A REVIEW OF RECENT ONGOING POLLUTION INVESTIGATIONS IN PUERTO RICO: METAL POLLUTION IN ROAD SEDIMENT, PLASTIC POLLUTION, AND OTHER COMPLEX ISSUES

Puerto Rico provides unique opportunities to investigate multiple modes of pollution and is comparatively understudied in the context of environmental issues. Our group has focused on several pollution studies in Puerto Rico including metal pollution in road sediment and plastic pollution in coastal environments. Road sediment is a complex environmental media that can provide insights into pollution in various communities. Results indicate a range of metal concentrations and forms from Boqueron, Guayama, and Peñuelas. Pollutant metal particles have been observed in multiple sites raising overall concerns for resuspension and human exposure. Areas of higher concern include coastal environments and biological reserves where road sediment may be transported routinely or during high rainfall events. The presence of abandoned vehicles along many roads in the interior of the island likely contributes to this metal pollution. Addressing this issue is complex and includes various logistical concerns. Recycling of the vehicles for disassembly and scrap will require navigating the rough terrain to extract abandoned vehicles to a site for processing. A non-profit mechanism may be the best path forward. An additional issue is plastic pollution in beach environments. Previous work has assessed that the distribution of this type of pollution is variable and reflective spectroscopy offers potential pathways for large scale monitoring. Based on our previous studies, hyperspectral remote sensing proves promising for providing a foundation for broader studies on plastic pollution and abandoned vehicles in the region. Addressing these concerns necessitates an interdisciplinary collaboration between scientific, policy, and nonprofit sectors.