IRLRI TechCon Analyzes Indian River Lagoon Solutions

Scientists and researchers from around Florida examined the latest efforts to fix the ailing Indian River Lagoon as Florida Tech’s Indian River Lagoon Research Institute hosted the fourth annual Technical Conference on Coastal Water Quality Sept. 28.

Featuring keynote speakers, oral presentations and a posters reception, the daylong conference exploreed five themes: Combating coastal degradation; muck removal and control; novel approaches to water quality improvements; policy, permitting and planning, governance; and restoration techniques.

Presentations included innovative techniques to remove muck; methods to replace plastic utilized in oyster reef restoration; enhanced septic tank technologies; defining indicators for the health of the Indian River Lagoon; comparing hydrodynamic characteristics of oyster reefs of different ages; climate based vulnerability assessments; and septic policies for the Indian River Lagoon.