Dataset on microplastic concentrations, characteristics, and chemical composition in the marine surface waters of Latvia – the Eastern Gotland basin and the Gulf of Riga
Description
This dataset provides information on composition and spatial distribution of spectroscopically verified microplastics of two Baltic Sea sub-basins – the semi-enclosed Gulf of Riga and the Eastern Gotland Basin – as well as meteorological conditions during sampling events for further studies and research activities. The data can be used e.g., for modelling spatial distribution or pinpointing sources and transport pathways of spectroscopically verified microplastics in marine environment and for the calibration of existing models.
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Steps to reproduce
Marine surface water microplastic samples were collected from 44 transects in two Baltic Sea sub-basins – the semi-enclosed Gulf of Riga and the Eastern Gotland Basin. Sampling was performed by using Manta trawl with a mesh size of 300 µm. This was followed by organic material digestion using sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide and enzymes. After that the samples were filtered on glass fiber filters and analyzed visually, registering the shape, size, and color of each item. Chemical composition of particles was determined using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy method.
Institutions
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Funding
European Social Fund
Project No. 8.2.2.0/20/I/003
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development project “Improvement of knowledge of the state of the marine environment in the marine waters under the jurisdiction of Latvia”
Project No. IL/106/2017