Report a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation or to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Report HAB in NY
Report HAB in PA
To report a suspected HAB in Pennsylvania, or for other inquiries about HABs, contact the Pennsylvania HABs Task Force at HABs@pa.gov. Source: "What are HABs?" - PA.gov
Diagram: What causes Cyanobacteria Blooms
What is a Harmful Algal Bloom?
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) consist of visible patches of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are naturally present in low numbers in most aquatic systems, however they can multiply rapidly under the right conditions and form blooms. Several types of cyanobacteria can produce toxins and other harmful compounds that can pose health risks to people and animals through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation. Most algae are harmless. Certain types of algae can grow quickly and form blooms – covering all or portions of a lake. Sometimes even large algal blooms are not necessarily harmful. Only blooms of algal species that produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals are referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms.
What does a Harmful Algal Bloom look like?
- May look like parallel streaks, usually green, on water surface.
- May look like green dots, clumps or globs on the water surface.
- May look like blue, green or white spilled paint on the water surface.
- May look bright green or like pea soup.
What Non-Toxic Green Algal Blooms Look Like
- May look like thick mats on the water surface.
- May look like floating rafts on the water.
- May look like bubbling scum on the water and may be entangled with other plant material.
- May look silky, hairy or like wet fabric.
What Causes Cyanobacteria Blooms?
Sunlight + Warm, calm surface water + (Rainfall -> Runoff: Excessive phosphorus and nitrogen from runoff) = cyanobacteria bloom
Rivers carry excessive phosphorus and nitrogen to lakes from...
- Wastewater treatment plants
- Faulty septic systems
- Residential/urban runoff
- Agricultural runoff
How HABs Form
HABs are usually caused by a combination of water and environmental conditions such as
- Excess Nutrients (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) This can be caused by human activities such as agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge and urban stormwater runoff.
- Warm Temperatures
- Lots of Sunlight
- Low Water Conditions
- Calm Winds
Depending upon conditions, HABs can either be short lived (lasting a few hours), or long lived (lasting for several weeks or longer).
Health Impacts
Exposure to toxins from Harmful Algal Blooms can cause health symptoms in humans such as ...
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Liver Damage
- Neurological Problems
- Other Symptoms
Exposure to HABs
People can become exposed to HABs through skin contact with contaminated water (washing hands, bathing, etc), or consuming contaminated water (eating fish or shellfish in contaminated water, drinking, cooking with contaminated water, etc)
Harmful Algal Blooms in New York State
For information on HABs in New York State
To view the "Harmful Algal Blooms" kiosk panel that is currently located at Onoville Marina Park, Click Here