Ontogeny of Microbial Community Structure in Shoal Grass Grown In Biochar-Amended Sediments

Authors

• Sajeda Slhoub, Florida Institute of Technology
• Nicole Katz, Florida Institute of Technology
• Joey Ciocher, Florida Institute of Technology
• Jack Denvir, Florida Institute of Technology
• Jenisse Louis, Florida Institute of Technology
• Katelynn Zagami, Florida Institute of Technology

Document Type

Poster

Publication Title

Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase

Abstract

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in the United States and contributes over $55.4 billion annually to Florida’s economy. Since 2010, more than 52% of the IRL seagrass meadows have been lost, reducing both the ecological and the economic potential of this ecosystem. Biochar, a stable carbon material produced by pyrolysis, added to soil enhance organic productivity perhaps because of increased microbial activity in the soil (Lehmann et al., 2017). Our study evaluates the use of biochar to grow resilient strains of seagrass for ecosystem restoration in the IRL.

Advisor

Ralph Turingan, Toufiq Reza

Publication Date

4-24-2026

Recommended Citation

Slhoub, Sajeda; Katz, Nicole; Ciocher, Joey; Denvir, Jack; Louis, Jenisse; and Zagami, Katelynn, "Ontogeny of Microbial Community Structure in Shoal Grass Grown In Biochar-Amended Sediments" (2026). Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications. 90.
https://repository.fit.edu/oems_student/90