In December of 2012, Postgraduate researchers of the Environmental Studies Unit at UTT were able to secure funding to the tune of TT$4.48 million dollars for equipment acquisition from the Green Fund Executing Unit of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources of Trinidad and Tobago.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the University of Trinidad & Tobago and the Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources, outlining the conditions under which this funding will be disbursed and the responsibilities of both organizations as it pertains to the execution of specific research being conducted at the UTT.

Analytical Equipment to be procured using this funding includes an Accelerated Solvent Extractor ASE 350, A Gas chromatography Triple Quad Mass spectrometer (GC/MS/MS), an Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS) and a Carbon/Nitrogen/Oxygen/Hydrogen stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS).

GC/MS/MS

Accelerated Solvent Extractor

Mr. Aaron Balgobin, a Postgraduate Student registered under the UTT Environmental Studies Unit is conducting an extensive analysis of the hydrocarbons levels in sediment and mussels tissue along the west coast of Trinidad. This study will assist in developing a database of the origins of the hydrocarbons from natural and man-made inputs. (The legal defensibility of oil spill fingerprinting and the potential liability which may be incurred will require a detailed and thorough investigation of oil spill origins.)   A database on pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, dioxins, furans and LABs (linear Alkyl Benzenes) will be developed also, as most of these chemicals are classified as Persistence Organic Pollutants (POPs), based on the Stockholm convention which Trinidad and Tobago ratified in 2002.

As of May 2014, all sampling has been completed and various pieces of equipment are being commissioned. The equipment being purchased and installed with funds disbursed by the Ministry remains the property of the Ministry and are to be used solely for the purposes of this approved research project, throughout the period of the MOA.  This project is expected to be completed by June 2015. 

Mr. Aaron Balgobin, along with his supervisor, Dr. Natasha Ramroop Singh, and advisor, Prof. Valerie Stoute, will be presenting this work at the upcoming "UTT Research Showcase on the Extractive Industries" at NAPA on June 25, 2014.