The data investigates the effects of commonly used microplastic separation techniques using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as a model microplastic. Data explores the efficiency of each technique (i.e. visual, density separation, acidic digestion and enzymatic digestion), spiked recovery of microparticles, and potential chemical and physical changes on HDPE from biologically-rich seawater samples. Data was generated through laboratory experimentation at AIMS, Townsville in 2017. Data was analysed statistically to determine difference between treatments.

These are the raw data associated with the manuscript, "Quantification of microplastics in sediments from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA using a novel isolation and extraction method" All raw data also appears within supplementary materials of this publication. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Cashman, M., T. Langknecht, D. El Khatib, R. Burgess, T. Boving, S. Robinson, and K. Ho. Quantification of microplastics in sediments from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA using a novel isolation and extraction method. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, USA, 174: 113254, (2022).

These are the raw data associated with the manuscript, "Quantification of microplastics in sediments from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA using a novel isolation and extraction method" All raw data also appears within supplementary materials of this publication. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Cashman, M., T. Langknecht, D. El Khatib, R. Burgess, T. Boving, S. Robinson, and K. Ho. Quantification of microplastics in sediments from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA using a novel isolation and extraction method. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, USA, 174: 113254, (2022).

This published research assesses microplastic ingestion and retention by coral reef fish, which are important information to assess ecological risks of this emergent contaminant to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR, Australia). Fish were collected with SCUBA and nets at Lizard Island (North GBR), exposed to microplastics under laboratory conditions at Lizard Island Research Station, and processed (i.e., gastrointestinal tract chemically digested, filtered and analysed under microscope) to assess microplastic ingestion at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville (Queensland, Australia). Data was statistically analysed using general linear model in R, kinetics model, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests.

AIMS, in collaboration with The Clean Ocean Foundation, has completed this proof-of-concept study to facilitate further sampling of microplastics in the Southern Ocean (a joint collaborative initiative involving the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) and solo yachtswoman Lisa Blair). In this project, AIMS trialled density flotation and chemical digestion separation methods to process subsurface seawater samples and retrieve environmental microplastics. This report presents findings from controlled spike recovery tests as well as opportunistic field sampling events of subsurface waters processed with both separation methods. Opportunistic samples were collected along the NSW coastline in December 2021. Given the location of the sampling transects, this report also provides the first spatial baseline information on microplastic contamination in NSW waters adjacent to estuary outflows and urban outfalls. After trialling both separation methods, microplastics retrieved from the NSW samples were physically and chemically characterized used stereomicroscopy and spectroscopy, respectively. No statistical analysis were performed due to the low number of replicates. Results showed repeated chemical digestion employing potassium hydroxide solutions was most effective at microplastic recovery. Microplastics were retrieved from each of the eight samples collected in NSW subsurface seawaters, with polyethylene and polyester fibres being the most prevalent polymer types detected. The highest numbers of microplastics were recorded adjcent to the estuary outflows and urban outfalls present within the sampling area. Overall, the sampling and processing protocols developed here are allowing for the extension of the spatial coverage of microplastic data in seawaters.

This study was carried out to estimate the floating microplastics (plastics from size 0.5mm to 5mm, reported in unit of pieces/m^3) concentration in the North Pacific Ocean. Microplastics data was collected from 2015-07-25 to 2019-12-09 aboard MV Maersk Launcher, MV Maersk Transporter, and RV Professor Kaganovskiy, using manta and neuston nets. This dataset contains the results from all 663 sampling efforts, in a spreadsheet format.

The data explores various factors relating to fish tissue digestion to extract microplastics. The data contains fish physical data, microplastics recovery, and spectral correlation values. Data was generated through experimentation carried out at AIMS, Townsville in 2018,2019 and 2020. Data was analysed statistically to determine differences between treatments.

The NOAA NCEI global Marine Microplastics product provides access to aggregated, comprehensive, standardized, quality controlled, global data on microplastics in marine settings, from 1972-Present. The database contains information on microplastics concentrations (reported in units based on marine setting - pieces/m3, pieces/10 mins, or pieces kg-1 d.w.), date of collection, latitude and longitude where data was collected, sampling instruments used for collection, and links to publications on the data. The information in this database can be used to improve water quality and protect the ecosystem, especially coastal ecological habitats such as salt marshes and mangrove forests that help recycle nutrients, serve as breeding grounds for fingerlings, and permanent homes for oysters and other coastal marine wildlife.