A review of peer-reviewed publications was undertaken, focusing on coastal and marine microplastics relevant to South Eastern Australia (South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales), as well as from ongoing citizen science programmes from AUSMAP (https://www.ausmap.org/). This dataset summarises basic information about the microplastics studies: the location of the study; if the study focused on water, sediment or biota; the type of biota (for biotic studies); and the DOI of the publication. Although the primary focus of this study was restricted to southeastern Australia, studies collated from other regions have also been included in this dataset. The outcomes of the literature review for other regions (QLD, NT, SA, WA, Tas) should not be considered comprehensive.

A review of peer-reviewed publications was undertaken, focusing on coastal and marine microplastics relevant to South Eastern Australia (South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales), as well as from ongoing citizen science programmes from AUSMAP (https://www.ausmap.org/). This dataset summarises basic information about the microplastics studies: the location of the study; if the study focused on water, sediment or biota; the type of biota (for biotic studies); and the DOI of the publication. Although the primary focus of this study was restricted to southeastern Australia, studies collated from other regions have also been included in this dataset. The outcomes of the literature review for other regions (QLD, NT, SA, WA, Tas) should not be considered comprehensive.

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 data describes the characterisation and estimated concentration of marine plastics in waters around Australia from surface net tows. The marine plastics recorded were predominantly small fragments (‘‘microplastics’’) resulting from the breakdown of larger objects made of polyethylene and polypropylene (e.g. packaging and fishing items). This data accompanies the following publication: Reisser J, Shaw J, Wilcox C, Hardesty BD, Proietti M, et al. (2013) Marine Plastic Pollution in Waters around Australia: Characteristics, Concentrations, and Pathways. PLoS ONE 8(11): e80466. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080466

This study estimated the concentration of marine plastics in waters around Australia using surface Neuston and Manta net tows. Data was collected during seven transit voyages aboard Australian vessels. The study undertook three consecutive 15-minute net tows at 57 locations. The 839 marine plastics recorded during the study were predominantly small fragments (i.e. ‘‘microplastics’’, median length = 2.8 mm, mean length = 4.9 mm) resulting from the breakdown of larger objects made of polyethylene and polypropylene (e.g. packaging and fishing items).

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub small-scale study - "Microplastics in South Eastern Australian coastal waters: synthesising current data and identifying key knowledge gaps for the management of plastic pollution". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. Plastic pollution is pervasive in coastal environments globally and in Australia. Due to their small size, microplastics (pieces <5mm) are readily ingested by marine organisms and potentially accumulate across food webs, raising concerns for biota, ecosystem services and human health. Yet, to define guidelines and support policy actions that curb microplastic pollution, managers and decision-makers lack clear, synthesised information on this multifaceted issue, including on occurrence, sources, and pathways of microplastics in coastal and marine environments. This project synthesised current knowledge on microplastics in the coastal waters of South-Eastern Australia (South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales), identifying key gaps in data, monitoring, and risk assessment. A central output was a compiled database of existing microplastics studies across the study region. Through engagement with stakeholders from government, research, and industry, the project defined shared priorities and barriers to action. Three critical research needs were identified: (1) methodological harmonisation, (2) source and pathway identification, and (3) evidence of ecological risk. Together, the synthesis and stakeholder input set a clear direction for future coordinated research to enable evidence-based management of microplastic pollution across jurisdictions. The work laid the foundation for the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for marine microplastics sampling, which was subsequently delivered through NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Project 2.2 (https://www.nespmarinecoastal.edu.au/project/2-2): chapter "Marine sampling field manual for microplastics" in Field Manuals for Marine Sampling to Monitor Australian Waters, Version 3 (https://microplastics-field-manual.github.io). Outputs • Inventory of compiled datasets relating to microplastics in SE Aus waters [spatial dataset] • Final Project Report synthesising the information available on the presence of microplastics in coastal marine environments in South Eastern Australia, its potential sources and pathways [written]

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.