Assessment of bloom-forming Cyanobacteria and algae in selected New Jersey lakes

Background/Question/Methods

Anthropogenic nutrient addition has caused algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems around the globe. This study aimed to survey bloom-forming Cyanobacteria and algae in 13 New Jersey lakes. Water samples were collected from three locations at each lake in summer 2011.  Approximately 500 mL of collected water sample from each sampling location were filtered to examine population densities and abundance. Specimens on filtered paper were identified by morphological characteristics under microscope observation.

Results/Conclusions

Lake Saginaw was found to have the highest populations at 6,374 cells/L and Tauton Lake was recorded the lowest at 13 cells/L. The species richness was found to be the highest at Lower Lake (25), and the lowest at Mt. Misery Lake (1). Shannon-Weaver Biodiversity Index numbers was calculated to assess the biodiversities in study sites.  Results of the indexes ranged from 1.64 to 0 with the highest at Echo Lake and the lowest at Mt. Misery Lake. Genus Synneccocus was found to be the most abundant and was the dominant species in 11 out of the 13 lakes.