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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Estimations of plastic debris at Maracas Beach, north coast of Trinidad collected from 2015-09-27 to 2016-02-22 (NCEI Accession 0280519)

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This study estimated the amount of microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5 mm; reported in unit of pieces/m2), mesoplastics (i.e. plastics measuring 5-20 mm; reported in unit of counts/m2), macroplastics (i.e. plastics measuring 20-100 mm; reported in unit of counts/m2), and megaplastics (i.e. plastics measuring over 100 mm; reported in unit of counts/m2) in Maracas Beach, a micro-tidal recreational beach located on the north coast of Trinidad. These plastics were collected from 2015-09-27 to 2016-02-22 during multiple beach profile surveys. This dataset contains the results from all 18 beach surveys, in a spreadsheet format.
  • Cite as: Seemungal, Ryan; Darsan, Junior; Wilson, Matthew (2023). Estimations of plastic debris at Maracas Beach, north coast of Trinidad collected from 2015-09-27 to 2016-02-22 (NCEI Accession 0280519). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0280519. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0280519
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  • Excel
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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 2015-09-27 to 2016-02-22
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -61.441728
East: -61.43657
South: 10.758064
North: 10.760339
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • The NOAA NCEI Global Marine Microplastics Database (1972-present)
    • NCEI Collection
      Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • Seemungal R, Darsan J, Wilson M. The influence of coastal geomorphology and human activity on plastic debris distribution on a micro-tidal recreational beach on the north coast of Trinidad. Journal of Coastal Conservation. 2022 May 5; 26, 19.
    • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2023-07-26
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: NETMK9
Purpose These plastic concentration data were collected in order to determine their abundance at Maracas Beach, north coast of Trinidad, during 2015-09-27 to 2016-02-22
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: Seemungal, Ryan; Darsan, Junior; Wilson, Matthew (2023). Estimations of plastic debris at Maracas Beach, north coast of Trinidad collected from 2015-09-27 to 2016-02-22 (NCEI Accession 0280519). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0280519. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Provider Instruments
  • Hand picking
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Seemungal, Ryan; Darsan, Junior; Wilson, Matthew (2023). Estimations of plastic debris at Maracas Beach, north coast of Trinidad collected from 2015-09-27 to 2016-02-22 (NCEI Accession 0280519). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0280519. 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
  • 2023-07-26T12:49:32Z - NCEI Accession 0280519 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: pieces/m2; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Hand picking; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The field sampling survey was conducted to collect plastics of varying sizes on the Maracas Beach, a micro-tidal recreational beach located on the north coast of Trinidad. To establish a coastal plastic debris collection zone (PDCZ), a pair of beach profiles was placed 30 m apart and was used to create boundaries at each site. A walking pattern was used to collect the observed surface plastic debris from the beach face between the beach profiles. Each form of plastic debris was geotagged using a Garmin eTrex Legend handheld GPS unit. The debris axial lengths, color, additional markings and unique geotagging identification name were all taken in the field. These parameters were used to develop a plastic distribution shapefile for analysis. The debris were retained for laboratory analysis. Using visual inspection, the collected debris with identifiable markings, branding, recycling codes or a combination of unique characteristics was used to determine the debris identity. The debris chemical identity was determined through contacting and liaising with manufacturers and distributors once their product could be identified within the PDCZ. The plastics were classified as micro- (≤5 mm), meso- (>5 − 20 mm), macro- (>20-100 mm) and mega-plastics (>100 mm) based on their axial size.; Data Quality Method: Quality control measures were adopted to prevent potential cross contamination during the laboratory analyses. The debris items were collected on opposing ends of the beach. During the onsite survey, GPS coordinates and characteristics about the plastic items were recorded. Items were bagged and labelled appropriately for additional analysis. The items being locally borne made it easier to identify what could be identified by visual inspection..
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • GPS
  • sediment sieve
Last Modified: 2023-07-26T15:49:57Z
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