Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Microplastic concentrations in Mexican beaches from 2018-04-08 to 2018-07-17 (NCEI Accession 0278270)

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This study estimated the concentration of surface microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm, reported in unit of pieces/m2) in Mexican beaches from 2018-04-08 to 2018-07-17. Microplastic data were collected using a PVC cylinder. This dataset contains the results from all 330 beach sand samples, in a spreadsheet format.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Alvarez-Zeferino, Juan Carlos; Ojeda-Benítez, Sara; Cruz-Salas, Arely Areanely; Martínez-Salvador, Carolina; Vázquez-Morillas, Alethia (2023). Microplastic concentrations in Mexican beaches from 2018-04-08 to 2018-07-17 (NCEI Accession 0278270). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0278270. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0278270

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	2018-04-08 to 2018-07-17
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -116.926193 East: -87.065838 South: 15.663106 North: 32.232574
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.
Alvarez-Zeferino JC, Ojeda-Benítez S, Cruz-Salas AA, Martínez-Salvador C, Vázquez-Morillas A. Microplastics in Mexican beaches. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020 Apr 01; 155, 104633.
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104633
  journal article

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2023-05-16
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: HKP7PB
Purpose	These microplastic concentration data were collected in order to determine the abundance of microplastics in Mexican beach sands from 2018-04-08 to 2018-07-17.
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: Alvarez-Zeferino, Juan Carlos; Ojeda-Benítez, Sara; Cruz-Salas, Arely Areanely; Martínez-Salvador, Carolina; Vázquez-Morillas, Alethia (2023). Microplastic concentrations in Mexican beaches from 2018-04-08 to 2018-07-17 (NCEI Accession 0278270). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0278270. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Alvarez-Zeferino, Juan Carlos Ojeda-Benítez, Sara Cruz-Salas, Arely Areanely Martínez-Salvador, Carolina Vázquez-Morillas, Alethia Metropolitan Autonomous University
Contributors	Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM)
Resource Providers	Alethia Vázquez-Morillas Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University (MSU)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS microplastic concentration NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ laboratory analyses 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 Metropolitan Autonomous University NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Metropolitan Autonomous University
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer sediment sieve Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords FTIR SPECTROMETER > Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer GRANULOMETRIC SIEVES Provider Instruments PVC cylinder
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Gulf of California Gulf of Mexico North Pacific Ocean Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MEXICO OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN Provider Place Names Pacific Ocean
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0278270

Use Constraints	Cite as: Alvarez-Zeferino, Juan Carlos; Ojeda-Benítez, Sara; Cruz-Salas, Arely Areanely; Martínez-Salvador, Carolina; Vázquez-Morillas, Alethia (2023). Microplastic concentrations in Mexican beaches from 2018-04-08 to 2018-07-17 (NCEI Accession 0278270). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0278270. 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	2023-05-16T20:20:28Z - NCEI Accession 0278270 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0278270 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0278270 v1.1 (download) published 2023-05-16T20:20:28Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: pieces/m2; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: PVC cylinder; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The Mexican shoreline is 11,122 km long. Seventeen of the 32 states of the country have direct access to the sea. The national coast has been divided into five marine regions: Pacific Northwestern, Gulf of California, Tropical Pacific, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. For this study, at least three beaches of each region were selected. The selection was based on the following criteria: sandy beaches, with touristic activity, a minimal length of 100 m, at least at one kilometer from docks, easy access, and good safety conditions. Field sampling activities took place from April to July 2018. Samples were taken along the high tide line, where sediments and microplastics tend to accumulate. A 100m segment was chosen and marked with a rope, which was extended parallel to the high tide line. Ten sampling points were randomly selected along the line, using the app Aleatorio UX®, which produced integer numbers between one and 527 (527=100 m/0.19 m; 0.19m is the diameter of the sampler. The position of each point was located in the rope, and then projected through a perpendicular line to the high tide line. Samples were taken with a polyvinyl chloride cylinder (19 cm diameter and 5 cm depth). It was sunk until its upper edge reached the surface of the sand. Then, the sampler containing a fixed volume of sand was extracted by inserting a stainless-steel sheet under it. The samples were wrapped in foil and put into bags to be transported to the lab. The microplastics reported in this research are in the range of 0.5–5 mm. Each sample was weighed, dried in an oven (105 °C, 24 h) and weighed again. It was considered that the drying temperature would not affect the structure or composition of microplastics, as common plastics have a melting point above 115 °C. Microplastics were extracted by flotation. The dried sand was passed through a #16 mesh sieve (1.13 mm). The materials retained in the mesh were submerged in a CaCl2 solution with ρ≈1.6 g/ml. The solution was mixed for one minute and allowed to settle for one minute. Floating particles were extracted with stainless steel tweezers, washed with distilled water and dried for two hours at 60 °C. The microplastics found in each sampling point were counted and their total mass was weighted. Chemical composition was analyzed in all the microplastics in the 2−5mm range by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in a Spectrum Two FT-IRL-160000A, 160,000 F Perkin Elmer. The measurements were done in the 400–4000 cm-1 range, with a resolution of 4 cm-1 and 32 scans.; Data Quality Method: Fragments of shells and biogenic wastes can be mistaken as microplastics. To avoid false positives, the extracted particles were put in contact first with an acidic solution (HCl 0.5 N) to eliminate shells and then with an oxidant solution (30 % v/v H2O2), to identify and remove organic matter. To avoid contamination of the sample glass and metal tools and receptacles were used, to avoid direct contact of the samples with plastic surfaces..

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: pieces/m2; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: PVC cylinder; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The Mexican shoreline is 11,122 km long. Seventeen of the 32 states of the country have direct access to the sea. The national coast has been divided into five marine regions: Pacific Northwestern, Gulf of California, Tropical Pacific, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. For this study, at least three beaches of each region were selected. The selection was based on the following criteria: sandy beaches, with touristic activity, a minimal length of 100 m, at least at one kilometer from docks, easy access, and good safety conditions. Field sampling activities took place from April to July 2018. Samples were taken along the high tide line, where sediments and microplastics tend to accumulate. A 100m segment was chosen and marked with a rope, which was extended parallel to the high tide line. Ten sampling points were randomly selected along the line, using the app Aleatorio UX®, which produced integer numbers between one and 527 (527=100 m/0.19 m; 0.19m is the diameter of the sampler. The position of each point was located in the rope, and then projected through a perpendicular line to the high tide line. Samples were taken with a polyvinyl chloride cylinder (19 cm diameter and 5 cm depth). It was sunk until its upper edge reached the surface of the sand. Then, the sampler containing a fixed volume of sand was extracted by inserting a stainless-steel sheet under it. The samples were wrapped in foil and put into bags to be transported to the lab. The microplastics reported in this research are in the range of 0.5–5 mm. Each sample was weighed, dried in an oven (105 °C, 24 h) and weighed again. It was considered that the drying temperature would not affect the structure or composition of microplastics, as common plastics have a melting point above 115 °C. Microplastics were extracted by flotation. The dried sand was passed through a #16 mesh sieve (1.13 mm). The materials retained in the mesh were submerged in a CaCl2 solution with ρ≈1.6 g/ml. The solution was mixed for one minute and allowed to settle for one minute. Floating particles were extracted with stainless steel tweezers, washed with distilled water and dried for two hours at 60 °C. The microplastics found in each sampling point were counted and their total mass was weighted. Chemical composition was analyzed in all the microplastics in the 2−5mm range by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in a Spectrum Two FT-IRL-160000A, 160,000 F Perkin Elmer. The measurements were done in the 400–4000 cm-1 range, with a resolution of 4 cm-1 and 32 scans.; Data Quality Method: Fragments of shells and biogenic wastes can be mistaken as microplastics. To avoid false positives, the extracted particles were put in contact first with an acidic solution (HCl 0.5 N) to eliminate shells and then with an oxidant solution (30 % v/v H2O2), to identify and remove organic matter. To avoid contamination of the sample glass and metal tools and receptacles were used, to avoid direct contact of the samples with plastic surfaces..

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer sediment sieve

Last Modified: 2023-05-17T04:59:46Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Microplastic concentrations in Mexican beaches from 2018-04-08 to 2018-07-17 (NCEI Accession 0278270)

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