Data

Temporal patterns of plastic contamination in surface waters at the SS Yongala shipwreck, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Name: Temporal patterns of plastic contamination in surface waters at the SS Yongala shipwreck, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Published: 2026

Australian Institute of Marine Science

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)

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ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/32fda369-744c-4410-af7a-cbc80c56642c&rft.title=Temporal patterns of plastic contamination in surface waters at the SS Yongala shipwreck, Great Barrier Reef, Australia&rft.identifier=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/32fda369-744c-4410-af7a-cbc80c56642c&rft.publisher=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)&rft.description=Marine plastic pollution is an identified contaminant of emerging concern, with expected increases in contamination levels if plastic production projections eventuate. Scientists, managers and the public are increasingly interested in understanding the status and temporal trends of plastic contamination in the marine environment and specifically the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Presented in this study is the first temporal assessment of plastic contamination in the surface waters of the GBR, Australia. This was accomplished by conducting replicate surface seawater samples (n=66) adjacent to the SS Yongala shipwreck (central GBR), in Bindal sea country, between 2016 and 2019 using a neuston net. The processing workflow included a stringent protocol involving density flotation, filtration, visual identification and sizing of putative plastics using stereomicroscopy, and chemical characterisation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Overall, a total of 533 plastic items were identified and confirmed as plastic, with plastics detected in every single replicate tow, bar one. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common polymers present, and were comprised of macro-, meso- and microplastic fragments and fibres. Concentrations of plastic fluctuated across the three years, with spikes related to wind-speed and extreme weather events. However, overall plastic trends did not significantly increase or alter throughout the study period. This study reveals the chronic presence of plastic debris in the surface waters of the central GBR and highlights the need for long-term monitoring of the marine environment for plastic contamination.Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: Data was collected using rigorous protocols following Kroon et al. 2018 on the Research Vessel (RV) Cape Ferguson or RV Apollo. Monthly replicate (n=2) surface seawater tows were conducted using a neuston net and samples were processed in AIMS facilities using validated methodologies (see SOP SF-T079_1 Microplastic IMOS NRSYON 2016-2019). This included a density separation technique utilising a hypersaline brine solution (i.e., NaCl) to filter onto 547 and 26 µm stainless steel filters, stereomicroscopic (Leica Mz16A, 0.73x - 12.0x magnification, DFC 500 camera attachment) visual identification to isolate, photograph and size putative plastics. Following, putative items were chemically characterised via attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy using a PerkinElmer Spectrum 100 (1mm ATR window, pressure gauge = 150, atmospheric (CO2/H2O) supression and atmospheric vapor compensation, background scans aquired hourly). Final chemical assignment of FTIR sample spectra was aided by commercially available FTIR spectral libraries (i.e., NICODOM Ltd.) and further interrogated using an unique R script (R Studio, Version 1.4.1106) to determine spectral similarities to the libraries and potential extraneous contamination sources. Contamination within the laboratory was controlled for using strigent protocols and avoidance of plastic materials where possible. Physicochemical parameters (i.e., wind speed, current speed, salinity and sea surface temperature) were obtained using publicly available data from the Australian Ocean Data Network (AODN; portal: imos.aodn.org.au/webportal). River discharge volume for the study area was obtained from the Clare Station from the Queensland Government Water Monitoring Information Portal (WMIP; https://water-monitoring.information.qld.gov.au/). All physicochemical parameters were overlayed with plastic contamination data and statistical tests run in R Studio (version 1.4.1106).&rft.creator=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) &rft.date=2026&rft.coverage=westlimit=147.4571693082292; southlimit=-19.406828778274203; eastlimit=147.60274216042026; northlimit=-19.295397917678383&rft.coverage=westlimit=147.4571693082292; southlimit=-19.406828778274203; eastlimit=147.60274216042026; northlimit=-19.295397917678383&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Australia License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/&rft_rights=Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided as is and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.&rft_rights=Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2022). Temporal patterns of plastic contamination in surface waters at the SS Yongala shipwreck, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/32fda369-744c-4410-af7a-cbc80c56642c, accessed[date-of-access].&rft_subject=oceans&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data

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Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided "as is" and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.

Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: "Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2022). Temporal patterns of plastic contamination in surface waters at the SS Yongala shipwreck, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/32fda369-744c-4410-af7a-cbc80c56642c, accessed[date-of-access]".

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Marine plastic pollution is an identified contaminant of emerging concern, with expected increases in contamination levels if plastic production projections eventuate. Scientists, managers and the public are increasingly interested in understanding the status and temporal trends of plastic contamination in the marine environment and specifically the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Presented in this study is the first temporal assessment of plastic contamination in the surface waters of the GBR, Australia. This was accomplished by conducting replicate surface seawater samples (n=66) adjacent to the SS Yongala shipwreck (central GBR), in Bindal sea country, between 2016 and 2019 using a neuston net. The processing workflow included a stringent protocol involving density flotation, filtration, visual identification and sizing of putative plastics using stereomicroscopy, and chemical characterisation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Overall, a total of 533 plastic items were identified and confirmed as plastic, with plastics detected in every single replicate tow, bar one. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common polymers present, and were comprised of macro-, meso- and microplastic fragments and fibres. Concentrations of plastic fluctuated across the three years, with spikes related to wind-speed and extreme weather events. However, overall plastic trends did not significantly increase or alter throughout the study period. This study reveals the chronic presence of plastic debris in the surface waters of the central GBR and highlights the need for long-term monitoring of the marine environment for plastic contamination.

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Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned

Statement: Data was collected using rigorous protocols following Kroon et al. 2018 on the Research Vessel (RV) Cape Ferguson or RV Apollo. Monthly replicate (n=2) surface seawater tows were conducted using a neuston net and samples were processed in AIMS facilities using validated methodologies (see SOP SF-T079_1 Microplastic IMOS NRSYON 2016-2019). This included a density separation technique utilising a hypersaline brine solution (i.e., NaCl) to filter onto 547 and 26 µm stainless steel filters, stereomicroscopic (Leica Mz16A, 0.73x - 12.0x magnification, DFC 500 camera attachment) visual identification to isolate, photograph and size putative plastics. Following, putative items were chemically characterised via attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy using a PerkinElmer Spectrum 100 (1mm ATR window, pressure gauge = 150, atmospheric (CO2/H2O) supression and atmospheric vapor compensation, background scans aquired hourly). Final chemical assignment of FTIR sample spectra was aided by commercially available FTIR spectral libraries (i.e., NICODOM Ltd.) and further interrogated using an unique R script (R Studio, Version 1.4.1106) to determine spectral similarities to the libraries and potential extraneous contamination sources. Contamination within the laboratory was controlled for using strigent protocols and avoidance of plastic materials where possible. Physicochemical parameters (i.e., wind speed, current speed, salinity and sea surface temperature) were obtained using publicly available data from the Australian Ocean Data Network (AODN; portal: imos.aodn.org.au/webportal). River discharge volume for the study area was obtained from the Clare Station from the Queensland Government Water Monitoring Information Portal (WMIP; https://water-monitoring.information.qld.gov.au/). All physicochemical parameters were overlayed with plastic contamination data and statistical tests run in R Studio (version 1.4.1106).

Notes

Credit
AIMS@JCU

Credit
Traditional Owners of Land and Sea Country: Wulgurukaba and Bindal People

Credit
James Cook University PhD Scholarship, Australia

Modified: 18 09 2026

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text: westlimit=147.4571693082292; southlimit=-19.406828778274203; eastlimit=147.60274216042026; northlimit=-19.295397917678383

Subjects

oceans |

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Other Information

Miller, M. E., Santana, M. F. M., Carsique, M., Motti, C. A., Hamann, M., & Kroon, F. J. (2022). Temporal patterns of plastic contamination in surface waters at the SS Yongala shipwreck, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Environmental Pollution, 307, 119545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119545

doi : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119545 DOI Link

Identifiers

global : 32fda369-744c-4410-af7a-cbc80c56642c