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Algal Bloom Remote Sensing
NJDEP’s Water Monitoring, Standards and Pesticide Control (WMSPC), in cooperation with the NJ Forest Fire Service and Rutgers University, conduct aircraft remote sensing using phycocyanin measurements for estimating the presence of cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in select NJ lakes. Phycocyanin measurements are used to estimate the cell density and the spatial extent of cyanobacteria. This information is used by WMSPC to strategically deploy staff to collect HAB samples for laboratory analysis. Laboratory analysis of cell density, species and cyanotoxins are used to confirm the presence of HABs and to determine if a recreational Alert level is triggered. To detect potential blooms and assess the status of previously confirmed HABs, the plane flies one day a week (generally on Tuesday) or as needed over lakes with a known history of HABs. Other lakes may be considered and added, however the flight path and phycocyanin sensor resolution is limited to larger lakes. Other screening and status monitoring is performed on smaller lakes via on-site surveys. The overall goal is to inform response actions for public health and safety of NJ residents. To learn more about cyanobacteria and the potential threat to health they may cause, visit DEP’s HAB Page. Alert Postings and laboratory analysis results can be found on the HAB Interactive Map.
| Year | Month | Day |
| Estimated Cells per ml | |||
| 0 - 10,000 | |||
| 10,000 - 20,000 | |||
| 20,000 - 40,000 | |||
| 40,000 - 60,000 | |||
| 60,000 - 80,000 | |||
| 80,000 - 100,000 | |||
| > 100,000 | |||
This interactive map reflects estimated cyanobacterial cell count concentrations in freshwaters through wavelength reflectance signatures (remote sensing). Values displayed through this interactive map may not reflect Alert Postings and results obtained through lab analysis. These estimates are only used to provide guidance as a screening tool for when and where physical water samples need to be collected for laboratory cell counts and species identification. High cell count measurements do not necessarily indicate that a toxic species is present, and they do not estimate toxin presence. The health risks associated with high cell counts are not known until DEP lab staff confirm the species identification, cell count, and toxin concentrations. Alert Postings and laboratory analysis results can be found on the HAB Interactive Map.
