye; Goodwin, Deborah; Zettler, Erik; DeForce, Emelia; Kukulka, Tobia; Proskurowski, Giora (2020). Surface plastic debris collected from SSV Robert C. Seamans in Eastern Pacific Ocean from 2001-10-12 to 2012-12-20 (NCEI Accession 0211008). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211008. Accessed [date].
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Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Provider Keywords
  • Surface Plastic Debris
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Provider Instruments
  • Net tow
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Provider Place Names
  • Eastern Pacific Ocean
Project keywords Provider Project Names
  • Surface plastic debris in the eastern Pacific Ocean
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Lavender Law, Kara; Morét-Ferguson, Skye; Goodwin, Deborah; Zettler, Erik; DeForce, Emelia; Kukulka, Tobia; Proskurowski, Giora (2020). Surface plastic debris collected from SSV Robert C. Seamans in Eastern Pacific Ocean from 2001-10-12 to 2012-12-20 (NCEI Accession 0211008). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211008. 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.
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  • 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
  • 2020-07-10T19:05:15Z - NCEI Accession 0211008 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: Surface Plastic Debris (measured); Units: pieces/km2; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Net tow; Sampling and Analyzing Method: 2529 plankton net tows were conducted using a rectangular neuston net (335-μm mesh, 0.5 × 1.0 m mouth) towed at the air-sea interface for 30 min at a nominal speed of 2 knots (3.7 km h−1). Lavender Law K., Moret-Ferguson S., Goodwin D. S., Zettler E. R., DeForce E. and Kukulka T., Proskurowski G. (2014). Distribution of surface plastic debris in the eastern Pacific Ocean from an 11-year dataset. Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI: 10.1021/es4053076; Data Quality Method: Visual inspection, comparison with published data..
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • net - plankton net
Platform
  • SSV ROBERT C. SEAMANS
Last Modified: 2024-03-28T12:46:43Z
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