Analyzing historic cruise data for microplastics is an effective way to create baseline level understanding of microplastic pollution through time. This study analyzed 112 benthic specimens gut contents for ingestion of microplastics. These specimens were collected as part of a research cruise on the RRS Discovery D340b from 26 June to 4 July 2009 as part of the Oceans 2025 programme, the cruise Chief Scientist being Mark Inall. Out of the 112 specimens dissected, only 9 contained microplastic samples. These samples were photographed and their microplastic signatures were analysed using Raman Spectroscopy.

Supplement to: La Beur, Laura; Henry, Lea-Anne; Kazanidis, Georgios; Hennige, Sebastian; McDonald, Alison; Roberts, J Murray (2019): Baseline Assessment of Marine Litter and Microplastic Ingestion by Cold-Water Coral Reef Benthos at the East Mingulay Marine Protected Area (Sea of the Hebrides, Western Scotland). Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, 80