Brief description
The data provides information relevant to determining time series estimates of anthropogenic marine debris contamination across the IMOS National Mooring Network (NMN) including National Reference Stations (NRS), with a focus on microplastics (plastics < 5 mm). Specifically, it summarises the physical (i.e., size, shape and colour) properties and chemical nature (i.e., synthetic, semi-synthetic or naturally derived, and polymer type) along with the associated sampling coordinates and field collection data. This dataset, together with other variables already measured across the NMN (e.g., surface salinity, current, plankton, fish larvae), has the potential to provide insight into abundance, spatial distribution and fluctuations in anthropogenic marine debris, as well as identify potential source materials, geographic (i.e., land-based) inputs and fate. Information on such contamination is critical to inform policy and management on marine pollution in Australia’s marine estate and to assess the effectiveness of policy responses.Lineage
Maintenance and Update Frequency: quarterlyNotes
CreditAustralia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent.
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
Modified: 23 06 2025
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Santana MFM, Kroon FJ, van Herwerden L, Vamvounis G, Motti CA: An assessment workflow to recover microplastics from complex biological matrices. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2022, 179:113676.
Jensen, L. H., Motti, C. A., Garm, A. L., Tonin, H., & Kroon, F. J. (2019). Sources, distribution and fate of microfibres on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 9021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45340-7
doi :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45340-7
AODN-IMOS Microdebris Contamination Data Dictionary
Marine Matters Newsletter #37 June 2022
Miller, M.E., Carsique, M., Santana, M.F.S., Brinkman, R., Motti, C.A., Hamann, M., Kroon, F.J., 2022. Influence of temporal and physicochemical properties on plastic contamination at the Yongala shipwreck, Australia. Environmental Pollution 307, 119545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119545
doi :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119545
AODN-IMOS Microdebris Data (ALL) from Jan-2021 to Jan-2025 [zip folder size: 80KB]
Kroon, F. J., Motti, C. E., Jensen, L. H., & Berry, K. L. E. (2018). Classification of marine microdebris: A review and case study on fish from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 16422. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-34590-6
doi :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-34590-6
Kroon, F., Motti, C., Talbot, S., Sobral, P., & Puotinen, M. (2018). A workflow for improving estimates of microplastic contamination in marine waters: A case study from North-Western Australia. Environmental Pollution, 238, 26–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.010
doi :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.010
Standard Operating Procedure - Density Flotation
Schlawinsky, M., Santana, M.F.M., Motti, C.A., Barbosa Martins, A., Thomas-Hall, P., Miller, M.E., Lefèvre, C., Kroon, F.J. (2022) Improved microplastic processing from complex biological samples using a customized vacuum filtration apparatus. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 1-15.https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10504
doi :
https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10504
Miller, M. E., Motti, C. A., Menendez, P., & Kroon, F. J. (2021). Efficacy of Microplastic Separation Techniques on Seawater Samples: Testing Accuracy Using High-Density Polyethylene. The Biological Bulletin, 240(1), 52–66. https://doi.org/10.1086/710755
doi :
https://doi.org/10.1086/710755
Miller, M. E., Kroon, F. J., & Motti, C. A. (2017). Recovering microplastics from marine samples: A review of current practices. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 123(1), 6–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.058
doi :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.058
Data Report 2021: Motti C & Santana M (2025). National Marine Microplastics 2021. Integrated Marine Observing System, Hobart.
Data Report 2022: Motti C & Santana M (2025). National Marine Microplastics 2022. Integrated Marine Observing System, Hobart.
Data Report 2023: Motti C & Santana M (2025). National Marine Microplastics 2023. Integrated Marine Observing System, Hobart.
Data Report 2024: Motti C & Santana M (2025). National Marine Microplastics 2024. Integrated Marine Observing System, Hobart.
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