ST. THOMAS - Scientists are working on a project in the St. Thomas East End Reserves to see how much sediment and pollution washes into the protected marine sanctuary.

The project will result in a baseline assessment for STEER that can be used to understand current conditions and optimize restoration and management efforts to enhance the territory's valuable resource, Pait said.

(NCCOS scientist Tony) Pait said the St. Thomas East End Reserve contains extensive mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs, but adjacent to the protected area is a large active landfill, numerous marinas, various commercial and industrial activities, an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Site, and residential areas with individual septic systems - all of which may be impacting the reserve with various chemical and bacterial contaminants.

via Scientists studying sediment in reserve - News - Virgin Islands Daily News.