Toxic cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) have increased in New Jersey ponds, lakes, and reservoirs since 2018 and in many other states in the US. There have been tremendous efforts from state levels and to communities to fight against this water pollution. For instance, the HAB monitoring program has been launched in New Jersey with the involvement of federal and state agencies, universities, and community stakeholders. Besides water monitoring, nutrient management and community projects to prevent nutrient load and reduce algal occurrences have also been focused areas of effort. Meanwhile, algal biotechnology has long been a national research priority to provide the third generation of sustainable biomass feedstock for biofuels and other important commodity products such as proteins and vitamins. Proper cultivation and selection of algae could benefit the environment such as nutrient removal in tertiary wastewater treatment and carbon dioxide capture from ambient air or industrial waste gas (e.g., flue gas). Thus, algal research and algal biotechnology are critical for advancing our knowledge and promoting sustainability.

This regional workshop aims to promote knowledge exchange and cooperation in the field of algal bloom mitigation, biomass production, and use. The workshop will provide a consortium for academic faculty, industrial practitioners and experts, federal and state agencies together in New Jersey and other regions. The host institution, NJIT, is a state university with comprehensive science and engineering programs and vibrant research activities related to water and wastewater treatment. NJIT will team up with state agencies such as Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute (MRRI) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to co-host this event. Moreover, the key partners and participants will include faculty and students from NJIT, Stevens, Princeton, Rutgers, Columbia, NYU, CUNY, Clarkson, Montclair, SUNY-ESF, Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology at the University of Maryland, and Cornell as well as industrial participants such as Moleaer, Princeton Hydro, BRISEA, Mott McDonald, etc.

The workshop will be featured for keynote speakers to talk, demonstrations, and student posters. Registered workshop attendees will receive a free lunch buffet, networking opportunities, and 1 PDH or CEU from AWWA.