Data from: Microplastics in stair-step moss, lake water, and shoreline sediment on Baffin Island, Nunavut
Data files
Sep 30, 2026 version files 168.91 KB
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allparticles.csv
160.77 KB
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microplasticdiversityindex.csv
307 B
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polymerdensities.csv
225 B
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README.md
3.50 KB
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sedimentconcentrations.csv
1.31 KB
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sedimentpercentmoisture.csv
453 B
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stairstepmossconcentrations.csv
2.34 KB
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of emerging Arctic concern due to their adverse effects on ecosystems, yet lake water and shorelands on Baffin Island, Nunavut, remain understudied for contamination. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated microplastic pollution in moss, water, and lakeshore surface sediment collected from nine lakes east and upwind of Iqaluit, Nunavut, and ten lakes north and downwind of Iqaluit. Stair-step moss (Hylocomium splendens) was used as a proxy for atmospheric deposition of MPs into the lake areas, whereas water and sediment were sampled to understand the depositional fate of MPs. The average microplastic concentration in lake water east of Iqaluit was statistically greater than the average abundance in the northern lakes. As distance from the community increased, both microplastic count concentrations in water and mass concentrations in moss decreased, suggesting a local source input from Iqaluit. A positive correlation between microplastic abundances in lake water and stair-step moss suggested that the lakes received atmospheric MPs and supports the viability of using moss as a proxy for atmospheric deposition. The results of our study indicate, in addition to oft-reported long-range transport of MPs to the Arctic, local inputs also contribute to the microplastic burden in northern, remote regions.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.pk0p2nh5h
Description of the data and file structure
Freshwater lake water, shoreline sediment, and moss samples were collected from lake catchments on Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, during 2022 and 2023 to characterize microplastic contamination. Moss samples were collected as an indicator of atmospheric microplastic deposition, while water samples were collected to assess microplastic contamination within freshwater systems. Samples were processed and examined for microplastic particles using microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to characterize particle abundance and properties, including polymer type, size, morphology, and colour. Sampling locations and environmental characteristics were also recorded to assess spatial patterns and potential relationships between microplastic contamination, atmospheric deposition, and proximity to northern communities.
Description: Supplementary data accompanying the manuscript, containing the experimental measurements and associated sample information used to assess microplastic contamination in freshwater lake catchments on Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. Cells were left blank for missing values.
Files and variables
- File: allparticles.csv
- File: sedimentpercentmoisture.csv
- File: polymerdensities.csv
- File: microplasticdiversityindex.csv
- File: sedimentconcentrations.csv
- File: stairstepmossconcentrations.csv
Variables:
- SiteID: Site Identification Number assigned to the sampling location
- Year Collected: The year the sample was collected
- Sample Type: The type of environmental medium
- Sample Replicate: The individual sample associated with a particular sampling location and sample type
- Location of lake: General position of the sampling location relative to the community of Iqaluit, NU
- Microplastic Shape: The physical characteristic of the microplastic (fibre, film, fragment, or foam)
- Microplastic Colour: The colour of the microplastic
- Confirmed Polymer: The polymer composition of the microplastic determined by Fourier-Transfer Infrared spectroscopy
- Size Category (µm): A classification that groups microplastic particles into size ranges based on their longest measured dimension in micrometers (µm)
- Width (µm): Longest length in the x-axis measured in micrometers (µm)
- Length (µm): Longest length in the y-axis measured in micrometers (µm)
- Width (mm): Longest length in the x-axis measured in millimeters (mm)
- Length (mm): Longest length in the y-axis measured in millimeters (µm)
- Volume (mm2): Calculated volume of microplastic in squared millimeters (mm2)
- Wet Weight (g): Measured mass of wet sample in grams (g)
- Dry Weight (g): Measured mass of dried samples in grams (g)
- Moisture Content (%): Percent moisture content of sample in percent (%)
- Volume Formula: Formula used to calculate microplastic volume depending on microplastic shape
- Variable Definitions: Definition of variables used in the formula used to calculate microplastic volume
- Polymer Density (g/cm3): Density of the polymer in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3)
- Microplastic Category: Either microplastic shape, colour, or size
Units and abbreviations:
- µm: micrometers
- mm: millimeters
- g dw: grams dry weight
- %: percent
- n: particle count
- L: Litre