Presented on 8/27/2026 | Presentation Slides

ABSTRACT

“Advances in the Detection and Monitoring of Underwater Munitions Mobility” by Dr. Jack Puleo, Dr. Peter Traykovski and Dr. Carter DuVal (MR22-3303/MR21-5207)

Management practices at underwater Munitions Response Sites (MRS) must focus on detecting, monitoring, and when necessary, mitigating legacy munitions. However, a major challenge in underwater MRS management is the potential for munitions to mobilize and become buried, which complicates detection and monitoring. The project team developed specialized detection and monitoring technologies for dynamic underwater environments and tested them through laboratory and field experiments. These technologies include instrumented surrogate munitions, known as Mobility Monitoring Units, and specialized acoustic receivers integrated into autonomous surface vehicles for remote detection and localization. The presentation will highlight results from a year-long study at Reid State Park, Maine,Long-duration monitoring methods applied during the study will be discussed, along with their role in improving predictive models of munition mobility and burial. These advancements support more informed decision-making and improved management of underwater MRS, benefiting DoW efforts to address legacy munitions challenges.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Jack Puleo is dean of the College of Engineering and Computing and associate vice president for Strategic Initiatives in Coastal Engineering and Resilience at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. His research focuses on coastal processes, sediment transport, and remote sensing of the coastal environment. Jack’s work includes extensive research on swash-zone hydrodynamics, nature-based solutions, and coastal resilience. He has led numerous SERDP, ESTCP, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects addressing munitions migration, coastal hazards, and infrastructure resilience. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles. Jack received a bachelor’s degree in oceanography and mathematics from Humboldt State University, a master’s degree in oceanography from Oregon State University, and a doctoral degree in coastal engineering from the University of Florida.

Dr. Peter Traykovski is an associate scientist with tenure at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. His research focuses on sediment transport, coastal processes, and acoustical oceanography. Peter’s work includes modeling and measurement of seabed morphology and fluid mud dynamics, including the discovery of wave-supported turbidity flows on continental shelves. This work provides a specialized perspective on coastal processes relevant to munitions mobility. In addition to research, Peter develops advanced engineering solutions for coastal measurements, including imaging sonars, Doppler profilers, and autonomous surface vehicles for oceanographic surveys. He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in applied ocean sciences and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program.

Dr. Carter DuVal is an oceanographer with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in the Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. His research focuses on interactions between manufactured  objects and seabed morphodynamics, with particular emphasis on munitions and explosives of concern. Carter has participated in multiple munitions-related research efforts, including the Hawaii Undersea Munitions Mapping Assessment. He served as co-principal investigator on SERDP projects examining unexploded ordnance characterization in estuarine environments and cohesive sediment impacts on munition mobility. Carter currently serves as principal investigator for a SERDP project focused on parameterizing munitions mobility and burial in riverine environments. His work contributes to advancing understanding of munition behavior in complex environments and improving detection and monitoring approaches. He received a bachelor's degree in anthropology and archaeology from Saint Mary's College of California, and master’s and doctoral degrees in marine studies and Oceanography, respectively, from the University of Delaware.