The Performance Materials Lab (PML) at UNC Charlotte is excited to announce the next phase of our ongoing research into coastal water health. Our partners at the Sustainable Seas Institute (SSI) have successfully returned from their ten-day expedition through the Lesser Antilles, delivering a critical new dataset directly to our shoreside facilities.
A Collaborative Success
Between December 30 and January 8, the SSI team navigated the volcanic waters of the Eastern Caribbean, executing a rigorous sampling protocol. Despite the challenges of open-ocean transit, they secured viable water samples from St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Les Saintes, and Guadeloupe.
Now, the baton passes to us.
We are thrilled to be working alongside the Sustainable Seas Institute on this project. This collaboration allows us to combine SSI’s field logistics capabilities with PML’s advanced analytical resources, bridging the gap between open-ocean exploration and high-precision laboratory science.
The Science: Hunting for Invisible Contaminants
With the samples now safely stored at UNC Charlotte, our team is initiating the analysis phase. We will be screening these waters for two specific, pervasive threats that are becoming increasingly common even in remote environments:
- PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): We will utilize our advanced spectroscopy and chromatography capabilities to detect trace levels of “forever chemicals.”
- Microplastics: Our team will quantify the density and type of micro-plastics present, helping us understand how global currents transport debris through the Caribbean arch.
Context from the Field
The context of these samples is vital. The SSI team reported that the “wilds” of Dominica and the vibrant harbors of Guadeloupe offered a stark contrast between protected nature and human activity. By analyzing water from both the pristine coastlines of the “Nature Island” and the busier thoroughfares of the region, we aim to build a high-resolution baseline for understanding the impact of agricultural and industrial runoff in the Lesser Antilles.
Looking Ahead
As we fire up the instruments to process this data, we are proud to contribute to a better understanding of our global oceans. This project marks a powerful start to 2026 for the Performance Materials Lab.
Stay tuned to this page for updates as we begin to share the analytical results of this exciting collaboration.
