UF Center for Coastal Solutions

Predicting algal blooms in waterways with multiple inflow sources is challenging, as blooms and their drivers can arise from various sources, and traditional models are often too complex for day-to-day decision-making. María Elena Menchú Maldonado, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research scholar at North Carolina State University, and her team have developed a framework to predict the risk of an algal bloom a day ahead in the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary. Their approach includes two models, one for lake-dominated conditions and another for watershed-driven inputs. The result? The lake-based model was highly accurate, providing managers with a practical, easy-to-use tool for daily decision-making. Since blooms linked to Lake Okeechobee releases can potentially be controlled through water control structures, this model offers a strategic way to reduce downstream bloom risks and improve water quality. ??Full paper: https://lnkd.in/eYJpvduC ??Q&A with lead author Menchú-Maldonado: https://lnkd.in/eqaN-TpU.? María Elena Menchú Maldonado David Kaplan Mauricio E. Arias, PhD, PE Eric Milbrandt? Elise Morrison Edward Phlips Natalie Nelson North Carolina State University UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment?University of South Florida Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)

Congratulations to Ph.D. student Saurav Shrestha on receiving the Florida Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship! This fellowship will support Saurav’s research on how calm to moderate wave and wind conditions contribute to the weakening of Florida’s dune system, with a particular focus on dune toe collapse and erosion in Flagler County. Additionally, he will develop monitoring and mitigation strategies using modern soil mechanics to improve the preparedness and resilience of coastal dunes against future storms. “As a recipient of the Florida Sea Grant fellowship, I am immensely happy to implement my knowledge into real-world applications,” says Saurav. “The funding will provide me with the freedom to conduct high-quality fieldwork and advanced modeling, strengthening both the scientific and practical contributions of my work. While this is a great recognition, I also feel responsible for delivering meaningful results that provide coastal management strategies. “I sincerely want to thank the Florida Sea Grant 2024-25 Graduate Student Coastal and Ocean Research Fellowship Program for this invaluable opportunity. I am grateful to my Ph.D. advisor Dr. Nina Stark for her unwavering support and encouragement, as well as my research group for their assistance in both and off the field. I also want to thank Dr. Ansley Wren Key from the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners for her collaboration on this project.”

The Oh Lab received an NSF Research Grant! "RAPID: Impact of Back-to-Back Major Hurricanes on Antibiotic Resistance Gene Transfer to Autochthonous Bacteria in Estuarine and Coastal Water Systems". Hurricanes and storm surges significantly impact coastal areas, where nearly 30% of the U.S. population resides, transporting various contaminants—including microplastics and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs)—into coastal waters. It is often assumed that elevated contaminant levels decrease rapidly as inland discharges are diluted by tidal and ocean currents. However, we hypothesize that microplastics may serve as reservoirs for ARGs discharged from inland sources, facilitating their transfer to indigenous marine bacteria. We collected samples following two consecutive major hurricanes, Helene and Milton, and will investigate the mechanisms by which inland-origin ARGs transfer to marine bacteria—including V. vulnificus (flesh-eating bacteria), which coincidentally caused an outbreak in Florida. We extend our gratitude to co-PIs Dr. Elise Morrison and Dr. Sungyoon Jung. We also appreciate Dr. Christine Angelini, UF Center for Coastal Solutions, and local agencies, including the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP), David Tomasko, Ph.D. from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP), the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and the Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP), for assisting with sample collection. A special thanks to the NSF Environmental Engineering (1440 program) for supporting this research!

How can machine learning help explain the drivers of Florida's persistent red tide blooms? Find out at the UF Howard T. Odum Center for Wetlands' Water, Wetlands and Watersheds Seminar this Wednesday at 11:45 a.m.! Nick Chin, a Ph.D. candidate at the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment, will share key findings on AI integration in physical modeling and explore how data-driven approaches can empower policymakers and scientists to better protect coastal ecosystems. Watch the livestream/recorded talk at https://lnkd.in/erWsGa8z.

The survival of eelgrass, once the dominant seagrass species in Chesapeake Bay—the nation’s largest estuary—is now severely threatened, primarily due to rising temperatures and heatwaves. Traditional seagrass restoration efforts in the bay have struggled to sustain healthy seagrass meadows. However, innovative research led by experts such as Enie Hensel, Ph.D., is yielding promising results, offering hope for restoring seagrass in the face of increasing temperatures. Enie, a senior postdoctoral research associate at the UF IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station and UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, led an experiment that expanded seagrass habitat restoration in the bay by 98 percent, using adaptive strategies to address changing environmental conditions. Learn more about this adaptive seagrass restoration effort at https://lnkd.in/e5NgecNd. UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

When Hurricane Idalia struck Florida's Big Bend in 2023, University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning Associate Professor and CCS affiliate faculty member Jeffrey Carney and his team had already mapped out the flood zones. Their predictions were spot on — city hall, historic downtown and key infrastructure were flooded. With expert guidance from FIBER, the city relocated city hall to higher ground, improved drainage, and focused on resilience-boosting projects. Barely a year later, Hurricane Helene hit even harder. Thanks to these proactive efforts, Cedar Key was better prepared. UF researchers are working across Florida to help communities adapt to climate challenges and build a more resilient future. Read more about their work at https://lnkd.in/e8frqz7V. Yan Wang Lisa Sundahl-Platt Ph.D., MS, CSSBB, EDAC, LEED AP-BDC Shangde Gao

??Fieldwork opportunity! We’re looking for four AAUS-certified scientific divers to help with a seagrass conservation project in St. Andrew Sound, Florida, from May 19-30, 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in marine science. ? Experience and qualifications: - AAUS scientific diver certification - Comfortable working long hours in the water - Passionate about marine conservation ?? For more details about these paid positions, contact CCS Postdoctoral Associate Beatriz Marin Diaz, Ph.D. at [email protected].

A warm congratulations to Sharon R. (CCS), Paloma Carton de Grammont, Ph.D., Sarah M., Darlene Saindon Velez, Max Williams, and Sheeja George, Ph.D., on their well-deserved nomination for the UF Superior Accomplishment Awards by Matthew Cohen, Ph.D.! This exceptional team led the coordination of a $176 million proposal for an integrative water data center that would transform water data science at UF and across Florida. In just three months, they collaborated with 97 participants to produce a nearly 300-page proposal—a feat that demanded strategic vision, seamless coordination, and an outstanding team culture. Their efforts have already strengthened collaboration among Florida’s university institutions in the water science space. “One of the sponsors from the Florida Council of 100 remarked that what the UF team pulled off was judged to be impossible. I agree, in general, but this team made the impossible possible,” says Cohen.? UF Water Institute University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences?

Thank you for making waves for the CCS! Your gifts will power student learning, networking opportunities and advanced research at the center. #AllForTheGators

?? Gators, It’s the Two-Bits Power Hour! ? Keep the momentum going—your gift today makes a real difference in restoring and protecting Florida’s coasts ??. Donate today to double your impact! ?? A generous donor will match every dollar up to $1,000 until the end of today! ? Don’t wait—give now to ensure your gift counts before the match runs out! Your support helps restore and protect Florida’s coasts and with a 1:1 match, you double the difference you make! ?? Donate now ?? UFgive.to/giveCCS25/ #AllForTheGators #StandUpAndHoller