Harmful algal blooms (HABs) from cyanobacteria can be dangerous to people, animals or the ecology. Some, but not all HABs produce chemicals that can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested, inhaled, or if contacted by skin or mucous membranes. These toxins can also accumulate in fish and shellfish which can cause illness when either are consumed. HABs can occur in both the freshwater and marine water environments.
HABs are exacerbated by warmer temperatures and increased amounts of phosphorus in waterways. Pervasive and persistent water quality violations including elevated levels of nitrate, total dissolved solids, fecal/e-coli bacteria, high temperatures and low levels of dissolved oxygen are breeding grounds for toxic HABs.
What are HABs?
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are mostly formed by phytoplankton – an essential and taxonomically diverse group of photosynthetic microorganisms that grow in the water columns of lakes, estuaries and the ocean. Phytoplankton use sunlight and inorganic building blocks including carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous to build more of themselves. In doing so, phytoplankton release oxygen as a byproduct, exemplifying the phrase: “one person’s trash is another’s treasure,” as approximately half of the oxygen we breathe comes from phytoplankton.
In lake ecosystems, the phytoplankton responsible for most HAB events are a type of photosynthetic bacteria known as cyanobacteria, or sometimes called “bluegreen algae.” Cyanobacteria are Earth’s oldest oxygen producing photosynthetic organisms. They were responsible for the oxygenation of Earth’s atmosphere about 2.3 billion years ago.
What can be done to control HABs?
- Maintain a healthy lawn by not using pesticides and by abiding with NJ’s Fertilizer Law to decrease pollutants entering waterways
- Pick up after your pet and dispose waste in trash
- Maintain your septic system
- Use green infrastructure such as rain gardens
- Don’t wash vehicles in the driveway. Utilize commercial car washes to minimize pollutant runoff
- Learn how to identify a HAB vs HAB look-alikes
- Report a HAB to NJDEP
Resources:
- NJ DEP HAB Lake Management Guidance, Factsheets, Training
- Marine Water-Related HABs:
- ANJEC HAB Report Article
- NJDEP HAB website –
- Report a suspected HAB siting: Fill out this form