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On September 26, 2020, the Marine Resources Council celebrated National Estuaries Day by hosting a public webinar, where prominent IRL research scientists made presentations and answered questions on the current health of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary.

MRC Webinar Presentations

The Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network of Environmental Sensors (IRLON):

Addressing Emerging Environmental Issues in the Indian River Lagoon presented by Dr. M. Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., Harbor Branch, Florida Atlantic University, Indian River Lagoon Observatory Director.

Indian River Lagoon Observatory at FAU's Harbor Branch Research Institute in Fort Pierce, Florida uses an estuarine observation network of land/ocean biogeochemical observatory (LOBO) units and weather sensors to provide real-time, high-accuracy, and high-resolution water quality/weather data through the dedicated interactive Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network website.

Proposed IRLON Sites in Brevard

IRL Tributaries Health Update:

Tracking the Pollution Sources of the Lagoon presented by Dr. Leesa Souto, Marine Resources Council Executive Director.

Dr. Souto introduced MRC's new Indian River Lagoon Report Card, a science-based water quality rating system for the IRL. The MRC rates the lagoon's water quality based on Nitrogen and Phosphorus content, chlorophyll, turbidity, and seagrass growth.

IRL Water Quality Indicators

In a nutshell, human-introduced Nitrogen & Phosphorus (nutrient pollution) fuels the growth of chlorophyll (algae), which creates murky turbid water that blocks sunlight and prevents the growth of seagrass, the IRL's key indicator species.

Dr. Souto revealed the 2019 Indian River Lagoon health scores with animated graphics that illustrated the IRL estuary's water quality through the years.

MRC - 2020 North IRL Report Card

Most IRL zones average a D grade with a 60% - 70% score, but there are many areas in fair to good condition with a 70%+ score.

Unfortunately, some North IRL water bodies such as Banana River lagoon, Turnbull Creek, and Big Flounder Creek are in extremely poor health with scores less than 50%.