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 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.

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/m3 and items/km2) in the surface waters of Kingston Harbor, Jamaica collected from 2017-09-14 to 2017-12-15. Microplastics were collected using a Manta net with a mesh size of 335 μm, towed at 1 knot for 15 minutes. This dataset contains the results from all 32 surface water 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 study estimated the load of surface microplastics in the surface waters around Scotland from 2014-01-06 to 2020-01-18. Microplastics data were collected using neuston net aboard MRV Scotia, MRV Alba na Mara and RV Sir John Murray. This dataset contains the results from all 398 surface net tows, in a spreadsheet format.

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.

This study assessed the load of surface microplastics (i.e. plastics less than 5mm, reported in unit of pieces/m^3) abundance at 124 sites in the Mediterranean Sea from 2014-06-03 to 2014-11-08. Microplastics data were collected aboard R/V Tara using manta net, towed at the top 10 cm of the sea surface with an average speed of 2.5-3 knots for 60 minutes. This dataset contains the results from all surface net tows, in a spreadsheet format.

This study was carried out to estimate the floating microplastics (i.e. plastics measuring less than 5mm, reported in unit of pieces/m^3) concentration in the South Pacific subtropical gyre. Microplastics data were collected with manta nets during an expedition that occurred between 2011-03-28 to 2011-04-21. This dataset contains the results from all 48 sampling stations, in a spreadsheet format.