Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Microplastic concentration in Great Barrier Reef from 2020-03-16 to 2020-03-24 (NCEI Accession 0279321)

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This study estimated the concentration of floating microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm; reported in unit of pieces/m3) in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia collected from 2020-03-16 to 2020-03-24. Microplastics in the surface water were collected using a manta net. This dataset contains the results from all 16 surface water samples, in a spreadsheet format.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Carbery, Maddison; Herb, Frithjof; Reynes, Julien; Pham, Christopher; Fong, Wye-Khay; Lehner, Roman (2023). Microplastic concentration in Great Barrier Reef from 2020-03-16 to 2020-03-24 (NCEI Accession 0279321). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0279321. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0279321

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	2020-03-16 to 2020-03-24
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: 148.7168 East: 149.0142 South: -20.36705 North: -20.09775
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.
Carbery M, Herb F, Reynes J, Pham CK, Fong W.-K, Lehner R. How small is the big problem? Small microplastics <300 μm abundant in marine surface waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2022 Oct 04; 184, 114179.
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114179
  journal article

gov.noaa.nodc:NCEI-Marine-Microplastics

Publication Dates	publication: 2023-06-23
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: NCWWEH
Purpose	These microplastic concentration data were collected in order to determine their abundance in the surface waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia during 2020-03-16 to 2020-03-24.
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: Carbery, Maddison; Herb, Frithjof; Reynes, Julien; Pham, Christopher; Fong, Wye-Khay; Lehner, Roman (2023). Microplastic concentration in Great Barrier Reef from 2020-03-16 to 2020-03-24 (NCEI Accession 0279321). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0279321. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Carbery, Maddison Herb, Frithjof Reynes, Julien Pham, Christopher Fong, Wye-Khay Lehner, Roman Sail and Explore Association
Contributors	University of Newcastle
Resource Providers	Roman Lehner Sail and Explore Association Sail and Explore Association
Points of Contact	Ebenezer Nyadjro Mississippi State University; Northern Gulf Institute (NGI)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: Swiss National Science Foundation (grant #190287)

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 University of Newcastle NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Sail and Explore Association
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer Manta net microscope Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords FTIR SPECTROMETER > Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer MICROSCOPES > MICROSCOPES NETS > NETS
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Coral Sea Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN Provider Place Names Great Barrier Reef
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0279321

Use Constraints	Cite as: Carbery, Maddison; Herb, Frithjof; Reynes, Julien; Pham, Christopher; Fong, Wye-Khay; Lehner, Roman (2023). Microplastic concentration in Great Barrier Reef from 2020-03-16 to 2020-03-24 (NCEI Accession 0279321). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0279321. 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	2023-06-23T15:29:04Z - NCEI Accession 0279321 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0279321 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0279321 v1.1 (download) published 2023-06-23T15:29:04Z

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: Surface water samples (n = 16) were collected from around the Whitsunday Islands in March 2020 using a manta trawl (61 × 16 cm mouth, 200 cm long, 300 μm mesh and 50 μm mesh cod-end attachment) equipped with a mechanical flow meter (Hydrobios, Altenholz, Germany). Global positioning system (GPS) data was recorded at the beginning and end of each trawl to estimate the volume (MPs/m3) and area (MPs/Km2) of water sampled. The manta trawl was deployed from the stern of the research vessel and towed at maximum 3 kts for 30 min, after which the net was retrieved, and samples concentrated into the cod-end using a wash bottle containing filtered tap water (50 μm). The contents of the 300 μm net were further sieved through 5 mm and 1 mm stainless steel sieves, resulting in three distinct size classes in total; (1) 1 mm–5 mm; (2) 300 μm–1 mm and (3) 50 μm–300 μm. Samples were transferred to clean, 250 mL labelled sample jars containing 70 % ethanol and stored onboard the research vessel. Finally, samples were transported to the University of Newcastle and refrigerated at 4 ◦C for further analysis. Samples were transferred into clean conical glass flasks containing ~200 mL of 10 % KOH solution (prefiltered to 0.45 μm) and placed in an Incubator Shaker (New Brunswick Innova 44) at 40 ◦C to digest the organic matter fraction. The digestion of organic matter using 10 % (w/v) potassium hydroxide (KOH) for to 2–3 weeks has previously been proven both efficient and cost effective, without causing the destruction of plastic polymers at temperatures below 50 ◦C. Once sufficient digestion was achieved (7–10 days), samples were transferred directly to a fume hood and filtered through a glass vacuum filtration unit equipped with porcelain Buchner funnel. Cellulose acetate filters (CA, Advantec Qualitative filters, 6 μm) were used to capture particles >300 μm, whereas Anodisc filters (Whatman® Anodisc inorganic filters, 0.02 μm) were used to capture particles in the 50 μm–300 μm size fraction. Filter papers were scanned at 40× magnification and suspected plastic particles were examined under 100×magnification for visual characterization and imaging (Carl Zeiss Axioskop 40 FL optical light microscope using Micro Capture Version 6.9.3).; Data Quality Method: Maximum care was given to avoid the use of plastic materials during the sampling and processing phase. Where there was no alternative, appropriate controls were included to account for sample contamination. All materials were washed with laboratory grade surfactants and rinsed thoroughly with distilled water prior to use. Sample collection containers were purchased new and remained sealed until use. The manta net was rinsed thoroughly before use and between successive trawls, to avoid carry-over of plastic particles from previous use. Sample processing and analysis was performed in a PC2 laboratory by researchers wearing white cotton lab coats and blue nitrile gloves. All solutions were pre-filtered (0.45 μm) and stored in clean glass bottles in a clean fume hood. Sample handling and filtration was performed inside the fume hood, and filter papers were placed directly in sterile petri dishes which remained closed until microscopic analysis. A number of controls were included to test for sample contamination during the processing and analysis phase. Approximately 100 mL of filtered tap water used in the field (control 1) and 100 mL of ultrapure water (Milli Q®) used during the filtration process (control 2) were directly filtered onto CA filter papers and examined under microscope. A further 100 mL of 10 % KOH solution (control 3) was added to a 250 mL conical flask and subject to all experimental treatments, serving as a procedural control. Lastly, two filter papers were placed in open petri dishes on the laboratory work bench, to check for airborne contamination during microscopic (control 4) and spectroscopic (control 5) analysis. Suspected microplastic particles >300 μm were analyzed using a PerkinElmer Spectrum Two Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrophotometer with diamond crystal. Spectra were collected in absorbance mode (A) between the wavenumber range of 4000–400 cm-1 with a resolution of 4 cm-1 and an average of 8 scans. A background scan was loaded prior to the analysis of the first sample and periodic contamination checks were performed throughout. Isopropyl alcohol was used to clean the crystal between samples to avoid cross-contamination by plastic residues. Due to the limitations of ATR-FTIR for smaller sized plastics, μFTIR (Bruker® Tensor II FTIR coupled with a Hyperion 3000 microscope equipped with 15× objective and running OPUS® 7.5 software) was used to analyze the 50 μm–300 μm size class. Spectral acquisition was performed in transmission mode, between 4000 and 1200 cm-1 with a resolution of 2 cm-1 and an average of 16 scans for background and sample measurements. Filter papers (n = 8) were selected at random and observed under the microscope, where all visible items of microdebris were manually assigned for chemical analysis. Spectra were manually interpreted by an expert based on the presence of diagnostic peaks, and crosschecked using OpenSpecy. Library matches achieving a Pearson's R value >0.70 were considered acceptable in this study. This approach has previously been demonstrated as a robust method for MP identification, by reducing the potential for false positive or negative identifications by the software, as well as human error..

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: Surface water samples (n = 16) were collected from around the Whitsunday Islands in March 2020 using a manta trawl (61 × 16 cm mouth, 200 cm long, 300 μm mesh and 50 μm mesh cod-end attachment) equipped with a mechanical flow meter (Hydrobios, Altenholz, Germany). Global positioning system (GPS) data was recorded at the beginning and end of each trawl to estimate the volume (MPs/m3) and area (MPs/Km2) of water sampled. The manta trawl was deployed from the stern of the research vessel and towed at maximum 3 kts for 30 min, after which the net was retrieved, and samples concentrated into the cod-end using a wash bottle containing filtered tap water (50 μm). The contents of the 300 μm net were further sieved through 5 mm and 1 mm stainless steel sieves, resulting in three distinct size classes in total; (1) 1 mm–5 mm; (2) 300 μm–1 mm and (3) 50 μm–300 μm. Samples were transferred to clean, 250 mL labelled sample jars containing 70 % ethanol and stored onboard the research vessel. Finally, samples were transported to the University of Newcastle and refrigerated at 4 ◦C for further analysis. Samples were transferred into clean conical glass flasks containing ~200 mL of 10 % KOH solution (prefiltered to 0.45 μm) and placed in an Incubator Shaker (New Brunswick Innova 44) at 40 ◦C to digest the organic matter fraction. The digestion of organic matter using 10 % (w/v) potassium hydroxide (KOH) for to 2–3 weeks has previously been proven both efficient and cost effective, without causing the destruction of plastic polymers at temperatures below 50 ◦C. Once sufficient digestion was achieved (7–10 days), samples were transferred directly to a fume hood and filtered through a glass vacuum filtration unit equipped with porcelain Buchner funnel. Cellulose acetate filters (CA, Advantec Qualitative filters, 6 μm) were used to capture particles >300 μm, whereas Anodisc filters (Whatman® Anodisc inorganic filters, 0.02 μm) were used to capture particles in the 50 μm–300 μm size fraction. Filter papers were scanned at 40× magnification and suspected plastic particles were examined under 100×magnification for visual characterization and imaging (Carl Zeiss Axioskop 40 FL optical light microscope using Micro Capture Version 6.9.3).; Data Quality Method: Maximum care was given to avoid the use of plastic materials during the sampling and processing phase. Where there was no alternative, appropriate controls were included to account for sample contamination. All materials were washed with laboratory grade surfactants and rinsed thoroughly with distilled water prior to use. Sample collection containers were purchased new and remained sealed until use. The manta net was rinsed thoroughly before use and between successive trawls, to avoid carry-over of plastic particles from previous use. Sample processing and analysis was performed in a PC2 laboratory by researchers wearing white cotton lab coats and blue nitrile gloves. All solutions were pre-filtered (0.45 μm) and stored in clean glass bottles in a clean fume hood. Sample handling and filtration was performed inside the fume hood, and filter papers were placed directly in sterile petri dishes which remained closed until microscopic analysis. A number of controls were included to test for sample contamination during the processing and analysis phase. Approximately 100 mL of filtered tap water used in the field (control 1) and 100 mL of ultrapure water (Milli Q®) used during the filtration process (control 2) were directly filtered onto CA filter papers and examined under microscope. A further 100 mL of 10 % KOH solution (control 3) was added to a 250 mL conical flask and subject to all experimental treatments, serving as a procedural control. Lastly, two filter papers were placed in open petri dishes on the laboratory work bench, to check for airborne contamination during microscopic (control 4) and spectroscopic (control 5) analysis. Suspected microplastic particles >300 μm were analyzed using a PerkinElmer Spectrum Two Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrophotometer with diamond crystal. Spectra were collected in absorbance mode (A) between the wavenumber range of 4000–400 cm-1 with a resolution of 4 cm-1 and an average of 8 scans. A background scan was loaded prior to the analysis of the first sample and periodic contamination checks were performed throughout. Isopropyl alcohol was used to clean the crystal between samples to avoid cross-contamination by plastic residues. Due to the limitations of ATR-FTIR for smaller sized plastics, μFTIR (Bruker® Tensor II FTIR coupled with a Hyperion 3000 microscope equipped with 15× objective and running OPUS® 7.5 software) was used to analyze the 50 μm–300 μm size class. Spectral acquisition was performed in transmission mode, between 4000 and 1200 cm-1 with a resolution of 2 cm-1 and an average of 16 scans for background and sample measurements. Filter papers (n = 8) were selected at random and observed under the microscope, where all visible items of microdebris were manually assigned for chemical analysis. Spectra were manually interpreted by an expert based on the presence of diagnostic peaks, and crosschecked using OpenSpecy. Library matches achieving a Pearson's R value >0.70 were considered acceptable in this study. This approach has previously been demonstrated as a robust method for MP identification, by reducing the potential for false positive or negative identifications by the software, as well as human error..

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

Last Modified: 2023-09-08T13:41:58Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Microplastic concentration in Great Barrier Reef from 2020-03-16 to 2020-03-24 (NCEI Accession 0279321)

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