Warming Waters, Blooming Dangers: The Surge of Toxic Algal Blooms in Montclair, NJ's Freshwater Ecosystems
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Gregory Pope
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 12:45 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 1:44 PM
Description
With an ever-warming world and eutrophication from anthropogenic processes, the frequency and intensity of cyanobacteria development and associated cyanotoxins have been on the rise worldwide. Monitoring harmful algal blooms in their early stages is crucial because the acquired data plays a significant role in public health protection, water quality management, climate research, and policy development. Warmer global temperatures and the excessive introduction of nutrients into bodies of freshwater, in conjunction with one of the warmest and wettest winters on record in the state of New Jersey, prompt the question: Will warmer, wetter winter conditions lead to earlier occurrences in cyanobacteria blooms and an increase harmful cyanotoxins in freshwater ecosystems throughout the city of Montclair? Research was conducted to provide some clarification regarding the matter. Bodies of freshwater readily accessible to the public, such as the Third River, the Second River, Verona Lake, Yantacaw Pond, and Henderson Pond, were inspected and sampled. Approximately 100 mL of water was collected from each site over four weeks. Samples were then analyzed using the FlowCam 8000 series and peer-reviewed literature to determine what species of cyanobacteria or other microorganisms were present. Once samples were prepared using freeze-thaw cell lysis, they were then assessed for concentrations of Microcystin using ELISA assay kits and an Abraxis instrument. The results are anticipated to yield data that suggests higher temperatures and an increase in rainfall during the winter season in the temperate regions of New Jersey may slightly increase the threshold in which cyanobacteria begin to emerge.
Warming Waters, Blooming Dangers: The Surge of Toxic Algal Blooms in Montclair, NJ's Freshwater Ecosystems
With an ever-warming world and eutrophication from anthropogenic processes, the frequency and intensity of cyanobacteria development and associated cyanotoxins have been on the rise worldwide. Monitoring harmful algal blooms in their early stages is crucial because the acquired data plays a significant role in public health protection, water quality management, climate research, and policy development. Warmer global temperatures and the excessive introduction of nutrients into bodies of freshwater, in conjunction with one of the warmest and wettest winters on record in the state of New Jersey, prompt the question: Will warmer, wetter winter conditions lead to earlier occurrences in cyanobacteria blooms and an increase harmful cyanotoxins in freshwater ecosystems throughout the city of Montclair? Research was conducted to provide some clarification regarding the matter. Bodies of freshwater readily accessible to the public, such as the Third River, the Second River, Verona Lake, Yantacaw Pond, and Henderson Pond, were inspected and sampled. Approximately 100 mL of water was collected from each site over four weeks. Samples were then analyzed using the FlowCam 8000 series and peer-reviewed literature to determine what species of cyanobacteria or other microorganisms were present. Once samples were prepared using freeze-thaw cell lysis, they were then assessed for concentrations of Microcystin using ELISA assay kits and an Abraxis instrument. The results are anticipated to yield data that suggests higher temperatures and an increase in rainfall during the winter season in the temperate regions of New Jersey may slightly increase the threshold in which cyanobacteria begin to emerge.