We work to promote a strong scientific underpinning for the protection and restoration of South Florida's water resources, recreational lands and natural ecosystems, including the Flordia Everglades. Our state-of-the-art facilities give us advanced capabilities for water quality analyses, stable isotope analysis, ecotoxicological studies, identification of algae, and analysis of trace metals and legacy or emergent contaminants.
Our Freshwater Resources Division (which includes our former Southeast Environmental Research Center) carries over 25 years of experience in water quality research and monitoring, water management and Everglades restoration.
Research Chairs & Related Programs
Chairs
Our chairs' work allows us to amplify our impact.
UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security
The UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security, held by Dr. Maria Donoso, is charged with bringing together research and education to address regional, national and global water security issues, through innovative interdisciplinary research and partnerships for sustainability.
Barley Chair
The Barley Chair provides resources to enhance FIU's capacity to research a broader range of associated topics within the Everglades ecosystem and beyond. Barley Chairholder Dr. Evelyn Gaiser leads a lab whose study of algal communities contributes to ecosystem restoration efforts.
Programs
Our programs work to keep our freshwater resources protected and thriving.
CREST Center for Aquatic Chemistry and Environment
Pollutants are having devastating effects on ecosystems including the plants, animals and people who depend on them. Our CREST Center for Aquatic Chemistry and Environment is a National Science Foundation Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology that tackles one of the most complex challenges: environmental contamination.
Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research Program
Our Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program examines how climate change and disturbances interact with shifting management of freshwater resources to determine the dynamics and fate of coastal ecosystem properties, functions and services to people.
Partnerships
Our work couldn't be done as effectively without the collaboration of our many partners, locally and across the world. We work with other universities, NGOs, nonprofits, government organizations and even private citizens to ensure that the work being done to protect our planet is all-encompassing and universal.
Facilities & Services
Bioinorganic and Environmental Analytical Facility
Analysis of mercury and methylmercury, metals and speciation of organometallic compounds
Blue Carbon Analysis Laboratory
Analysis of plant and soil elements
CAChE Nutrient Analysis Core Facility
Analyses of dissolved and total nutrients, chlorophyll-a, organic carbon and more
Coastal Conservation and Restoration Laboratory
Indoor and outdoor facilities for toxicology studies, behavioral studies or swim performance studies
Field Operations Center
Airboats, saltwater boats and other vehicles
Periphyton Analysis Laboratory
Analysis and identification of microalgae including periphyton and phytoplankton
Stable Isotope Laboratory
Analysis of stable isotopes of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen in organic and inorganic solids and water
News
Announcements2021 FIU ForEverglades Scholarship Awardees
Oct 28, 2021
Coastlines and Oceans DivsionSmall plastics can lead to a big problem
Sep 17, 2021
EnvironmentA love of nature paves the path for a beloved career
Sep 15, 2021
Biological SciencesUndergrads across the U.S. join unique coastal environmental research experience at FIU
Aug 20, 2021
AnnouncementsStudent’s passion fuels his future
Jul 16, 2021
AnnouncementsCASE takes top prizes
Jun 21, 2021