Download Click here to 2 nd Community Research Symposium

Institute of Marine Affairs’ 2nd Community Research Symposium
March 29th, Chatham Community Centre, Chatham
‘Towards a heathier southwest peninsula, Trinidad’
ABSTRACTS
SESSION 1: THE COASTAL RESOURCES
The State of the Wetlands on the southwestern peninsula of Trinidad
Rahanna Juman, Deputy Director (Ag.), Institute of Marine Affairs
Coastal wetlands have significant ecological, economic, social, cultural and recreational values as
they provide livelihood options and income generating opportunities to many persons,
particularly at the traditional subsistence and household economies level. They are exploited for
fish, oysters, mussels, conch, crabs and shrimp while at the same time they provide ecosystem
services such as shoreline protection, floodwater retention, groundwater aquifer recharge,
carbon sequestration, and are a reservoir for biodiversity. Wetlands are found on the
southwestern Peninsula of Trinidad at Godineau, Rousillac, La Brea, Point Fortin, Irois Bay,
Columbus Bay and Icacos. These wetlands are subjected to many anthropogenic pressures
including pollution, hydrological changes, and land-use changes in addition to natural pressure
such as climate change. Wetlands at Rousillac, La Brea and Irois Bay were impacted by the
December 2013 oil spills, while Godineau Swamp has been impacted by hydrological changes for
roads, agriculture and housing. This paper describes the state of the wetlands along the
southwest peninsula of Trinidad and provide recommendations for its management.
Keyword: coastal wetlands, ecosystem services, southwest peninsula, management.
Beach dynamics – an indication of the health of the Southwest Coast of Trinidad
Christopher Alexis, Research Officer, IMA
Trinidad and Tobago is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and coastal land is a precious
resource affected by various coastal processes, both natural and anthropogenic, which influence
rates of erosion. The Institute of Marine Affairs commenced the national shoreline monitoring
component of the Coastal Conservation Project in 1988 to monitor shoreline changes. Twelve
beaches comprising 32 beach profiling stations are monitored along the southwest peninsula of
Trinidad using standard surveying techniques. Beach profile and littoral data were analysed for
the period 2010-2016. Results revealed erosion at some of the beaches along the southwestern
coast of Trinidad. Erosion rates along the west coast are -Irois bay at 0.97myr-1, Columbus at 1.75
myr-1 and Granville at 0.32 myr-1. Along the south coast, erosion rates are - Quinam at 0.25myr1, South Chatham at 0.20 myr-1 and Galfa at 1.05 myr-1. However, accretion is recorded at Punta
del Arenal at 3.67 myr-1. Beaches along the southwest peninsula are more susceptible to erosive
forces because of their geology: less resilient sedimentary rocks and alluvium deposits. Coastal
erosion could potentially impact infrastructure along the southwest coast. Ongoing research and
monitoring would inform management interventions for coastal protection and planning, and for
improving the health of the coastline.
Keywords: Beach dynamics, beach equilibrium, coastal processes.
SESSION 2: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
The Environmental Quality on the Southwestern peninsula, Trinidad after the December 2013
Oil Spills.
Darryl Banjoo, Senior Research Officer, Institute of Marine Affairs
A one-year monitoring study was conducted by the Institute of the Marine Affairs (IMA) to
determine the environmental impact of the December 2013 oil spills on the southwestern
peninsula of Trinidad. Eight hundred and eleven (811) water, sediment and biota samples were
collected from January to December 2014 and analyzed for petroleum hydrocarbons. Results
indicated elevated levels of petroleum hydrocarbons (>10 µg/L) in the marine waters as dissolved
and dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPH) initially, but this decreased to ambient levels by
December 2014. The average DDPH levels during the one year monitoring among coastal beaches
from La Brea to Icacos were 21.7-1167.1 µg/L. Sediments and beach sand at marine and coastal
areas recorded elevated level of petroleum hydrocarbons (>100 µg/g) at some locations. The
areas most impacted by the oil spills were Pointe-a-Pierre, Aripero (Rousillac), Coffee, Carat Shed
and Station Beach. Analysis of tissue samples (fish and shellfish) indicated low levels of
hydrocarbons that ranged from 0.07 to 2.73 g /g in the edible/ muscle tissues of carite, cavali,
croaker, mullet, red fish, salmon and shrimp samples. Oysters sampled from the Rousillac River
were the exception with levels ranging from 10.58 to 38.59 g /g. Compared with the ASEAN
guideline for shellfish and finfish growing waters, the levels of hydrocarbons found in the Gulf of
Paria were exceeded. The study provides recommendations for addressing oil pollution in the
marine environment and its impact on human health.
Key words: Gulf of Paria, Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Oil spills, Environmental Quality
Heavy metal distribution in sediments along the South-western peninsula of Trinidad
Wendy Nelson, Research Officer, Institute of Marine Affairs
The coastal sediments of Trinidad and Tobago are subject to heavy metal contamination from
industrial and agricultural activities, sewage and domestic waste, and urban run-off. These metals
can bioaccumulate up the food chain and pose a risk to human health. The IMA conducted a
study on heavy metal distribution in coastal sediments from Trinidad and Tobago in 2011, and
results for eight stations off the south-western peninsula of Trinidad are presented here.
Sediment samples were analysed for total recoverable vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron,
cobalt, nickel, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, barium and lead using inductively coupled plasma/
mass spectrometry. pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity were also determined in
water. Metal concentrations in sediments from the peninsula ranged from 11.17-38.06 μg/g–
vanadium, 6.38-25.17 μg/g-chromium, 160.8-754.5 μg/g-manganese, 110.9-339.3 μg/g-iron,
4.48-9.51 μg/g-cobalt, 4.30-18.41 μg/g-nickel, 2.15-16.44 μg/g-arsenic, 5.92-272.7 μg/g-barium
and 2.78-11.43 μg/g-lead. Selenium and cadmium were undetected. pH, temperature, dissolved
oxygen and salinity ranged from 6.69-8.76; 28.2-29.5oC; 5.69-6.74 mg/L and 23.8-28.1 ppt
respectively. The most elevated concentrations of manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, arsenic,
barium and lead recorded were from stations off the western part of the peninsula between
Point-a-Pierre and Irois; arsenic also exceeded an internationally accepted sediment quality
guideline for the protection of aquatic life at the station near to Point-a-Pierre/ San Fernando.
Lowest metal concentrations were recorded in sediments off the southern part of the peninsula
near to Erin. These results are consistent with the associated land use/ anthropogenic activity in
the area. Management strategies should be used to improve coastal sediment quality,
particularly off the western part of the peninsula.
Keywords: heavy metals, coastal sediments, pollution, south-west Trinidad.
Near shore recreational water quality from Bonasse to Fullerton, Cedros: Are there health
risks?
Christine Bullock, Senior Research Officer, Microbiology, Institute of Marine Affairs
A bacteriological water quality survey was conducted along the coastline at Cedros Bay on the
south west coast of Trinidad, from Bonasse to Fullerton Village. Bonasse and Fullerton beaches
are used for recreational activities and are fish landing sites. Epidemiological studies have
established that there are swimming-associated health risks in sewage contaminated water. To
assess any health risks, water samples from fifteen nearshore locations and nine potential landbased sources of sewage contamination were analysed to determine the presence of three types
of bacteria used as indicators of sewage contamination. Membrane filtration technique was used
to detect the presence of faecal coliform, Escherichia coli and enterococci bacteria in water
samples. Physico-chemical parameters measured in situ during sample collection were water
temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and turbidity. At fifteen nearshore
locations along Cedros Bay, faecal coliform, Escherichia coli and enterococci bacteria levels
ranged from (0 – 8.0 x 104); (0 – 3.6 x 104) and (0 – 1.5 x 104) Colony Forming Units (CFU) per 100
ml of sample respectively. Water quality at seven of the fifteen nearshore sampling stations was
in compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 1986 Ambient
Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria. Bacteria levels at nine potential sources of sewage
contamination for Cedros Bay ranged from (2.7 x 102 – 7.9 x 106); (9.0 x 101 – 5.0 x 106) and (0 –
1.2 x 106) CFU per 100 ml of sample for faecal coliform, Escherichia coli and enterococci bacteria
respectively. Two rivers, a stream and six drains were identified as sources of sewage
contamination for Cedros Bay. Bathers using sections of the coastline from Bonasse to Fullerton
identified with poor water quality would therefore have been at risk of contracting swimmingassociated gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eye, ear, skin and upper respiratory
tract.
Keywords: Bonasse Beach, Fullerton Beach, bacteriological water quality, sewage contamination
Recent Environmental Incidents along Southwest Coastline of Trinidad – 2014 to Present
Steve R. Lalbeharry, Regional Coordinator, Emergency Response & Investigations,
Environmental Management Authority, 8 Elizabeth Street, St. Clair
The Environmental Management Authority (EMA), receives numerous reports of environmental
incidents in Trinidad and Tobago. Through its coordinating function, the EMA interacts with other
State Agencies and Stakeholders to implement appropriate response measures to avoid such
incidents in the future. This study is a review of environmental incidents that occurred along the
southwest coastline of Trinidad during the period 2014 to present. The study focuses on two (2)
environmental incidents between Mosquito Creek and Icacos Point along the southwestern
peninsular of Trinidad. The Gulf of Paria is Trinidad & Tobago’s most populous coastline and is a
beehive of anthropogenic activities from hydrocarbon exploration and production, to shipping,
fishing, industrial complexes and recreational activities. In some of the environmental incidents
that have been documented, the potential source (human induced from land-based or sea-based
sources or from natural sources like oil seeps), remains unknown despite collaborative efforts
between the EMA other State Agencies. Additionally, incidents of dead fishes and pelicans
observed within the study area, continue to receive the attention of all the relevant agencies
with the hope of understanding the causative factors for these incidents.
Key words: environmental incidences, Mosquito Creek, Icacos Point
Fish kill investigations along the Southwest Peninsula, Trinidad: characteristics, challenges and
the way forward
Farahnaz N. Solomon, Research Officer, Institute of Marine Affairs
Fish kills in the marine environment maybe caused by a number of factors most of which are
naturally occurring rather than human induced. The Institute of Marine Affairs plays a leading
role in the investigation of fish kills reported by the public. The IMA’s Fish Kill Investigative
Response has 5 basic steps: (1) Notification (2) On-Site Investigation (3) Sample Processing (4)
Determination of Cause and (5) Documentation and Report Writing. Although these
investigations require significant resources in terms of time and personnel, they are important
as several stakeholder (fishermen, beach bathers, coastal residents) in the marine environment
maybe negatively affected. The IMA has responded to several reports of fish kills in the Gulf of
Paria, and in the south west peninsular in areas such as La Brea, the Godineau Swamp and
Mosquito Creek. In this presentation, we examine some of the characteristics of these reported
fish kills, the possible causes, and the challenges experienced in determining the cause. The role
of the public in early reporting and documentation is highlighted.
Key Words: Fish Kill, Southwest Peninsula, Gulf of Paria
The use of bacteria and fungi isolated from the pitch lake to degrade crude oil at contaminated
sites
Sheldon Ramoutar, Research Officer, Microbiology, Institute of Marine Affairs
The southwestern peninsula of Trinidad is known for its extensive reserves of oil and natural gas
but faces major environmental challenges with spills and oily wastes generated by the petroleum
industry. Current clean up techniques have proven to be expensive or with environmental side
effects. The use of microbes to degrade oil waste has been used for many years and is both safe
and economical. Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and fungi from the La Brea Pitch Lake were
assessed for their bioremediation potential for petroleum-contaminated soil. Soil samples were
aseptically collected, plated and amended with different pure hydrocarbon fractions (diesel,
pyrene, naphthalene and asphaltene). The results indicated that the seepages sites had an
abundance of microbes capable of degrading all the oil fractions. The majority of these isolates
were identified as Bacillus spp. which was followed by Paenibacillus spp., Achromobacter spp.,
Burkholderia spp. and Pseudomonas spp. The isolates varied significantly in their ability to
degrade crude oil ranging from 20% to 95%. The fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus
spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillum spp. and members of the Mucorales. The small scale evaluation
showed degradation rates ranging from 20 to 80 %, with Aspergillus spp. generally performing
the best. The findings of the study indicate the Pitch Lake has potentially good sources of
petroleum hydrocarbon degrading microbes for developing local bioremediation technology in
Trinidad and Tobago.
Key
words:
petroleum
hydrocarbons,
degrading
microbes,
bioremediation