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Microplastics abundance in a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy), during 2020-09-05 to 2020-09-06 (NCEI Accession 0291179)

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This study estimated the abundance of microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm, reported in units of items/kg d.w for sediment samples and items/L for water samples) in four sampling sites in a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy), during 2020-09-05 to 2020-09-06. Sediment samples were collected with a glass jar while water samples were collected with a glass jar and plankton net, for examination of microplastics. This dataset contains the results from all 6 samples, in a spreadsheet format.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Romano, Elena; Bergamin, Luisa; Di Bella, Letizia; Baini, Matteo; Berto, Daniela; D'Ambrosi, Andrea; Di Fazio, Melania; Galli, Matteo; Medeghini, Laura; Panti, Cristina; Provenzani, Claudio; Rampazzo, Federico; Fossi, Maria Cristina (2024). Microplastics abundance in a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy), during 2020-09-05 to 2020-09-06 (NCEI Accession 0291179). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0291179. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0291179

Full Text · XML

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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	2020-09-05 to 2020-09-06
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: 9.62345 East: 9.62345 South: 40.24604 North: 40.24604
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation

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Descriptive Information
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Associated Resources

The NOAA NCEI Global Marine Microplastics Database (1972-present)
- NCEI Collection
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Romano, E., Bergamin, L., Di Bella, L., Baini, M., Berto, D., D’Ambrosi, A., Di Fazio, M., Galli, M., Medeghini, L., Panti, C., Provenzani, C., Rampazzo, F., & Fossi, M. C. (2023). First record of microplastic in the environmental matrices of a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 186, 114452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114452
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114452
  related journal article

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2024-04-25
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: 1RP301
Purpose	These microplastic concentrations data were collected in order to determine their abundance in a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy), during 2020-09-05 to 2020-09-06
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: Romano, Elena; Bergamin, Luisa; Di Bella, Letizia; Baini, Matteo; Berto, Daniela; D'Ambrosi, Andrea; Di Fazio, Melania; Galli, Matteo; Medeghini, Laura; Panti, Cristina; Provenzani, Claudio; Rampazzo, Federico; Fossi, Maria Cristina (2024). Microplastics abundance in a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy), during 2020-09-05 to 2020-09-06 (NCEI Accession 0291179). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0291179. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Romano, Elena Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research Bergamin, Luisa Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research Di Bella, Letizia Sapienza University of Rome Baini, Matteo University of Siena Berto, Daniela Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research D'Ambrosi, Andrea BigBlueXplorers ASD Di Fazio, Melania Sapienza University of Rome Galli, Matteo University of Siena Medeghini, Laura Sapienza University of Rome Panti, Cristina University of Siena Provenzani, Claudio BigBlueXplorers ASD Rampazzo, Federico Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research Fossi, Maria Cristina University of Siena
Contributors	Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)
Resource Providers	Elena Romano Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University; Northern Gulf Institute (NGI)
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 Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer microscope net - plankton net Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords FTIR SPECTROMETER > Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer MICROSCOPES > MICROSCOPES PLANKTON NETS Provider Instruments glass jar
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Mediterranean Sea Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0291179

Use Constraints	Cite as: Romano, Elena; Bergamin, Luisa; Di Bella, Letizia; Baini, Matteo; Berto, Daniela; D'Ambrosi, Andrea; Di Fazio, Melania; Galli, Matteo; Medeghini, Laura; Panti, Cristina; Provenzani, Claudio; Rampazzo, Federico; Fossi, Maria Cristina (2024). Microplastics abundance in a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy), during 2020-09-05 to 2020-09-06 (NCEI Accession 0291179). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0291179. 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	2024-04-25T00:52:11Z - NCEI Accession 0291179 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0291179 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0291179 v1.1 (download) published 2024-04-25T00:52:11Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/kg d.w; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: glass jar; Sampling and Analyzing Method: This study was conducted to investigate for the first time the presence of microplastics (MP) in sediment and water, of a marine cave in the Gulf of Orosei (Sardinia, Italy). The latitude and longitude coordinates in the data file represents the coordinates at the entrance of the cave. Sampling was carried out in September 2020 by GUE (Global Underwater Explorers) divers. Four stations, two in the outer sector of the North Branch and two in the Middle one, with possible contributions from different sources, were selected for sampling. Sediment samples were collected in both sectors, and physical parameters were measured. The surface sediments (0–2 cm) were manually collected at each station by divers to analyze microplastics; the sample volume for each aliquot was 50 cc, except for MPs where it was used, to avoid potential contamination, a glass jar of 500 mL. For detecting the MPs in the water, two different methods were applied; in the North Branch, a Nansen-type plankton net, 500 × 1200 mm and a mesh opening of 100 μm, was dragged horizontally by the divers for 60 m in length (between stations 4 and 6). Subsequently, the net was carefully rinsed to recover the adhered material by sliding the water towards the bottom of the screen where a filter paper with a retention capacity of 2–4 μm, had been placed. In the other branch, a single water sample (a glass jar of 1000 mL), at the interface with the sediments, was collected at station SED_6c. MP samples were stored at 4 ◦C until the laboratory analysis. Microplastic detection in sediment samples (avg. weight 400 g) was performed following a standardized methodology that requires the use of NaCl [1.2 g cm-3] density separation. The solution was filtered onto a 0.45 μm filter paper disk by vacuum pump using a decontaminated glass bottle apparatus before use to avoid any potential MPs contamination from the salt (Sigma-Aldrich CAS number: 7647-14-5). The density of the solution was checked through a salinometer. The hypersaline solution was added to each sample in a 1:4 ratio (total weight of sediment sample — mL of NaCl), then the samples were stirred every 2 h and settled overnight. The supernatant, which theoretically contains the plastic items, was filtered through 8 μm cellulose nitrate filters (GVS 1215456 MicronSep™, Filtration Membrane). Water samples were directly filtered through the 8 μm cellulose nitrate filters and inspected for MP detection and characterization. The obtained filters were inspected under a stereomicroscope (OPTIKA SZN-6 stereomicroscope); images of each plastic observed were collected by a digital camera linked to the microscope (OPTIKAM FAST3 – 4083.F33). The chemical composition of the isolated microplastics larger than 200 μm was evaluated through Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Each particle was scanned 16 times using an Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrophotometer. The spectrum obtained was processed using the Agilent Micro Lab FTIR software and compared to a database of reference spectra to identify the polymers. Only results that showed >80 % overlap was accepted. Items with properties similar to those of plastic polymers (i.e., color, regularity of shape, surface texture, ductility, and fracture strength) but too small to be chemically analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy were isolated and tested using the hot needle technique. Experimental blanks were performed to evaluate possible crossover contamination during air exposure in the laboratory.; Data Quality Method: FTIR analyses were performed to confirm plastics. A Thermo Nicolet iS50 FTIR spectrometer, coupled with a Continuum IR microscope, was equipped with a liquid nitrogen-cooled MCT-A (mercury cadmium telluride) detector. The analyses were performed using a 15× objective, the background was acquired on the diamond cell close to the sample before each spectrum, and a minimum of three points were analyzed for each specimen. The spectral range was set at 4000–650 cm-1, at the spectral resolution of 8 cm-1, and 40 scans were accumulated for each spectrum. Finally, the spectra were processed using the Omnic Picta software.. Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/L; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: net - plankton net.

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/kg d.w; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: glass jar; Sampling and Analyzing Method: This study was conducted to investigate for the first time the presence of microplastics (MP) in sediment and water, of a marine cave in the Gulf of Orosei (Sardinia, Italy). The latitude and longitude coordinates in the data file represents the coordinates at the entrance of the cave. Sampling was carried out in September 2020 by GUE (Global Underwater Explorers) divers. Four stations, two in the outer sector of the North Branch and two in the Middle one, with possible contributions from different sources, were selected for sampling. Sediment samples were collected in both sectors, and physical parameters were measured. The surface sediments (0–2 cm) were manually collected at each station by divers to analyze microplastics; the sample volume for each aliquot was 50 cc, except for MPs where it was used, to avoid potential contamination, a glass jar of 500 mL. For detecting the MPs in the water, two different methods were applied; in the North Branch, a Nansen-type plankton net, 500 × 1200 mm and a mesh opening of 100 μm, was dragged horizontally by the divers for 60 m in length (between stations 4 and 6). Subsequently, the net was carefully rinsed to recover the adhered material by sliding the water towards the bottom of the screen where a filter paper with a retention capacity of 2–4 μm, had been placed. In the other branch, a single water sample (a glass jar of 1000 mL), at the interface with the sediments, was collected at station SED_6c. MP samples were stored at 4 ◦C until the laboratory analysis. Microplastic detection in sediment samples (avg. weight 400 g) was performed following a standardized methodology that requires the use of NaCl [1.2 g cm-3] density separation. The solution was filtered onto a 0.45 μm filter paper disk by vacuum pump using a decontaminated glass bottle apparatus before use to avoid any potential MPs contamination from the salt (Sigma-Aldrich CAS number: 7647-14-5). The density of the solution was checked through a salinometer. The hypersaline solution was added to each sample in a 1:4 ratio (total weight of sediment sample — mL of NaCl), then the samples were stirred every 2 h and settled overnight. The supernatant, which theoretically contains the plastic items, was filtered through 8 μm cellulose nitrate filters (GVS 1215456 MicronSep™, Filtration Membrane). Water samples were directly filtered through the 8 μm cellulose nitrate filters and inspected for MP detection and characterization. The obtained filters were inspected under a stereomicroscope (OPTIKA SZN-6 stereomicroscope); images of each plastic observed were collected by a digital camera linked to the microscope (OPTIKAM FAST3 – 4083.F33). The chemical composition of the isolated microplastics larger than 200 μm was evaluated through Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Each particle was scanned 16 times using an Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrophotometer. The spectrum obtained was processed using the Agilent Micro Lab FTIR software and compared to a database of reference spectra to identify the polymers. Only results that showed >80 % overlap was accepted. Items with properties similar to those of plastic polymers (i.e., color, regularity of shape, surface texture, ductility, and fracture strength) but too small to be chemically analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy were isolated and tested using the hot needle technique. Experimental blanks were performed to evaluate possible crossover contamination during air exposure in the laboratory.; Data Quality Method: FTIR analyses were performed to confirm plastics. A Thermo Nicolet iS50 FTIR spectrometer, coupled with a Continuum IR microscope, was equipped with a liquid nitrogen-cooled MCT-A (mercury cadmium telluride) detector. The analyses were performed using a 15× objective, the background was acquired on the diamond cell close to the sample before each spectrum, and a minimum of three points were analyzed for each specimen. The spectral range was set at 4000–650 cm-1, at the spectral resolution of 8 cm-1, and 40 scans were accumulated for each spectrum. Finally, the spectra were processed using the Omnic Picta software..
Parameter or Variable: microplastic concentration (measured); Units: items/L; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: net - plankton net.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer microscope net - plankton net

Last Modified: 2024-05-02T11:56:58Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Microplastics abundance in a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy), during 2020-09-05 to 2020-09-06 (NCEI Accession 0291179)

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