Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Microplastics collected from Adventure Scientists — global microplastic volunteer initiative in Global Ocean from 2013-07-01 to 2017-03-30 (NCEI Accession 0211009)

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The Global Microplastics Initiative of Adventure Scientists conducted surveys of microplastics pollution in aquatic ecosystems from 2013-2017. In this project, Adventure Scientists, in partnership with Ocean Analytics, conducted a Global Microplastics Initiative in order to fill a data gap critical to addressing the problem. The initiative utilized a network of trained volunteers to collect water samples across the world’s oceans. 1,058 volunteer-led expeditions collected 2,677 water samples over four years and spanning each continent and every ocean. The data contain microplastic pieces per L of water.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: 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). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211009. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0211009

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	.xlsx .csv .pdf
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	2013-07-01 to 2017-03-30
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -169.92613 East: 174.135 South: -65.1775 North: 81.09
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.
Marine environment microfiber contamination: Global patterns and the diversity of microparticle origins
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.062
  Journal Article
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). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211008.
- https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211008
  Associated Dataset: Surface plastic debris collected in Eastern Pacific Ocean
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.
- https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211007
  Associated Dataset: Plastic collected in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre
Adventure Scientists - Global Microplastics Initiative
- https://www.adventurescientists.org/microplastics.html
  initiative web site

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: 96BCU7
Purpose	This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
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: 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). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211009. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Adventure Scientists
Contributors	Adventure Scientists
Resource Providers	Ebenezer Nyadjro US DOC; NOAA; NESDIS; National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Mississippi State University (MSU)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University; Northern Gulf Institute (NGI)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS DEBRIS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ WMO_CategoryCode oceanography Provider Keywords Adventure Scientists-Global Microplastic volunteer initiative Microplastics
Data Center keywords	NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Adventure Scientists NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Mississippi State University
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS bottle Provider Instruments 1-L sample bottle
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Arctic Ocean Gulf of Alaska Gulf of California Gulf of Mexico Indian Ocean Mediterranean Sea North Atlantic Ocean North Pacific Ocean South Atlantic Ocean South China Sea (Nan Hai) South Pacific Ocean Southern Ocean Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ARCTIC OCEAN OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MEXICO OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > MEDITERRANEAN SEA OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN > INDIAN OCEAN OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN > GULF OF ALASKA OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH CHINA SEA OCEAN > SOUTHERN OCEAN Provider Place Names Global Ocean
Project keywords	Provider Project Names Adventure Scientists Microplastic Data
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0211009

Use Constraints	Cite as: 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). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0211009. 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	2020-07-10T19:57:15Z - NCEI Accession 0211009 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0211009 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0211009 v1.1 (download) published 2020-07-10T19:57:15Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: Microplastics (measured); Units: Total pieces/L; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: 1-L sample bottle; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The sampling protocol involved water collection in a 1-L sample bottle provided by a volunteer, using the “grab method,” which was adapted from EPA grab sampling protocols.Samples were collected opportunistically from locations in regions where volunteers were visiting for personal travel. This resulted in 2,677 samples being collected for the Global Microplastics Initiative from sites disbursed irregularly around the world.; Data Quality Method: If a microplastic piece could not be confirmed as microplastic under a stereo microscope, it was examined under a compound microscope and subjected to the hot needle test. Microplastics were characterized by size..

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: Microplastics (measured); Units: Total pieces/L; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: 1-L sample bottle; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The sampling protocol involved water collection in a 1-L sample bottle provided by a volunteer, using the “grab method,” which was adapted from EPA grab sampling protocols.Samples were collected opportunistically from locations in regions where volunteers were visiting for personal travel. This resulted in 2,677 samples being collected for the Global Microplastics Initiative from sites disbursed irregularly around the world.; Data Quality Method: If a microplastic piece could not be confirmed as microplastic under a stereo microscope, it was examined under a compound microscope and subjected to the hot needle test. Microplastics were characterized by size..

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	bottle

Last Modified: 2024-04-17T23:53:39Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Microplastics collected from Adventure Scientists — global microplastic volunteer initiative in Global Ocean from 2013-07-01 to 2017-03-30 (NCEI Accession 0211009)

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