Approximately three million metric tons of microplastics are lost to the environment worldwide each year. The source of nearly half of this amount entering the world's environment comes from the loss of synthetic rubber (which is indeed a type of plastic) from the abrasion of tires on roads.

These data were collected to characterize the quantity and quality of microplastic particles found in 17 streams in the northeastern United States, from New York to Virginia. USGS staff who represent the Urban Landscapes Capabilities Team (ULCT) within the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region designed the study and collected the water samples on which the data are based. Data were collected during 2017 and 2018 and included a baseflow and stormflow sample at each site. Additionally, the various microplastic particles in each sample were characterized by one of two different size-fraction categories (categories of 355-1000 micrometers and 1000-5600 micrometers), by type of particle (fiber/line, fiber clump, bead/pellet, film, foam/rubber, or fragment), and by the number of particles of each type per sample. Quality control data also are included.

As of 2018, some 5.274 million metric tons of macroplastics were lost to the environment worldwide each year. A further 3.014 million metric tons of microplastics are lost to the environment every year. In total, 8.288 million metric tons of plastics, in large and small pieces, enters into the world's natural environment on an annual basis. This accounted for a two percent share of the plastics produced at that point in time.

This dataset contains 2 csv files. One file contains data on microplastic abundance expressed in number of particles from 12 transects in Port Vila Bay and Mele Bay in Efate Island (Vanuatu) in 2018 with indication of volume and surface surveyed and transect info (duration, coordinates, comments). The file also contains information on blank used and contamination checks. The other file contains spectrum analysis of particles carried out with a ATR-FTIR. A READ-ME text file contains the description of columns content for the two csv files and a brief description of particles that have been analysed with the FTIR and photographed . A .zip file includes two folders with pictures of microplastics (particles with size less than 5 mm, Arthur et al., 2008) and macrolitter in diameter (particles with size greater than 5 mm).

This dataset describes the quantity and morphology of microplastics in water, surficial sediment, sediment core, fish, and shellfish samples from Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Nevada/Arizona). Water and surficial sediment samples were collected once at 9 locations. A sediment core (33 cm long) was extracted from Las Vegas Bay to assess changes in microplastic deposition over time. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis), and Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) were sampled at a subset of locations to assess biological uptake of microplastics. Sampling and analysis methods are described in the Processing Steps section of the metadata. All samples were collected in March 2017 except the sediment core, which was collected in March 2018.

This dataset contains 2 csv files. One file contains data on microplastic abundance expressed in number of particles from biota samples (tuna stomachs, land crabs and reef fish) collected around Efate Island (Vanuatu) in 2018 with indication of sample wet weight, species and other characteristics. The file also contains information on blank used. The other file contains the profile of a ATR-FT-IR spectrum analysis of a plastic piece found in a tuna stomach . A README text file contains the description of columns content for the two csv files. A .zip file contains a pictures of the plastic piece analysed with ATR-FT-IR.

This dataset describes the quantity and morphology of microplastics in water, sediment, fish, and mussel samples from the Delaware River and select tributaries, including portions of the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, Middle Delaware National Scenic River, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and Lower Delaware Scenic & Recreational River. Water and sediment samples were collected at nine locations, from Callicoon, New York, at the upstream end, to Burlington, New Jersey, at the downstream end. Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), and eastern elliptio (Elliptio complanata) were sampled at a subset of locations to assess biological uptake of microplastics. Sampling and analysis methods are described in the Processing Steps section of the metadata. Samples were collected July 2018 - March 2019.

This statistic displays the amount of macro- and microplastics lost to the environment worldwide as of 2018, broken down by plastic type. In that year, some 1.06 million metric tons of polypropylene macroplastics were lost to the environment worldwide.

This dataset enumerates the type, size, and color of microplastic particles collected every two weeks from the Alplaus Kill at Glenridge Road in Schenectady, NY (01355470) between November 2018 and December 2019. Ancillary data include stream discharge, sampling net dimensions, and stream velocity. Sampling and analytical methodology are described in the metadata.

This dataset contains 2 csv files. One file reports data on microplastic abundance in sediment expressed in number of particles for 5g sediment. Sediment was collected from 20 grabs deployed in Port Vila Bay and Mele Bay in Efate Island (Vanuatu) in 2018. The file also reports information on blank used, grab GPS coordinates and deployment time and the particulate size analysis (PSA) of the sediment. The other file contains the profile of a ATR-FT-IR spectrum analysis of a plastic particle (>5mm). A READ-ME text file contains the description of columns content for the two csv files . A .zip file contains the picture of the plastic particle analysed with ATR-FT-IR.

This dataset contains two CSV files. One CSV file reports locations and technical details for the cores, along with their slices, subsamples and the number of microplastic particles and fibres recorded in each 5g sample processed. Details of how the cores were sampled and processed can be found in the publication and its supporting information. The second CSV file contains x-y data for the micro-ATR-IR analysis of representative particles picked from some of the filters, to provide some numerical data on polymer types and fractions of Nile Red positive particles that could be positively identified as plastics (positives), those that were biological in origin (false positives) and those that could not be confidently identified. Details of the procedure for this appear below. Images of the particles along with their IR spectra can be found in the ESI accompanying the publication. Sediment cores (n=22) used in this study were collected on the RV Cefas Endeavour from 7th to 16th January, and 20th May to 15th June 2017 by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) as a part of integrated monitoring pilot surveys, or Sentinel Monitoring (type-1) cruises (cruise codes CEND01/17 and CEND09/17) (Murray et al, 2017; Eggett, 2018). MP sample collection was opportunistic, carried out alongside the wider survey aims, hence sites were not selected based on MP-driven hypotheses. Cores were collected from three locations; one in the North Sea: DB (n=13), and two sites in the Celtic Sea: NWJB (n=6) and CNYN (n=3). Site selection at each location was governed by the primary survey monitoring aims, as laid out in the cruise reports (Eggett, 2018; Murray et al., 2017) with all monitoring stations visited cored for MPs on CEND01/17, while a 10% subset of monitoring stations samples for other parameters were cored for MPs on CEND09/17. All locations are designated as Special Areas of Conversation under the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-east Atlantic (OSPAR) and as such are of particular interest for marine policy development or management considerations. Further details of the broader sampling route selection and rationale have been described in Noble-James et al. (2018).

Approximately 50 Nile Red particles were picked off filters from ZnCl2 extracted marine sediment samples. A blue Crimelite (Foster and Freeman) was used to excite the NR fluorescence and the filters were viewed through orange safety spectacles, allowing the fluorescing particles to be detected. A bamboo cocktail stick moistened with ethanol was used to assist with removal. The particles were placed on a 25 mm diameter 0.45µm porosity silver filter (Merck Millipore), taped by its edges to a mounting plate for the Bruker Hyperion 2000 microscope (single cooled MCT detector, coupled with a Vertex 70 FT-IR). Particles were located one by one, photographed using the 4X visible lens for size and shape information, then measured using the 20X Ge tip ATR lens (32 scans, 4cm-1 resolution, pressure setting “1”). Spectra were assessed visually, for general acceptability, then polymer identification was verified based on the % match against provided polymer libraries (ATR-FTIR-Library complete, Vol.1-4; Bruker Optics ATR-Polymer Library; IR-Spectra of Polymers, Diamond -ATR, IR-Spectra of Polymers, Geranium-AT & IR-Spectra of Additives, Diamond-ATR). Only matches above 60% were selected for a positive microplastic validation and polymer identification (Leistenschneider et al., 2021). No spectral corrections (baseline flattening, ATR correction, moisture/CO2 removal) were applied. If these tools were used the HQI values will increase, but at the cost of increased time input. We chose not to do this to simplify the operational workflow. Eggett, A., McBreen, F., Griffiths, Y., van Rein, H., Last, E. & Callaway, A, 2018. Report no 21. CEND0917 Cruise Report: North-West of Jones Bank and The Canyons Marine Conservation Zones’ Monitoring Survey. Leistenschneider C., Burkhardt-Holm P., Mani T., Primpke S., Taubner H. & Gerdts, G. 2021 Microplastics in the Weddell Sea (Antarctica): A Forensic Approach for Discrimination between Environmental and Vessel-Induced Microplastics. Murray, J., Holmes, I., Silburn, B., Sivyer, D., Pettigrew, J., S., S. and Ware, S., 2017. Survey Report: CEND 01/17 Ecosystem Based Monitoring Case Study Southern North Sea: Dogger Bank Strata 2017. Noble-James, T., Jesus, A. & McBreen, F., 2017. Monitoring guidance for marine benthic habitats. In: J.R.N. 598 (Editor), Peterborough.

This dataset contains 2 csv files. One file contains data on microplastic abundance expressed in number of particles from biota samples (queen conch, Lobatus gigas) collected in Belize in 2018 (and analysed in 2019) with indication of sample wet weight and blank used. The other file contains the profiles of the ATR-FT-IR spectrum analysis of plastic pieces found in the conch stomachs. A README text file contains the legend of the columns of the two csv files. A .zip file contains pictures of two plastic pieces analysed with ATR-FT-IR.

In order to assess pollution with small microplastics (S-MP, 11-500 µm) in the Lower Weser and transition to the German North Sea, surface water samples were collected with the RV Otzum (ICBM, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment), as well as with the RV Uthörn (AWI, Alfred-Wegener-Institute) in April 2018. Sampling was performed using a pumping system containing of a floating suction basket (mesh size: 500 µm) for pre-filtration, followed by the concentration onto a 15 µm stainless steel screen. Samples were isolated from the filter screens in the laboratory, thoroughly processed and measured via µFTIR imaging. Dominant polymer type in the S-MP sample fraction was acrylates/polyurethanes/varnish, and concentrations ranged between 2.3 × 10¹ and 9.7 × 10³ m⁻³, with maximum values in the area of the turbidity Maximum Zone of the River Weser.

Zooplankton (amphipod and copepod) were collected using nets in the Fram Strait and the Arctic, in July 2018 and August 2019 for microplastic analysis. Water samples were also collected from the underway system and CTD alongside the August 2019 zooplankton samples (https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.950239). All samples were initially digested using a homogenising solution and then filtered in preparation for Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis in combination with an automated polymer identification approach (SIMPLE software) to identify polymer types, shape and size. Microplastics were also visualised using a microscope to further determine shape and size, particularly of fibres. Data collected on the microplastics found includes polymer type, shape, size, species ingestion and location.

Description of the data and files:

The data was created in 2018 and opened in 2021.

Dataset is an Excel table file MpKallavesiMIF_rawdata.xlsx. The first tab “Sampling” contains coordinates, where the samples were collected and volumes of water per samples.

The second tab “Manta FTIR Results” contains light microscopy and FTIR microscopy measurement data from all particles found from the Manta net samples. Similarly, the third tab “Pump FTIR results” contains light microscopy and FTIR microscopy measurement data for particles from pumped samples.

The fourth tab “Controls” contains light microscopy and FTIR microscopy measurement data for control samples.

The fifth tab “Materials” contains statistics for the shapes (fibers/fragments) and polymer types of the microplastics.

Please see the related publication for more details about the methods and results.

Creation and processing of the data:

Data is created by examining the appearance and chemical composition of the suspected microplastic particles by light microscopy and FTIR microscopy. Correlation coefficients have been calculated between the measured FTIR spectra and a reference library of plastics. In addition to the raw data, the file contains statistics calculated from the raw numbers.

Purpose and use of the data:

Data is published under Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 license.

Data may be useful for comparisons between datasets and meta-analyses of microplastic concentrations in various environments.

Le but du Projet de recherche sur les microplastiques du Canada atlantique (2017-2020) est de déterminer la quantité de microplastiques dans trois collectivités côtières du Canada atlantique. Les données serviront à mieux éclairer la conversation et à trouver des solutions concernant la pollution par les plastiques dans la région. Le projet est financé par Environnement et Changement climatique Canada et est en partenariat avec le projet Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP), l'ACAP Humber Arm et le Dr Max Liboiron du Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research (CLEAR) de l'Université Memorial de Terre-Neuve (MUN). Le Dr Max Liboiron est notre conseiller académique en chef dans le cadre du projet de 3 ans. Il aide à l'élaboration du projet, aux méthodes et au protocole ainsi qu'à la conception de l'échantillonnage. Le projet comprenait l'échantillonnage des eaux de surface et des sédiments de plage aux trois emplacements de l'étude. L'équipement de chalutage en eaux de surface a été construit à l'aide de la conception de l'instrument à faible débris aquatiques (LADI) de CLEAR. Des rapports de données sont disponibles pour les résultats des eaux de surface et des sédiments riverains de 2018. Les résultats restants de 2018 sur les sédiments et les données sur les points chaud de 2019 seront bientôt disponibles.

this dataset consists of a quantitative imaging dataset of zooscan-imaged mesoplankton and microplastics, collected with the manta net (333 µm mesh size) aboard the schooner tara during the tara pacific expedition (2016-2018). samples were collected at the surface across the pacific oceans from open-ocean stations (32 samples, open-ocean label: [i00_oa###]), with 28 samples located on the great pacific garbage patch, and from stations in coastal waters of pacific islands (44 samples; island label: [i##_oa###]). the full description and discussion of this dataset can be found in the associated data paper mériguet et al. (in rev). this dataset consists of 137 497 plankton individuals, plankton parts, non-living particles, microplastics and imaging artefacts, ranging from 200 µm to a few mm, individually imaged and measured with the zooscan (gorsky et al., 2010). the objects were classified into 173 taxonomic and morphological groups. all images and their taxonomic annotations are available in the open-access ecotaxa (picheral et al., 2017) project at these links: for plankton images https://ecotaxa.obs-vlfr.fr/prj/1344, and for plastics images https://ecotaxa.obs-vlfr.fr/prj/1345. the 'ecotaxa zooscan tara pacific manta 333 microns export plankton/plastic' dataset contains the ecotaxa tsv exports which associate each object with these metadata (station name, sampling coordinates, sampling date and time, etc., the main metadata are found in the classic metadata zooscan tara pacific manta 333 microns.csv table) and describe it by numerous morphological features extracted from each individual object by zooprocess. the csv table named 'export ecotaxa zooscan read me.csv' defines the 160 variables found in the ecotaxa tsv export. the 'descriptors zooscan tara pacific manta 333 microns.csv' table combined the data from which we calculated quantitative descriptors of the planktonic communities: abundance (ind.m-3), biovolume (mm3.m-3; as a proxy of biomass) calculated from the area, riddled area and ellipsoidal measurement of each object (see vandromme et al., 2012 for the 3 calculations of biovolume), and shannon diversity index. this was done for all taxonomic annotations and for several levels of grouping; living or non-living, plankton groups and trophic association. the individual biovolumes of organisms were arranged in normalised biomass size spectra (nbss) as described by platt (1978), with size expressed as equivalent spherical diameter (esd, µm). nbss calculations were made for all taxonomic annotations and for the different levels of grouping. there are available for each station in the nbss zooscan tara pacific manta 333microns csv tables.

This data was collected between 2018 and 2019 at 7 sites around Placentia Bay. Two of these sites were subject to repeat sampling. Surface water samples were collected in collaboration with local fish harvesters, who aided the team in towing a surface trawl (the Low-Tech Aquatic Debris Instrument, or LADI, a DIY citizen-science technology developed by the Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research) equipped with a plankton net for the filtering of surface waters for microplastics.

Microplastic samples were analysed visually under a stereomicroscope for the identification and characterization of microplastics down to a lower size limit of 1mm.

This project is part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Coastal Environmental Baseline Program.

This statistic displays the distribution of microplastics losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, with a breakdown by geographical region. As of that year, around three percent of the global losses of microplastics via washing textiles and clothing took place in Western Europe.

This dataset consists of microplastic abundance and characteristics data collected from global marine turtle nesting beaches. Sand samples were collected from 209 sites spanning six oceans and 39 countries between August 2018 and January 2020 by a global network of marine turtle scientists. Microplastics (1-5mm) were extracted through stacked sieves, visually identified, and a sub-sample verified via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Microplastic particles were counted and weighed, which in combination with the dry sand sample weight and volume, allowed multiple units of measure to be calculated: Plastic weight per kg of dry sediment (g kg-1), plastic particle number per kg of dry sediment (particle kg-1), and plastic particle number per m-3 of dry sediment (particle m-3). Plastic particles were also categorised into five types: industrial plastic pellets, foams, fragments, sheetlike user plastics and threadlike user plastics. The methodology and consequent dataset generated are intended to provide an international baseline of quantified global beach microplastic abundance, allowing collaborators the ability to extend the dataset and further increase global understanding of microplastic distribution. The data collected were compiled by Zara Botterell and Brendan Godley from the University of Exeter and funded under Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) grant 'Risks and Solutions: Marine Plastics in Southeast Asia - RaSP-SEA' (reference NE/V009354/1), and UK Global Challenges Resource Fund (GCRF) (reference NE/V005448/1).