The U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Program has awarded the University of the Virgin Islands $84,893 to study the environmental impacts of Trident Missile launches from Navy submarines.
The Navy award will facilitate research by faculty and students within UVI's Science and Mathematics Division and UVI's William P. MacLean Marine Science Center.
The contract runs from June 1, 2000, to May 31, 2001. The research will be conducted by Dr. Mary Whitten, an assistant professor of chemistry at UVI; Dr. Paul Jobsis, a UVI assistant professor of biology; UVI Research Specialist Kevin Brown and two UVI student researchers.
Dr. James Battey, an associate professor of biology at UVI, and other members of the University's faculty drafted the contract proposal.
"We are using our faculty, staff and students to generate data that will help the federal government make decisions on regulations concerning Trident Missile launches," Battey said.
During Trident Missile launch tests, Navy submarines use an explosive-driven gas generator that creates pressure, which launches a missile. During the underwater explosion, there is a release of a combustion chemical and sound waves into the water. The UVI team will use theoretical models to assess the potential effects of the underwater blasts. Drs. Whitten and Jobsis will recruit one UVI chemistry student and one UVI biology student to evaluate the potential chemical and biological impact of the missile test launches on marine mammals.
"We at UVI are researching the impact of the mechanism that takes the missile from the submarine to the surface of the water," Battey said. Once the missile breaks the surface of the water, its effect becomes atmospheric –– which is not part of UVI's research contract.
Kevin Sottak, UVI's director of corporate, foundation and federal grants, called the Navy contract "a terrific opportunity that may ultimately lead to additional research contracts."