Florida’s coastline is increasingly impacted by massive Sargassum blooms, creating ecological, economic, and public health challenges. Traditional disposal methods—such as landfilling, burial, and composting—are costly and raise concerns over arsenic accumulation. This project proposes an innovative waste-to-value approach that employs Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) bioconversion to transform Sargassum into aquaculture feed and organic fertilizer. In Year 1, we will first conduct controlled trials using the University of Miami’s Experimental BSFL System to evaluate strategies to minimize arsenic accumulation and assess nutritional and toxicological profiles. In the second half of Year 1, the most effective strategy will be evaluated on a greater scale at Compost for Life’s composting facility using a custom-built system to simulate commercial production. Following confirmation of arsenic reduction, Year 2 will involve deployment of a modular BSFL bioreactor capable of processing up to ~25 tons of organic waste, producing ~8 tons of larvae and ~12 tons of frass. An assessment will be conducted of biomass yield, feed conversion efficiency, and arsenic speciation. In addition, the potential of BSFL meal as an aquaculture feed ingredient will be evaluated through a finfish feeding trial. Frass will also be assessed for its suitability as a fertilizer in crop systems. Outreach led by the University of Miami Sustainability Office will include workshops and public engagement. The project supports Florida’s coastal resilience goals by advancing scalable waste valorization and the production of high value, environmentally responsible products.
Dr. Daniel Benetti (PI, UM); researchers from the University of Miami and Compost for Life.
