Important research is being conducted by environmental chemist, Dr. Debbie-Ann Gordon-Smith, Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology at The UWI, Mona whose work focuses on the protection of Jamaica’s fresh and marine water resources. One critical area of her research is the investigation of the impact of human activities and climate on water quality and ecosystem health in Jamaica’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  MPAs play a critical role in safeguarding the health and biodiversity of our seas. These designated zones, which range from coastal areas to deeper offshore regions, are designed to conserve marine life, protect habitats, promote sustainable practices and act as natural buffers against climate change impacts, including sea level rise and extreme weather events.  Dr. Gordon-Smith’s research group has been assessing water quality in three MPA’s, the East Portland Special Fisheries Conservation Area, the Montego Bay Marine Park and the Palisadoes-Port Royal Marine Protected Area, supporting coral replanting exercises and assessing mangrove health.

The research team includes scientists from the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (Dr. Camilo Trench), The University of Texas at Austin (Drs. Rowan Martindale, Ashley Matheny, Kathy Ellins), Georgia Institute of Technology (Dr. Isaiah Bolden), Alligator Head Foundation (Ms. Denise Henry), as well as graduate and undergraduate students from The UWI ( Pearl Bergan) and UT Austin (Estefania Salgado Jauregui, Claire Williams, Myriam Loving, Suvan Cabraal and Caitlin Currie). 

Funding has been provided byThe UWI Research and Publications Fund, The University of Texas at Austin and Jamaica’s Tourism Enhancement Fund to upgrade the marine water analysis capabilities at the Environmental Research Laboratory in the Chemistry Department.  With this increased capacity, there are plans to include other MPAs in the near future.

Photo caption (L-R): Dr. Rowan Martindale, Pearl Bergan, Dr. Debbie-Ann Gordon-Smith, Ms. Claire Williams, Caitlin Currie.

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