A numerical ocean model based on the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) framework was run for the Sorsdal ice shelf region and included modifications for ice/ocean thermodynamics and mechanical pressure, following (Dinniman et al., 2007). The model domain was discretised on a polar stereographic grid with a uniform 2 km horizontal resolution. The vertical terrain-following coordinate had 31 vertical layers with a sigmoidal layer distribution to provide higher vertical resolution at the surface and bottom regions.

This data describes the characterisation and estimated concentration of marine plastics in waters around Australia from surface net tows. The marine plastics recorded were predominantly small fragments (‘‘microplastics’’) resulting from the breakdown of larger objects made of polyethylene and polypropylene (e.g. packaging and fishing items). This data accompanies the following publication: Reisser J, Shaw J, Wilcox C, Hardesty BD, Proietti M, et al. (2013) Marine Plastic Pollution in Waters around Australia: Characteristics, Concentrations, and Pathways. PLoS ONE 8(11): e80466. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080466

Zooplankton samples were collected at ten stations within the Derwent River estuary, in south eastern Tasmania, between the years 1973 and 1974. Temperature and salinity data was collected at the same time.