Marine Microplastics Dataset

The Marine Microplastics dataset includes the following detailed columns:

OBJECTID:

A unique identifier for each record, ensuring traceability and easy reference.

• Oceans: The name of the ocean where the microplastic sample was collected, covering major water bodies such as the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans.
• Regions: Specific regions within each ocean, such as the North Atlantic Gyre or the Coral Triangle, where the samples were taken.
• SubRegions: Finer subregions within each region to provide precise geographical context.
• Sampling Method: A detailed description of the method used to collect the microplastic samples, including techniques such as surface trawling, sediment sampling, and water column filtering.
• Measurement: The density of microplastics measured in pieces per cubic meter (pieces/m³), providing quantitative insights into the level of contamination.
• Unit: The unit of measurement used, ensuring clarity and consistency across the dataset.
• Density Range: The observed range of microplastic densities in the samples, giving an idea of the variability within the data.
• Density Class: Classification of microplastic density, categorized into classes like Very Low, Low, Medium, High, and Very High to facilitate easier analysis.
• Pollution Source: New addition providing insights into the potential sources of microplastics, such as urban runoff, industrial discharge, or maritime activities.
• Impact Assessment: New column that includes assessments of potential impacts on marine life and ecosystems in the sampled area, derived from related studies.
• Short Reference: A brief citation for the study or research from which the data was sourced, ensuring proper attribution.
• Organization: The name of the organization responsible for the data collection, which may include academic institutions, research bodies, or governmental agencies.

• Keywords:

  Keywords related to the study, aiding in the dataset’s discoverability for various research purposes.
• Accession Number: The unique accession number associated with the data record, linking it to a broader database or repository.
• Accession Link: A direct link to the data record, providing users with access to the full study or additional data resources.
• Latitude: The latitude coordinate of the sample location, crucial for mapping and spatial analysis.
• Longitude: The longitude coordinate of the sample location, allowing precise pinpointing of sample sites.
• Date: The date of sample collection, which is critical for understanding temporal trends in microplastic pollution.
• GlobalID: A global identifier for each record, ensuring its uniqueness within international datasets.
• x-coordinate: The X-coordinate in a cartesian coordinate system, useful for GIS applications.
• y-coordinate: The Y-coordinate in a cartesian coordinate system, complementing the X-coordinate for accurate mapping.

New Additions:

• Pollution Source: Identifying potential origins of microplastics, such as land-based sources (urban runoff, industrial discharge) and sea-based sources (fishing activities, maritime traffic).
• Impact Assessment: This column provides a summary of the ecological and biological impacts observed in the region, including effects on marine species, water quality, and habitat integrity.

Applications of the Dataset: This dataset is crucial for environmental monitoring. Research on the spread and impact of marine microplastics. And the development of policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution. It also serves as a baseline for future studies and can be integrated into larger datasets for global analysis of marine pollution trends.