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CLiP Vanuatu Microplastics in biota 2018
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This dataset contains microplastic abundance data from biota samples — tuna stomachs, land crabs, and reef fish — collected around Efate Island in Vanuatu in 2018 as part of the CLiP project, along with ATR-FTIR spectral profiles. The data contributes to understanding microplastic contamination in the biota of Pacific island ecosystems.
This dataset contains 2 csv files. One file contains data on microplastic abundance expressed in number of particles from biota samples (tuna stomachs, land crabs and reef fish) collected around Efate Island (Vanuatu) in 2018 with indication of sample wet weight, species and other characteristics. The file also contains information on blank used. The other file contains the profile of a ATR-FT-IR spectrum analysis of a plastic piece found in a tuna stomach . A README text file contains the description of columns content for the two csv files. A .zip file contains a pictures of the plastic piece analysed with ATR-FT-IR. The Commonwealth Litter Project (CLiP) supported Solomon Islands to take action on plastics entering the oceans. The assessment of microplastics in seawater was part of the action plan to define scientific baselines for future monitoring purposes and comparison. Samples were acquired in different ways: tuna stomachs were received from local game fishing; land crabs were bought from the main food market in Port Vila; reef fish (mix of species) was collected with gillnets from local fishermen around the island. In the lab specimens were taxonomically identified and their digestive tracts were removed and weighted. For large stomachs, visible particles >5mm were removed. Stomachs content was then rinsed and chemically digested by a 30% KOH:NaClO solution with an incubation period of 24 hours at 50 degrees centigrade. Small stomachs (and crab digestive traits) were digested whole with a 30% KOH:NaClO solution with an incubation period of 3 days at 50 degrees centigrade. All samples were then filtered, stained with Red Nile dye and a digital image was acquired through a microscope. Number of particles was counted and corrected for particles count in blank samples. Visible particles were analysed using ATR-FT-IR to identify particle composition, comparing their spectrum to a polymers library. ATR-FT-IR is the attenuated total reflection Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. A Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet iS5 ATR-FTIR with an OMNIC software (version 9.9.473) was used and polymers were identified based on the percentage match of IR spectra to a polymer library. Only spectra matched greater than 70 percent were accepted Spectra were collected in the range 4000 – 650 1/cm at a resolution of 4 1/cm.
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