Toxic cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) have increased in New Jersey ponds, lakes, and reservoirs since 2018. Community water monitoring groups are spread out across the state and can help to quantify the extent of these algal growths through visual lake assessments and phycocyanin measurements submitted to NJDEP’s HAB portal. Click here to report a HAB to NJDEP.
With a bulk equipment loan from the EPA Region 2 Citizen Science Program’s innovation grant, we have a limited number of Turner FluoroSense handheld phycocyanin meters available for loan to community water monitoring groups. Groups can request a fluorometer to measure phycocyanin levels along with a visual assessment to confirm the presence of suspected HABs and to prioritize additional monitoring and action. Equipment loan priority will be given to organizations monitoring high risk waters, including drinking water sources, water bodies with extensive primary and secondary recreation, or water bodies with recurring HABs.
To learn more about monitoring using a handheld FluoroSense meter, click here for a brief instructional video.
