{"id":441,"date":"2019-10-30T16:13:08","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T20:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/water-science\/?page_id=441"},"modified":"2026-02-16T15:39:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T20:39:29","slug":"phytoplankton","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/water-science\/phytoplankton\/","title":{"rendered":"Phytoplankton"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Wu Lab studies the biodiversity of aquatic microorganisms and investigates the changing dynamics of cyanobacteria-dominated harmful algal blooms. Phytoplankton\u2013photosynthetic microorganisms that drift throughout open waters\u2013are incredibly diverse, and serve an invaluable ecological service by producing more than half of the world\u2019s oxygen. The term \u201cphytoplankton\u201d may refer to dinoflagellates, diatoms, algae, and cyanobacteria.<\/p>\n

To provide a visual resource for identification of common cyanobacteria found in lakes, rivers and reservoirs of New Jersey, we created a Visual Guide to Cyanobacteria in New Jersey<\/a> and a Guide to Freshwater Algae of New Jersey<\/a>, which covers a wide variety of algae and other microorganisms that can be found in New Jersey’s freshwater environments.<\/p>\n

While there is no single factor that triggers a harmful algal bloom event, conditions including pollutions and increased nutrient influx can lead to the rapid growth of cyanobacteria; though cyanobacteria are a natural part of healthy ecosystems, this abnormally rapid growth is part of what constitutes a cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (HAB)<\/em>. These blooms are a major public health concern, due to the dangerous cyanobacterial toxins (cyanotoxins) they can produce, as well as an ecological concern; harmful cyanobacterial blooms can create deadly anoxic conditions for aquatic wildlife.<\/p>\n

Cyanotoxins include neurotoxins, which affect the nervous system; hepatotoxins, which affect the liver; dermatoxins, which affect the skin; and other classes of toxins. Some of the most common toxins associated with human illnesses are microcystins, cylindrospermopsin, anatoxins, and saxitoxins. Based on the current trend of global climate change, cyanobacteria-dominated\u00a0harmful algal blooms\u00a0are expected to increase in both frequency, duration and magnitude resulting in declining water quality and damaging ecosystem integrity.<\/p>\n

If there is a HAB present, the water can range from pea-green to blue-green in color. The water\u2019s surface may have parallel streaks, a spilled paint appearance, foam, or scum. There may be green globs\/dots in the water. If you suspect there is a HAB, when in doubt, stay out of the water!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your pets<\/h2>\n