Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Microplastics concentration collected from MRV Scotia, MRV Alba na Mara, and RV Sir John Murray in sea surface waters around Scotland from 2014-01-06 to 2020-01-18 (NCEI Accession 0259692)

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This study estimated the load of surface microplastics in the surface waters around Scotland from 2014-01-06 to 2020-01-18. Microplastics data were collected using neuston net aboard MRV Scotia, MRV Alba na Mara and RV Sir John Murray. This dataset contains the results from all 398 surface net tows, in a spreadsheet format.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Russell, Marie; Webster, Lynda (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from MRV Scotia, MRV Alba na Mara, and RV Sir John Murray in sea surface waters around Scotland from 2014-01-06 to 2020-01-18 (NCEI Accession 0259692). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0259692. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0259692

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	2014-01-06 to 2020-01-18
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -14.5775 East: 1.65017 South: 54.57067 North: 61.13017
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. Microplastics in sea surface waters around Scotland https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112210 journal article Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data): gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2022-09-27 revision: 2023-04-06
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: GY7KLK. In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number.
Purpose	These data were collected in order to determine the microplastics concentrations in sea surface waters around Scotland.
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: Russell, Marie; Webster, Lynda (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from MRV Scotia, MRV Alba na Mara, and RV Sir John Murray in sea surface waters around Scotland from 2014-01-06 to 2020-01-18 (NCEI Accession 0259692). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0259692. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Russell, Marie Marine Scotland Science Webster, Lynda
Contributors	Marine Scotland Science (MSS)
Resource Providers	Marie Russell Marine Scotland Science (MSS) Marine Scotland Science (MSS)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University (MSU)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: Marine Scotland Science, fund # ROAME ST014

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS microplastic concentration NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ 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 Marine Scotland Science NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Marine Scotland Science
Platform keywords	Provider Platform Names MRV Alba na Mara MRV Scotia RV Sir John Murray
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Neuston net Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords NEUSTON NET Provider Instruments Neuston net
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Inner Sea - West Coast Scotland Irish Sea and St. George's Channel North Atlantic Ocean North Sea Norwegian Sea Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > IRISH SEA OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH SEA OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORWEGIAN SEA Provider Place Names Scotland
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0259692

Use Constraints	Cite as: Russell, Marie; Webster, Lynda (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from MRV Scotia, MRV Alba na Mara, and RV Sir John Murray in sea surface waters around Scotland from 2014-01-06 to 2020-01-18 (NCEI Accession 0259692). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0259692. 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	2022-09-27T21:26:33Z - NCEI Accession 0259692 v1.1 was published. Rationale: Access to this revision of this accession has been limited, and full and open access is not available at this time. As acknowledged in NOAA Administrative Order 212-15, some data archived at NCEI may have specific access constraints that are mutually agreed upon and documented by the Data Producer / Data Provider and NCEI. 2023-04-06T16:40:05Z - NCEI Accession 0259692 was revised and v2.2 was published. Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0259692 v2.2 NCEI Accession 0259692 v2.2 (download) published 2023-04-06T16:40:05Z

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

2022-09-27T21:26:33Z - NCEI Accession 0259692 v1.1 was published.
Rationale: Access to this revision of this accession has been limited, and full and open access is not available at this time. As acknowledged in NOAA Administrative Order 212-15, some data archived at NCEI may have specific access constraints that are mutually agreed upon and documented by the Data Producer / Data Provider and NCEI.
2023-04-06T16:40:05Z - NCEI Accession 0259692 was revised and v2.2 was published.
Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.

Output Datasets

NCEI Accession 0259692 v2.2
- NCEI Accession 0259692 v2.2 (download)
  published 2023-04-06T16:40:05Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: MICROPLASTIC CONCENTRATION (measured); Units: pieces/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Neuston net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Sea surface water samples were collected with a 335 µm neuston net mounted on a catamaran swimmer body from January 2014 up to and including January 2020 using Marine Scotland Sciences’ research vessels MRVs Scotia and Alba na Mara and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency vessel the RV Sir John Murray. The catamaran was towed clear of the ships wake with the net sampling the upper 10 cm of the sea surface. Towing times varied from 9 minutes to over 1 hour, depending on the available time and/or sea surface conditions. The average speed of the ship during towing was 5 knots (2.6 ms-1). Once towing was completed the net was rinsed into the cod end and the material in the cod end transferred to a sieve stack consisting of 5 mm and 125 µm aperture sieves and a base pan. The material was rinsed through the 5 mm sieve using fresh water. The material collected in the 125 µm sieve was examined and the microplastic particles collected and counted. Particular care was taken to check for microplastics adhering to larger material such as seaweed. The examination and picking of microplastics was carried out by two people, using a lighted magnifier, as a cross check that everything identified as plastic was collected. Analysts carrying out the procedure wore cotton coveralls or lab coats. To check for contamination during sample processing a blank glass slide covered in double sided sticky tape was positioned in the sample processing area. At the end of each counting session the slide was examined and the number of particles greater than approximately 300 μm were counted. Any particles <300 μm were discounted due to the limitation imposed by the net mesh which was 335 μm. In practice, no blank subtraction was required as no particles >300 μm were recovered from the slides.; Data Quality Method: Post survey, a selection of microparticles were analyzed by microscopy Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (microFTIR) to confirm that they were microplastics. Approximately 5% of the particles were selected for FTIR, the selection being proportional to the count of particles in the categories detailed above, except for polystyrene and film..

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: MICROPLASTIC CONCENTRATION (measured); Units: pieces/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Neuston net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Sea surface water samples were collected with a 335 µm neuston net mounted on a catamaran swimmer body from January 2014 up to and including January 2020 using Marine Scotland Sciences’ research vessels MRVs Scotia and Alba na Mara and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency vessel the RV Sir John Murray. The catamaran was towed clear of the ships wake with the net sampling the upper 10 cm of the sea surface. Towing times varied from 9 minutes to over 1 hour, depending on the available time and/or sea surface conditions. The average speed of the ship during towing was 5 knots (2.6 ms-1). Once towing was completed the net was rinsed into the cod end and the material in the cod end transferred to a sieve stack consisting of 5 mm and 125 µm aperture sieves and a base pan. The material was rinsed through the 5 mm sieve using fresh water. The material collected in the 125 µm sieve was examined and the microplastic particles collected and counted. Particular care was taken to check for microplastics adhering to larger material such as seaweed. The examination and picking of microplastics was carried out by two people, using a lighted magnifier, as a cross check that everything identified as plastic was collected. Analysts carrying out the procedure wore cotton coveralls or lab coats. To check for contamination during sample processing a blank glass slide covered in double sided sticky tape was positioned in the sample processing area. At the end of each counting session the slide was examined and the number of particles greater than approximately 300 μm were counted. Any particles <300 μm were discounted due to the limitation imposed by the net mesh which was 335 μm. In practice, no blank subtraction was required as no particles >300 μm were recovered from the slides.; Data Quality Method: Post survey, a selection of microparticles were analyzed by microscopy Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (microFTIR) to confirm that they were microplastics. Approximately 5% of the particles were selected for FTIR, the selection being proportional to the count of particles in the categories detailed above, except for polystyrene and film..

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	Neuston net

Last Modified: 2024-02-20T20:16:43Z
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Microplastics concentration collected from MRV Scotia, MRV Alba na Mara, and RV Sir John Murray in sea surface waters around Scotland from 2014-01-06 to 2020-01-18 (NCEI Accession 0259692)

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