Arctic Ocean 2016 - Microplastics in the Arctic Ocean

This dataset contains data collected during the Canadian-Swedish expedition Arctic Ocean 2016. The research cruise took place August through September 2016, using the icebreaker Oden.

For ship data from the cruise, as well as graphics and files describing the route, see https://snd.gu.se/sv/catalogue/study/ecds0221

For descriptions of Work Packages and research conducted during the cruise, see the SWEDARCTIC Arctic Ocean 2016 Expedition Report: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:polar:diva-3475

Additional information on the expedition, including links to publications, is available at http://www.polarforskningsportalen.se/en/arctic/expeditions/arctic-ocean-2016

Work Package: Physical Oceanography (CTD)

Work Package: Heavy Metals Monitoring

Microplastics in the world’s oceans pose a potential threat to organisms that depend on the marine environment. In order to effectively assess this threat, information regarding the presence of these particles in the marine environment is particularly important. To date, there is a particular paucity of information regarding microplastics in Polar Regions. The overall aims of the study were to assess (i) the abundance, distribution and composition of microplastics in sub-surface Arctic waters, (ii) whether sea ice acts as a sink for microplastics, (iii) whether microplastics were present in Arctic sediments. The study was conducted onboard the Swedish icebreaker Oden during the Arctic Ocean 2016 expedition during which time (August 8th – September 19th 2016) the vessel traversed 4943 nautical miles. Sampling of microplastics in sub-surface waters was conducted using the (i) bow water system of Oden with a total of 58 samples being collected and, (ii) CTD with a total of 9 CTD casts. Sea-ice cores were collected and processed from 25 stations in the Arctic Ocean. Water from beneath the ice at each station was also pumped and filtered in the field. Surficial sediments from cores at 11 sites were also collected. All samples were stored under appropriate conditions and shipped to the laboratory for further processing. Potential microplastics will be isolated from each sample and these particles will be analysed by relevant analytical techniques (e.g. FT-IR spectroscopy) to confirm the polymer type.

Data include:

Polymer type of microplastic particles in water, ice, and sediment samples. Show less..