Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Testing

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Testing Services

Toxic, harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by cyanobacteria are a growing concern in both freshwater and marine environments. Rising temperatures, nutrient runoff, and stagnant water conditions are fueling the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms (HABs), which threaten water quality, aquatic life, and public health.

EnviroScience brings decades of scientific expertise to HAB monitoring and response. Our team has supported federally funded water quality programs while continuing to serve clients of all sizes—from national agencies to local lake associations. We provide fast, accurate toxin testing, taxonomic identification, and expert consultation to help you detect risks early and make informed decisions.

Why Harmful Algal Bloom Testing Matters

Harmful algal blooms can occur rapidly and unpredictably. Under favorable conditions—warm temperatures, abundant sunlight, and high nutrient levels—certain cyanobacteria (commonly known as blue-green algae) can reproduce explosively and release dangerous toxins known as cyanotoxins.

These toxins have been linked to illnesses and fatalities in wildlife, livestock, pets, and humans, particularly through ingestion or contact in drinking water or recreational settings. In addition to health risks, HABs can also cause:

• Taste and odor problems in drinking water
• Oxygen depletion in aquatic systems
• Blockage of sunlight to submerged vegetation
• Disruption of recreational activities and ecological balance

Because cyanotoxins are extremely potent, regulatory agencies have established strict guidance values for both drinking and recreational waters—even at very low concentrations.

Cyanotoxin Testing Methods

EnviroScience uses advanced, industry-validated laboratory methods to detect and quantify harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. These analyses are essential for confirming bloom toxicity and guiding timely mitigation efforts. We offer two proven approaches:

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)
A highly sensitive method ideal for routine monitoring of common cyanotoxins:

• Microcystins (including Microcystin-LR)
• Anatoxin-a
• Saxitoxins
• Cylindrospermopsin

qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction)
A DNA-based test that identifies genes responsible for toxin production:

• Microcystin/Nodularin
• Cylindrospermopsin
• Saxitoxin
  A qPCR method for Anatoxin-a is currently in development.

Both methods offer fast, reliable results—with most samples processed within 24–48 hours of receipt.

Algae Identification & Harmful Algal Bloom Characterization

Understanding what organisms are present is just as important as detecting their toxins. Our experts identify and quantify algal species to assess bloom dynamics, toxicity potential, and overall ecological impact—with services that include:

• Microscopic identification of phytoplankton, periphyton, and cyanobacteria to genus/species level
• Cyanobacterial enumeration with biovolume calculations
• Photomicroscopy and permanent slide archiving
• Identification of common toxin-producing genera, including:
  • Microcystis
  • Planktothrix
  • Dolichospermum (formerly Anabaena)
  • Cylindrospermopsis

Sample Collection & Support Services

Whether you’re managing a public reservoir or a private pond, EnviroScience makes sampling and testing simple:

• Turn-key sampling kits with prepaid shipping and intuitive instructions
• Remote support and consultation from aquatic biologists and limnologists
• Customized monitoring plans tailored to your specific site
• Rapid turnaround on lab analysis for timely decision-making

We support both proactive monitoring and emergency response, helping you act quickly and confidently when HAB threats arise.

The EnviroScience Difference

At EnviroScience, we don’t treat water samples as commodities—we approach each project with the care and rigor of a scientific partner. Our laboratory is equipped with research-grade microscopes, and our specialists include experienced aquatic biologists and limnologists who understand the real-world implications of harmful algal blooms.

We collaborate with academic institutions and national monitoring programs, ensuring that our methodologies reflect the latest standards in algal toxin detection and identification. Our team is not only equipped to deliver reliable lab results, but also to help you interpret data, prioritize action, and develop solutions tailored to your site.

Comprehensive Lake & Watershed Services

EnviroScience offers more than HAB testing—we provide integrated aquatic science and lake management services to support long-term water quality goals:

• Comprehensive lake and reservoir management
• Watershed assessment and nutrient reduction planning
• Algae and macrophyte control strategies
• Fishery evaluations and diagnostic lake surveys
• Custom monitoring programs and reporting

Our work helps communities and private landowners understand bloom dynamics, identify contributing factors, and implement science-based mitigation strategies that protect water resources over time.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re facing a suspected bloom or preparing for seasonal monitoring, EnviroScience can help. We’ll guide you from sampling to analysis to next steps, providing actionable insights with unmatched technical support. For more information or to request a quote, complete the form below or give us a call at 800.940.4025 today!

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Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.