High concentrations of Microplastics (MP) have been found within the Artic region, yet little is known about the pathways of MP towards the Arctic. The aim of this study is to gather quality assured data on small MP particles, between 11 µm – 300 µm in size, on MP concentrations and polymer composition in surface water from the northern North Sea to the Barents Sea. During the He578 cruise (June – July 2021), 18 stations were sampled using a pneumatic pump-system. MP was identified using Focal Plane Array – µFourier Transform Infrared (FPA-µFTIR) spectroscopy. MP was detected in all sample stations, with concentrations ranging from 5.4 – 1799.7 MP m-3 (mean: 274.9 ± 538.6 (SD) MP m–3). The most dominant polymer types (n = 18) were polypropylene, rubber type 3, and polyethylene. MP concentration and composition differed greatly between the sample stations, while no clear spatial pattern could be identified. Nonetheless, this study provides novel data relating to small (<300 µm) MP and information on their distribution between the northern North Sea and the Arctic. Data can be further used towards developing a better understanding on the flux and fate of MP in European waters.
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