Scientists from across the state are on the Space Coast this weekend to help combat the algae and muck crisis in the area.
- Indian River's clarity is poor; might be sign of algae bloom
- New methods being designed to getting rid of muck
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They’re hoping to solve the problems in the Indian River Lagoon.
The Indian River Lagoon Research Institute Technical Conference gets underway Friday at the Florida Institute of Technology.
"I think we're really in that mode now, that crisis mode," said Florida Tech Associate Professor Robert Weaver.
Weaver says the Indian River isn’t getting any better.
The water clarity is reduced, and that’s a sign that algae are still blooming.
At the conference, Weaver says Florida Tech will show off their new way to dredge harmful muck from the bottom of the lagoon.
“We’re designing a new method for getting at the muck that is going to leave the sand in place,” said Weaver, “so it’s a method for pulling the muck off the sea bed without disturbing the sea grasses, without sucking up a lot of sand.”
Weaver says scientists will also present different ways to flush ocean water into the lagoon, and protect the shoreline with oysters and marsh grass.
For more information on the conference, go here.