Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID NJ_FY2025_HSU

Assessing seasonal and spatial dynamics of cyanotoxin productions and associated health risks in drinking water source water

Institute: New Jersey
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $25,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $25,244

Principal Investigators: Tsung-Ta Hsu

Project Summary: Freshwater cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) are associated with elevated cyanobacterial biomass and cyanotoxins, increasing operation costs for water utilities, reducing local recreational revenues, posing threats to public and ecosystem health. Understanding HAB better is a key priority for the Water Quality Focus Area listed in the USGS's Water Resources Research Act Program. Located on the border of New Jersey and New York, Greenwood Lake serves as a key water source for downstream Monksville and Wanaque Reservoir, which can supply water to more than 3 million Northern New Jersey residents at peak capacity. However, Greenwood has been well documented with recurring and overwintering CyanoHABs, highlighting the need to further investigate CyanoHABs in drinking water source water. This proposed project seeks to investigate seasonal and spatial dynamics of cyanotoxin productions and associated health risks at Greenwood Lake using two advanced analytical tools, including environmental DNA and LC-MS. Specific objective include to: (1) determine levels of various cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin-producing molecular markers to evaluate potentials for CyanoHAB events; (2) quantify specific major microcystin variants to further understand the associated health risks; and (3) identify significant environmental variables triggering CyanoHAB events. The outcome of this project will be able to fill the current knowledge gap about the application of advanced analytical tools for CyanoHAB monitoring, engage with water quality stakeholders, help build large scale routing monitoring program, and inform policy decision related to HAB and the quality of drinking water source water.