Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Microplastics concentration in deep sea sediments in the northeast Atlantic Ocean margins collected with an ROV aboard RV Celtic Explorer from 2019-08-03 to 2019-08-19 (NCEI Accession 0277496)

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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 kg-1 d.w.) concentration in deep sea sediments in the northeast Atlantic Ocean margins. Microplastics data was collected from 2019-08-03 to 2019-08-19 using a remotely operated vehicle aboard RV Celtic Explorer. This dataset contains the results from all 40 sampling efforts, in a spreadsheet format.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Nash, Róisín; Joyce, Haleigh; Pagter, Elena; Frias, João; Guinan, Janine; Healy, Louise; Kavanagh, Fiona; Deegan, Malcolm; O’Sullivan, David (2023). Microplastics concentration in deep sea sediments in the northeast Atlantic Ocean margins collected with an ROV aboard RV Celtic Explorer from 2019-08-03 to 2019-08-19 (NCEI Accession 0277496). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0277496. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0277496

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	2019-08-03 to 2019-08-19
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -14.483739 East: -10.18805 South: 48.034797 North: 51.959419
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.
Nash R, Joyce H, Pagter E, Frias J, Guinan J, Healy L, Kavanagh F, Deegan M, O’Sullivan D. Deep Sea Microplastic Pollution Extends Out to Sediments in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean Margins. Environmental Science and Technology.2023 Jan 10;57(1):201-213.
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c05926
  journal article

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2023-04-17
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: ERWNCY
Purpose	These data were collected in order to determine the microplastic concentrations in deep sea sediments in the northeast Atlantic Ocean margins from 2019-08-03 to 2019-08-19
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: Nash, Róisín; Joyce, Haleigh; Pagter, Elena; Frias, João; Guinan, Janine; Healy, Louise; Kavanagh, Fiona; Deegan, Malcolm; O’Sullivan, David (2023). Microplastics concentration in deep sea sediments in the northeast Atlantic Ocean margins collected with an ROV aboard RV Celtic Explorer from 2019-08-03 to 2019-08-19 (NCEI Accession 0277496). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0277496. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Nash, Róisín Atlantic Technological University Joyce, Haleigh Pagter, Elena Frias, João Guinan, Janine Healy, Louise Kavanagh, Fiona Deegan, Malcolm O’Sullivan, David
Contributors	Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Resource Providers	Róisín Nash Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University (MSU)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Offshore Reef Project − SeaROVER (MB/2019/05 (LO’D)) Related Funding Agency: European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Marine Biodiversity Scheme (MB/2019/09 (LO’D))

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 Atlantic Technological University NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Atlantic Technological University
Platform keywords	NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Celtic Explorer Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords Ships ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes Celtic Explorer (call sign: EIGB, ICES code: 45CE, 2003) Provider Platform Names ROVs RV Celtic Explorer
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS sediment sampler - corer Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords SEDIMENT CORERS > SEDIMENT CORERS Provider Instruments Remotely operated vehicle
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Northeast Atlantic Ocean (limit-40 W) Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0277496

Use Constraints	Cite as: Nash, Róisín; Joyce, Haleigh; Pagter, Elena; Frias, João; Guinan, Janine; Healy, Louise; Kavanagh, Fiona; Deegan, Malcolm; O’Sullivan, David (2023). Microplastics concentration in deep sea sediments in the northeast Atlantic Ocean margins collected with an ROV aboard RV Celtic Explorer from 2019-08-03 to 2019-08-19 (NCEI Accession 0277496). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0277496. 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	2023-04-17T21:53:28Z - NCEI Accession 0277496 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0277496 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0277496 v1.1 (download) published 2023-04-17T21:53:28Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: pieces kg-1 d.w.; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Remotely operated vehicle; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The study site was divided largely into seven sites, namely, the southwest Porcupine Bank (PB), Hovland Mound Province (HVP), Belgica Mound Province (including the Belgica Mound Province) (BMP), Gollum Channel System (GCS), Goban Spur (GS), Grand Sole Drainage Basin (including Whittard Canyon, Brenot Spur, Shamrock System) (GSDB), and an area within the Celtic Sea continental shelf termed “Kerry province” (KP). Sediment samples were gathered opportunistically during the CE19015 research survey using the Marine Institute’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV), “Holland 1” on the RV Celtic Explorer between 3 and 19 August 2019. The survey area surrounding the sediment sampling locations (hereinafter stations) was previously identified as being areas of primarily muddy sediment, based on seabed survey data from INFOMAR (Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource). Fifty-two transects, totaling 87 h, surveying, sampling, and recording HD video were carried out over an area of 104 km of seafloor. The ROV was flown along a predetermined transect line 1−2 m above the seabed where underwater positional information was recorded using an Ultra Short Baseline (USBL) system. Real-time visual observation of video data acquired during the deployment was facilitated using the software package an Ocean Floor Observation Protocol (OFOP). Sediment samples for microplastic analysis were taken at 40 of the sampling stations along the ocean margins at depths ranging from 147 m off the southwest Irish coast (shelf samples) to deep sea stations found at depths greater than 500 m to a maximum of 2998 m in the Seabight Basin. The samples were acquired as part of the SeaRover Project (Sensitive Ecosystem Assessment & ROV Exploration of Reef). The ROV Holland 1 has two manipulator arms for sample collection and deployed a 30 cm long hollow Perspex tube with a diameter of 8 cm to collect deep sea sediment. The top 5 cm from the first core was carefully recovered with a clean metal trowel and placed into decontaminated glass jars for MP analysis. A second core was collected for granulometric analysis, with each sample being stored in a sealable plastic bag. All samples were placed in a freezer (−20 °C) in an upright position until processing. Samples were removed from the freezer and washed with ultrapure water (18 MΩ) into metal trays where they were covered in aluminum foil and dried in an oven at 40 degrees Celsius for approximately 7 days. The dry sediment was weighed and transferred into decontaminated glass jars. Heavy liquid separation using 410 g of sodium tungstate (Na2WO4·2H2O) solution mixed with 1000 mL of ultrapure water (40% w/w 1.4 g/cm3), was used to separate the MPs from the sediment. The solution was stored in an opaque STARSTEDT plastic bottle to prevent any reaction with glass coating. Sodium tungstate solution was added to the sediment (a ratio of 3:1) and stirred continuously for 2 min. The sample was then covered with aluminum foil to prevent contamination and left to settle for 24 h. After the settling period, the supernatant containing floating MPs was pipetted out of the jars through a Buchner funnel and filtered using a filtration vacuum pump (VCP130) through 47 mm Whatman (GF/C) glass microfiber filter paper (1.2 μm particle retention). After all of the liquid was filtered, the walls of the filtration device were rinsed down using a small amount of sodium tungstate solution to avoid diluting the solution and to retrieve any particles left on the walls of the funnel. Filter papers were placed into closed sterile Petri dishes to dry at ambient temperature until analysis. After each sample, the supernatant sodium tungstate solution was poured back into the sample mixed and left to settle for 24 h, this process was repeated three times. Between samples, the filtration funnel was rinsed using ultrapure water to reduce contamination. Filter papers were visually examined for MPs under a stereomicroscope (Olympus SZX10) and a QImaging Retiga 2000R digital camera. For all identified particles, the area or length and width were measured manually with ImageProPlus where type (e.g., fiber, fragment, etc.) and color were also recorded. The type of MP was also recorded. The particles that were identified as possible MPs were transferred onto blank sterile Petri dishes where photographs and measurements were taken for MP color, size, and polymer characterization. All suspected MPs were removed and identified with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer using a Brucker Hyperion 2000 series with a mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector controlled with OPUS 7.8 software. Spectra for each individual microplastic were recorded at 128 scans and characterized using the JPI Oceans BASEMAN polymer library. Prior to the analysis of each MP, background scans were carried out.; Data Quality Method: Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) was implemented wherever possible while on board the research cruise; however, there is a small possibility of airborne contamination from the ship crew during transfer to the glass jars. Metal instruments were used to transfer samples into peracid-washed glassware (nitric acid). Cross-contamination within the laboratory was reduced by wearing a 100% cotton lab coat and nitrile gloves at all times. All glassware was decontaminated using a 10% nitric acid bath under a fume hood and rinsed well three times using ultrapure water (18 mΩ, 0.2 μm POU filter) prior to use. Daily airborne controls were set up using a Whatman GF/C filter paper (47 mm o; 1.2 μm pore size) in a Petri dish for processing, filtering, and observing for the monitoring of airborne particles. All glassware was covered with aluminum foil when on the bench to avoid contamination. Ultrapure water blanks were run every day where 1 L of the ultrapure water to be used was vacuum filtered and examined for any contamination. Sodium tungstate (Na2WO4·2H2O) solution was prefiltered, and blanks of the Na2WO4·2H2O solution were run on the filtered liquid to ensure there was no contamination. Airborne contamination blanks were placed at workstations and examined at the end of the processing period each day..

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: pieces kg-1 d.w.; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Remotely operated vehicle; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The study site was divided largely into seven sites, namely, the southwest Porcupine Bank (PB), Hovland Mound Province (HVP), Belgica Mound Province (including the Belgica Mound Province) (BMP), Gollum Channel System (GCS), Goban Spur (GS), Grand Sole Drainage Basin (including Whittard Canyon, Brenot Spur, Shamrock System) (GSDB), and an area within the Celtic Sea continental shelf termed “Kerry province” (KP). Sediment samples were gathered opportunistically during the CE19015 research survey using the Marine Institute’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV), “Holland 1” on the RV Celtic Explorer between 3 and 19 August 2019. The survey area surrounding the sediment sampling locations (hereinafter stations) was previously identified as being areas of primarily muddy sediment, based on seabed survey data from INFOMAR (Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource). Fifty-two transects, totaling 87 h, surveying, sampling, and recording HD video were carried out over an area of 104 km of seafloor. The ROV was flown along a predetermined transect line 1−2 m above the seabed where underwater positional information was recorded using an Ultra Short Baseline (USBL) system. Real-time visual observation of video data acquired during the deployment was facilitated using the software package an Ocean Floor Observation Protocol (OFOP). Sediment samples for microplastic analysis were taken at 40 of the sampling stations along the ocean margins at depths ranging from 147 m off the southwest Irish coast (shelf samples) to deep sea stations found at depths greater than 500 m to a maximum of 2998 m in the Seabight Basin. The samples were acquired as part of the SeaRover Project (Sensitive Ecosystem Assessment & ROV Exploration of Reef). The ROV Holland 1 has two manipulator arms for sample collection and deployed a 30 cm long hollow Perspex tube with a diameter of 8 cm to collect deep sea sediment. The top 5 cm from the first core was carefully recovered with a clean metal trowel and placed into decontaminated glass jars for MP analysis. A second core was collected for granulometric analysis, with each sample being stored in a sealable plastic bag. All samples were placed in a freezer (−20 °C) in an upright position until processing. Samples were removed from the freezer and washed with ultrapure water (18 MΩ) into metal trays where they were covered in aluminum foil and dried in an oven at 40 degrees Celsius for approximately 7 days. The dry sediment was weighed and transferred into decontaminated glass jars. Heavy liquid separation using 410 g of sodium tungstate (Na2WO4·2H2O) solution mixed with 1000 mL of ultrapure water (40% w/w 1.4 g/cm3), was used to separate the MPs from the sediment. The solution was stored in an opaque STARSTEDT plastic bottle to prevent any reaction with glass coating. Sodium tungstate solution was added to the sediment (a ratio of 3:1) and stirred continuously for 2 min. The sample was then covered with aluminum foil to prevent contamination and left to settle for 24 h. After the settling period, the supernatant containing floating MPs was pipetted out of the jars through a Buchner funnel and filtered using a filtration vacuum pump (VCP130) through 47 mm Whatman (GF/C) glass microfiber filter paper (1.2 μm particle retention). After all of the liquid was filtered, the walls of the filtration device were rinsed down using a small amount of sodium tungstate solution to avoid diluting the solution and to retrieve any particles left on the walls of the funnel. Filter papers were placed into closed sterile Petri dishes to dry at ambient temperature until analysis. After each sample, the supernatant sodium tungstate solution was poured back into the sample mixed and left to settle for 24 h, this process was repeated three times. Between samples, the filtration funnel was rinsed using ultrapure water to reduce contamination. Filter papers were visually examined for MPs under a stereomicroscope (Olympus SZX10) and a QImaging Retiga 2000R digital camera. For all identified particles, the area or length and width were measured manually with ImageProPlus where type (e.g., fiber, fragment, etc.) and color were also recorded. The type of MP was also recorded. The particles that were identified as possible MPs were transferred onto blank sterile Petri dishes where photographs and measurements were taken for MP color, size, and polymer characterization. All suspected MPs were removed and identified with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer using a Brucker Hyperion 2000 series with a mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector controlled with OPUS 7.8 software. Spectra for each individual microplastic were recorded at 128 scans and characterized using the JPI Oceans BASEMAN polymer library. Prior to the analysis of each MP, background scans were carried out.; Data Quality Method: Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) was implemented wherever possible while on board the research cruise; however, there is a small possibility of airborne contamination from the ship crew during transfer to the glass jars. Metal instruments were used to transfer samples into peracid-washed glassware (nitric acid). Cross-contamination within the laboratory was reduced by wearing a 100% cotton lab coat and nitrile gloves at all times. All glassware was decontaminated using a 10% nitric acid bath under a fume hood and rinsed well three times using ultrapure water (18 mΩ, 0.2 μm POU filter) prior to use. Daily airborne controls were set up using a Whatman GF/C filter paper (47 mm o; 1.2 μm pore size) in a Petri dish for processing, filtering, and observing for the monitoring of airborne particles. All glassware was covered with aluminum foil when on the bench to avoid contamination. Ultrapure water blanks were run every day where 1 L of the ultrapure water to be used was vacuum filtered and examined for any contamination. Sodium tungstate (Na2WO4·2H2O) solution was prefiltered, and blanks of the Na2WO4·2H2O solution were run on the filtered liquid to ensure there was no contamination. Airborne contamination blanks were placed at workstations and examined at the end of the processing period each day..

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	sediment sampler - corer
Platform	Celtic Explorer

Last Modified: 2023-04-18T14:13:55Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Microplastics concentration in deep sea sediments in the northeast Atlantic Ocean margins collected with an ROV aboard RV Celtic Explorer from 2019-08-03 to 2019-08-19 (NCEI Accession 0277496)

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