Data on macro(micro)plastics and hydrophobic organic contaminants in the Gulf of Guinea coastal psammitic beaches

Abstract

The ubiquity of microplastics in coastal environments and marine ecosystems is a significant concern because they have a strong affinity for organic contaminants. This paper presents the first reported data on hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) and microplastics particles (MPs, 1–5 mm) in lagoon and beach sediments along the Gulf of Guinea coastline (SE Atlantic). Sampling was carried out between August and November 2019. Ten sites were designated for each location, and sediment samples were taken along three transects: high waterline, drift waterline, and current waterline. Sediment samples were extracted through density floatation procedure and sieving. Primary data on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) associated with MPs are provided, as well as detailed information on sampling coordinates, plastic types, and their relative abundance. Refer to the research publication ``Microplastics and associated organic pollutants in beach sediments from the Gulf of Guinea (SE Atlantic) coastal ecosystems'' (Fred-Ahmadu et al., 2022) for detailed discussion and interpretation of the reported data.

Keywords

• Microplastics
• Hydrophobic organic contaminants
• Sediments
• Contamination
• Gulf of Guinea