A team from the University of Florida is testing a technique to seal nutrient-rich muck at the lagoon’s bottom, a move that could address decades of pollution. The pilot project, launched in March 2023 near the Sebastian Inlet, involves covering 10 acres of the lagoon floor with a layer of sand and geotextile fabric. The goal is to block excess nutrients from fueling algal blooms that have devastated marine life.
The Indian River Lagoon, which stretches 156 miles along Florida’s east coast, has seen a sharp decline in water quality since the 1980s. Runoff from agriculture, urban development, and septic tanks has created a thick layer of organic muck that releases nitrogen and phosphorus into the water. Researchers say this muck is a primary cause of the lagoon’s recurring dead zones and loss of seagrass beds.
Dr. Laura Thompson, a marine ecologist leading the study, said the capping method is a low-cost alternative to costly water treatment projects. “We’re trying to mimic natural processes that would occur if the lagoon had a healthy ecosystem,” she said during a public meeting in Cocoa last month. The team has already observed a 30% reduction in nitrogen levels in test plots since the project began.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is monitoring the effort, but some local residents remain skeptical. “It’s a gamble,” said Jim Carter, a third-generation fisherman in Melbourne. “We’ve tried so many things that didn’t work. What if this just delays the real solution?” The commission plans to release preliminary results by December 2023.
If successful, the method could be expanded to other parts of the lagoon. However, scientists warn it’s not a standalone fix. “This is one piece of a puzzle,” Thompson said. “We still need to reduce runoff and improve wastewater management.”