[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][breadcrumb-shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Algal Bloom Monitoring” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%20Slab%3A100%2C300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css=””]

The purpose of NJDEP’s Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring’s (BMWM) Algal Bloom Monitoring Program is to ensure safe shellfish harvest by avoiding contaminated Harmful Algal Bloom producing bio toxins. HAB’s represent a small subset of phytoplankton species that negatively affect human, animal, and ecosystem health. As part of the State’s compliance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP), NJ is required to develop a BioToxin Contingency Plan  that includes control measures for marine biotoxins. For more details on HABs, see our Marine Harmful Algal Bloom fact sheet .

To protect against HABs and to comply with the NSSP, BMWM manages the two programs below.

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Air Craft Remote Sensing Program” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%20Slab%3A100%2C300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_single_image image=”822″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bmw/images/aircraftnewpic.png”][vc_btn title=”Get Data” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fnjdep.rutgers.edu%2Faircraft%2F|title:remote%20sensing%20data|target:_blank”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_toggle title=”Extensive Spatial Coverage” style=”arrow” color=”blue”]

Through air craft remote sensing, BMWM is able to monitor an expansive area of NJ’s coastline for potential algal blooms. Since monitoring is performed from the air, access to waters along the coast are never an issue.

[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Evaluate Daily Changes” style=”arrow” color=”blue”]

Management can monitor the day to day sensor results to determine if a potential algal bloom is beginning to develop and in which part of the state.

[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Cost Effective” style=”arrow” color=”blue”]The acquisition of this data is done primarily through integration of a remote sensor, laptop, and GPS. All parts are programmatically synced up to measure chlorophyll ‘a’ concentrations. Once setup is complete, minimal costs are required to operate and maintain the system throughout the year.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Strategic Deployment of Staff” style=”arrow” color=”blue”]

High Chlorophyll ‘a’ values can potentially indicate the presence of a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). If the remote sensor indicates elevated Chlorophyll ‘a’ levels, NJDEP will strategically deploy staff to the observed areas of high concentration to collect samples. The samples are analyzed at the Leeds Point laboratory to determine if a HAB species is occurring.

[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Multiple Partner Cooperation” style=”arrow” color=”blue”]

Our Remote Sensing Program could not be done without the cooperation of the NJ Forest Fire Service, Rutgers University, and USEPA Region 2.

[/vc_toggle][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Phytoplankton Monitoring Program” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%20Slab%3A100%2C300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_single_image image=”1458″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3ed11b66d27d41fdb2638b9a12c75c97″][vc_btn title=”Get Data” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fbmw%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F127%2Fdocuments%2Falgalbloommonitoring.zip|title:algal%20bloom%20data|target:_blank”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_toggle title=”Over 45 Monitored Stations” style=”arrow” color=”blue”]

Over 45 fixed stations are visited multiple times during the year. Samples are collected and brought back to the Leeds Point laboratory facility to determine if any Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) species are present.

[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Collected Year Round” style=”arrow” color=”blue”]

To help with identification of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), the bureau collects water samples year round throughout the coastal waters of NJ.

[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Integrated into National Shellfish Sanitation Program” style=”arrow” color=”blue”]

BMWM has integrated the monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) into its routine National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) network. This optimizes both the temporal and spatial frequency when monitoring for potential HAB development.

[/vc_toggle][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]

Phytoplankton QAPP

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

You can help…

Besides being potentially toxic to humans through shellfish consumption, algal blooms may have other harmful effects including marine fauna kills, mild toxicity to bathers and reduced aesthetic quality.

If you have observed discolored coastal water within the past week, note the location (longitude & latitude if possible), date and time that you made the observation, and general description of the location. You can then contact the NJDEP Hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP. In addition, you may also contact us with concerns and additional information.

For more information related to HABs, you can visit the Division of Water Monitoring, Standards & Pesticide Control(DWMS&PC) and Bureau of Freshwater & Biological Monitoring HAB pages.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]