Indian River Lagoon | Indian River Lagoon Research

A Mucked Up Lagoon

Lagoon Muck

Right in Florida Tech’s backyard is the Indian River Lagoon, home to more than 3,000 species of plants and animals that are suffering from a half-century of neglect and pollution. As more people have made the Space Coast their home and increased development and pressure on the lagoon, marine life has been decimated by a deadly chain reaction started from fertilizer run-off and waste water. The lagoon is now home to a massive build-up of muck, a thick mixture of nitrogen and phosphorus that resembles black tar. In some parts of the lagoon, the muck has reached epic proportions, up to 10 feet high, suffocating seagrass beds, a vital part of the lagoon’s eco-system. Muck is contributing to large scale algae blooms which consume massive amounts of oxygen, choking out marine life. Now, the lagoon is afflicted with massive die-offs fish, sea turtles, manatees and dolphins. Through concerted research efforts, Florida Tech faculty and students are developing solutions to the Indian River Lagoon’s dire situation.

5 Projects Prepping Seniors for Careers in Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences

The university’s flagship project and a Panther rite of passage, the engineering and science student design and research program has existed in some form or another almost since the university’s inception in 1958.

Indian River Lagoon Focus of Conference Sept. 27 at Florida Tech

The conference will explore themes including muck removal and control; novel approaches to water quality improvements; stormwater; and biosolids.

Lagoon Understanding is Florida Tech’s Only Interest

The university has a decades-long history of providing science to support the preservation and restoration of Indian River Lagoon resources.

Long Doggers’ Lagoon Merchandise to Benefit Florida Tech Program

For each t-shirt, hat, tank-top or fishing shirt sold, money is donated to the university's Living Docks oyster mat program.

Indian River Lagoon Focus of TechCon Sept. 28 at Florida Tech

Muck removal and control and novel approaches to water quality improvements are among the topics to be discussed at the daylong gathering at Florida Tech.

Sustainability Professor Shows How to Have a Lagoon-Friendly Lawn

Professor Ken Lindeman is a huge proponent of native landscaping. So much so that he shares how he transformed his own lawn with Florida native plants. The goal is to not only to reduce water usage and run-off but also to skip using fertilizer all together. Fertilizer and freshwater run-off are some of the main …

Communication Majors Create Moving Documentary About Indian River Lagoon

by Lindsay Isaac The most biologically diverse estuary in North America is dying—and Florida Tech students are trying to save it. That became the premise of the 13-minute capstone documentary produced by seniors in Florida Tech’s communication program this semester, Dr. Johnson’s Lab. I was the director of Dr. Johnson’s Lab, which traces the story …

Student Researcher Helping to Make Lawns Lagoon Friendly

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) has been suffering from high nutrient inflows that include stormwater run-off, fertilizer and lawn clippings. These nutrients degrade the lagoon’s water quality which leads to the build-up of muck, algal blooms and consequently major fish die-offs. To combat these issues, the sustainability minor research project of ocean engineering student, Andrew …

Meet our Experts

A group of more than 20 faculty members with decades of scientific research experience related to the Indian River Lagoon have come together to form the Indian River Lagoon Research Institute (IRLRI). Collectively, Florida Tech scientists and engineers are developing solutions to the major issues plaguing the health of the lagoon, including muck and nutrients, lagoon flow, nutrient reduction, sediment loading, ecosystem recovery, policy and management, and engineering technologies. Part of the mission of the IRLRI also includes outreach and education to help the community and lagoon stakeholders understand the importance of IRL problems and their role in creating solutions. The IRLRI collaborates with numerous institutions and agencies along the lagoon with the common goal of improving the lagoon’s eco-system.

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How you can make a difference

Lagoon Forums

A series of informational forums focused on the Indian River Lagoon health, with the goal of connecting scientists, engineers, citizens, and municipalities in a joint effort to find solutions.

	Sustainability in Local Governments of East Florida: Expanding Opportunities Ken Lindeman, Professor, sustainability Program Chair Department of Education & Interdisciplinary Studies
	WHY SUSTAINABILITY? Implementing a Local Sustainability ProgramPresented by: Courtney Barker and Zach Eichholz