Monitoring HCBs with the bloomWatch App

by Leah Hicks, NALMS Community-Based Science Intern With the occurrence of harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs) increasing throughout the world, it is of the utmost importance to increase community awareness about water safety when cyanobacteria are present. Cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae, are small bacteria found in waterbodies throughout the world. They are some of the earth’s oldest living organisms. When some cyanobacteria are found in high concentrations they form blooms, which are characterized by a discoloration of the water (often green/blue green, but these harmful blooms can also be red, brown, yellow, or ...