The San Francisco Estuary Institute and 5 Gyres completed a comprehensive regional study of microplastic pollution of a major urban estuary and adjacent ocean environment, sampling in stormwater, treated wastewater, surface water, sediment, and prey fish.

This study estimated the concentration of microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm) in seawater (reported in unit of items/m3), and sediments (reported in unit of items/kg d.w.), in the Hangzhou Bay, China during 2020-09-11 to 2020-11-21. Microplastics in the seawater were collected using a plankton net while those in the sediment were collected using a sediment grab sampler. Data on hydrologic conditions in the study area were also collected. These include water depth (reported in unit of m), seawater temperature (reported in unit of oC), seawater dissolved oxygen (reported in unit of mg/L), seawater pH, and seawater salinity (reported in unit of ‰). This dataset contains the results from all 26 seawater, and 26 sediment samples, in a spreadsheet format.

This study estimated the concentration of microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm; reported in unit of items/kg d.w.) in shoreline and seabed sediments in the Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA, during 2020-09-25 to 2021-06-03. Microplastics in the shoreline sediments were collected using a metal spoon while those in the seabed sediments were collected using a Van Veen grab sampler. Data on sediment dry weight (reported in unit of g) and individual counts of microplastic fibers, fragments and films are provided. This dataset contains the results from all 76 shoreline and 7 seabed sediment samples, in a spreadsheet format.

This dataset contains surface microplastics (i.e., plastics measuring less than 5mm, reported in unit of pieces/m^3) concentration in the global ocean collected by the Oceaneye Association. Microplastics data was collected from 2011-08-31 to 2021-10-05 using manta nets by several trained volunteer groups and Citizen Scientists. This dataset contains the results from all 802 sampling efforts, in a spreadsheet format.

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.

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.

This study was carried out to estimate the microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm, reported in unit of pieces/m^3) concentration in four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, namely, Saronikos Gulf, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf. Microplastics data was collected from 2018-09-05 to 2019-11-20 using manta net. This dataset contains the results from all 71 surface net tows, in a spreadsheet format.

This dataset describes the concentration and morphology of microplastics in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Samples were collected during baseflow conditions at eight locations during the week of August 3-7, 2015. Four types of samples were collected: water surface, streambed sediment, smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and threeridge mussels (Amblema plicata). Water surface samples were collected at all eight sites; other sample types were collected at only a subset of sites.

This dataset describes the concentration and morphology of microplastics in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Samples were collected during baseflow conditions at eight locations during the week of August 3-7, 2015. Four types of samples were collected: water surface, streambed sediment, smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and threeridge mussels (Amblema plicata). Water surface samples were collected at all eight sites; other sample types were collected at only a subset of sites.