After more than 20 years of research in Mayagüez Bay, this open bay in the western side of Puerto Rico is moving GERS Lab work toward a better understanding of the dynamics of minerals in the suspended sediments. This was the topic of Alexis Cruz Benitez, an undergraduate student of the Geology Department, whom successfully presented the project called “Spectral Effect Of Minerals In Sediments Of Mayagüez Bay” during this semester final presentations of all students registered in undergraduate research. Alexis’ presented his work on December 9, 2008, which focused on the spectral response of minerals in suspended sediments from Añasco, Yagüez and Guanajibo rivers. He compared samples from three stations (Dentro, Boca and Playa) at each river. Water samples were collected in September 21 and September 26, 2008. Remote Sensing Reflectance (Rrs) was obtained using the GER-1500 spectroradiometer. A laboratory procedure was also developed and tested. The results will help to develop other studies in Mayaguez Bay and will provide recommendations for remote sensing applications.
