Cyanotoxin and Cyanobacterial density variation Among Small Freshwater Lakes within the Hudson Highlands of the New York/Connecticut Border

Abstract

Cyanobacterial populations which photosynthesize and multiply rapidly, potentially releasing toxins known as cyanotoxins, are known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Phycocyanin is a photosynthetic pigment within cyanobacteria. Phycocyanin abundance can be quantified in freshwater lakes using a handheld fluorometer which reports readings as Raw Fluorescent Units (RFUs). Microcystin is a hepatotoxin commonly present in HABs. Microcystin abundance was quantified using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). This study found no universal relationship between microcystin concentrations and phycocyanin concentrations across five local lakes located in northern Fairfield and southeastern Putnam Counties. While two study sites (Putnam Lake and Squantz Pond) did produce strong positive relationships between phycocyanin and microcystin concentrations, no site exceeded public health guideline for concentrations of microcystin throughout the duration of this study.