Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Microplastics concentration collected from four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea: Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf, from 2018-09-05 to 2019-11-20 (NCEI Accession 0270528)

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This study was carried out to estimate the microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm, reported in unit of pieces/m^3) concentration in four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, namely, Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf. Microplastics data was collected from 2018-09-05 to 2019-11-20 using manta net. This dataset contains the results from all 71 surface net tows, in a spreadsheet format.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Tsiaras, Kostas; Costa, Elisa; Morgana, Silvia; Gambardella, Chiara; Piazza, Veronica; Faimali, Marco; Minetti, Roberta; Zeri, Christina; Thyssen, Melilotus; Ben Ismail, Sana; Hatzonikolakis, Yannis; Kalaroni, Sofia; Garaventa, Francesca (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea: Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf, from 2018-09-05 to 2019-11-20 (NCEI Accession 0270528). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0270528. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0270528

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	2018-09-05 to 2019-11-20
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: 5.2803 East: 23.68495 South: 33.770319 North: 44.415875
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation

NCEI Dataset Landing Page
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Descriptive Information
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Associated Resources

The NOAA NCEI Global Marine Microplastics Database (1972-present)
- NCEI Collection
  Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
Tsiaras K, Costa E, Morgana S, Gambardella, Piazza V, Faimali M, Minetti R, Zeri C, Tyssen M, Ismail SB, Hatzonikolakis Y, Kalaroni S, Garaventa F. Microplastics in the Mediterranean: Variability From Observations and Model Analysis. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2022 Mar 10;9:784937.
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.784937
  journal article

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2022-11-29
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: 93J4B6
Purpose	These data were collected in order to determine the microplastics concentrations in four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea: Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf.
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: Tsiaras, Kostas; Costa, Elisa; Morgana, Silvia; Gambardella, Chiara; Piazza, Veronica; Faimali, Marco; Minetti, Roberta; Zeri, Christina; Thyssen, Melilotus; Ben Ismail, Sana; Hatzonikolakis, Yannis; Kalaroni, Sofia; Garaventa, Francesca (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea: Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf, from 2018-09-05 to 2019-11-20 (NCEI Accession 0270528). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0270528. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Tsiaras, Kostas Hellenic Centre for Marine Research Costa, Elisa Morgana, Silvia Gambardella, Chiara Piazza, Veronica Faimali, Marco Minetti, Roberta Zeri, Christina Hellenic Centre for Marine Research Thyssen, Melilotus Ben Ismail, Sana Hatzonikolakis, Yannis Kalaroni, Sofia Garaventa, Francesca
Contributors	Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)
Resource Providers	Kostas Tsiaras Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University (MSU)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: European Commission H2020 CLAIM project H2020-BG492 2016–2017 (grant agreement no. 774586)

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 Hellenic Centre for Marine Research NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Manta net Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords NETS > NETS
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Aegean Sea Ligurian Sea Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea - Eastern Basin Mediterranean Sea - Western Basin Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > MEDITERRANEAN SEA Provider Place Names Gabes Gulf Gulf of Lion Saronikos Gulf
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0270528

Use Constraints	Cite as: Tsiaras, Kostas; Costa, Elisa; Morgana, Silvia; Gambardella, Chiara; Piazza, Veronica; Faimali, Marco; Minetti, Roberta; Zeri, Christina; Thyssen, Melilotus; Ben Ismail, Sana; Hatzonikolakis, Yannis; Kalaroni, Sofia; Garaventa, Francesca (2022). Microplastics concentration collected from four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea: Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf, from 2018-09-05 to 2019-11-20 (NCEI Accession 0270528). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0270528. 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	2022-11-29T15:40:34Z - NCEI Accession 0270528 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0270528 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0270528 v1.1 (download) published 2022-11-29T15:40:34Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: MICROPLASTIC CONCENTRATION (measured); Units: pieces/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Manta net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Two sampling campaigns were performed, across four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf), from September 2018 to November 2019, aiming to represent two different seasons, corresponding to autumn/winter (campaign I) and spring/summer (campaign II) when possible. A total of 71 surface water samples were collected using a manta net of different mesh and open mouth size: a 100- and 330-mm manta net (W0.70xH0.40m) in Ligurian Sea and Gulf of Lion, respectively; a 330 mm manta net (W0.60xH0.24m) in Saronikos Gulf and a trawled net (W0.60xH0.20m) mounted with a 200 mm mesh size in Gabes Gulf. During all sampling activities, the manta nets were trawled on the water surface at 1–2 Knots for 10/20 min, kept at a distance of about 50m from the boat to avoid the turbulence induced by the wake of the ship. After each sampling event, all collected samples were then carefully transferred into new plastic bottles (previously rinsed with Milli-Q water) and then appropriately maintained for subsequent laboratory analysis. During sampling and sample handling, all precautionary measures (e.g., carefully cleaning all the equipment used prior to sampling, covering samples and equipment in use) were considered in order to avoid potential environmental contamination. Water samples were analyzed for their plastic content using a stereomicroscope (Olympus SZX7, 8×–56×) with attached digital camera (Nikon, DSL3). All potential particles were directly identified and manually sorted out from the sample.; Data Quality Method: In order to confirm the polymeric nature, all items were identified by a Perkin Elmer Two Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, equipped with Universal ATR (UATR) accessory with a 9-bounce diamond top-plate (wave number range: 4,000 and 450 cm-1 resolutions; 32 scans). After measurement, the spectrum was compared to reference spectra through libraries supplied by Perkin Elmer, with a >70% similarity threshold..

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: MICROPLASTIC CONCENTRATION (measured); Units: pieces/m3; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Manta net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Two sampling campaigns were performed, across four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf), from September 2018 to November 2019, aiming to represent two different seasons, corresponding to autumn/winter (campaign I) and spring/summer (campaign II) when possible. A total of 71 surface water samples were collected using a manta net of different mesh and open mouth size: a 100- and 330-mm manta net (W0.70xH0.40m) in Ligurian Sea and Gulf of Lion, respectively; a 330 mm manta net (W0.60xH0.24m) in Saronikos Gulf and a trawled net (W0.60xH0.20m) mounted with a 200 mm mesh size in Gabes Gulf. During all sampling activities, the manta nets were trawled on the water surface at 1–2 Knots for 10/20 min, kept at a distance of about 50m from the boat to avoid the turbulence induced by the wake of the ship. After each sampling event, all collected samples were then carefully transferred into new plastic bottles (previously rinsed with Milli-Q water) and then appropriately maintained for subsequent laboratory analysis. During sampling and sample handling, all precautionary measures (e.g., carefully cleaning all the equipment used prior to sampling, covering samples and equipment in use) were considered in order to avoid potential environmental contamination. Water samples were analyzed for their plastic content using a stereomicroscope (Olympus SZX7, 8×–56×) with attached digital camera (Nikon, DSL3). All potential particles were directly identified and manually sorted out from the sample.; Data Quality Method: In order to confirm the polymeric nature, all items were identified by a Perkin Elmer Two Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, equipped with Universal ATR (UATR) accessory with a 9-bounce diamond top-plate (wave number range: 4,000 and 450 cm-1 resolutions; 32 scans). After measurement, the spectrum was compared to reference spectra through libraries supplied by Perkin Elmer, with a >70% similarity threshold..

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	Manta net

Last Modified: 2023-08-06T22:35:34Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Microplastics concentration collected from four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea: Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf, from 2018-09-05 to 2019-11-20 (NCEI Accession 0270528)

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