The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) extends 156 miles from Volusia County at the Ponce de Leon Inlet down to Palm Beach County, specifically Jupiter Inlet. This lagoon is a composition of 3 connecting bodies of water, the Mosquito Lagoon at the north end, the Banana River, and the Indian River Lagoon at the south end. The IRL system is created by a network of barrier islands on Florida’s eastern coast. The unique characteristic of the lagoon is that it covers both temperate and sub-tropical zones, producing an abundance of diversity across these zones. Because of the diversity of biota and the beauty of the environment, the tourism and fishing industries are a huge component of economic income to Florida state. The increased economic benefit is increasing urbanization in areas proximal to the IRL. Urbanization is having a detrimental effect on the entire lagoon system, causing death to the biota such as dolphins, pelicans, mangroves, and manatees. An increase in fine sediment, contributing to muck in the system, has choked out fish, decreased aquatic plants, and caused other impacts up the food chain. Boating on these waters stirs up the muck, …show more content…
Lake Okeechobee drains into the lagoon, releasing excessive amounts of nutrients at unprecedented rates. Urbanized surface runoff and increased agricultural runoff also contributes to local nutrient inputs to the lagoon. There are many wastewater facilities feeding into water systems that lead into the IRL. In addition, hazardous industrial waste facilities are closely located in areas draining towards the lagoon. These factors are significant in their alteration of natural levels of nutrients and toxins. Inputs of this nature and occurring at alarming rates change the chemistry of the water, affecting biogeochemical cycles of biota, and destroying this precious