In this post, we’ll explore the top algal bloom hotspots in the U.S., the reasons behind their vulnerability, and what’s being done to monitor and mitigate these growing threats. 

In this blog post, we’ll dive into how fluorometers work, what they measure, and why they’ve become essential for maintaining clean drinking water in a world facing increasing water quality concerns. 

When most people picture a day at the beach, they imagine sunshine, waves, and pristine waters. But in many coastal communities, a less picturesque phenomenon has become an increasing concern—harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Understanding the chemistry behind algal blooms is key to early detection, effective monitoring, and mitigating their impacts. Fortunately, water testing technologies are revealing powerful insights into what’s really happening below the surface. 

As algal blooms become more frequent and severe due to nutrient pollution and climate change, community-driven monitoring efforts are playing a vital role in safeguarding water quality and ecosystem health. Local stewards—citizens, educators, nonprofit groups, and tribal communities—are increasingly stepping up to fill critical data gaps, improve early detection, and advocate for more responsive environmental management. 

In a closed-loop system, every aspect of the environment must be carefully controlled—dissolved oxygen, ammonia, pH, turbidity, and other water quality parameters are continuously monitored. Fluorometers play a crucial role in ensuring the health of both the water and the fish within these systems.

Real-time monitoring with fluorometers and turbidity sensors ensures optimal water quality in aquaculture, enhancing fish health, preventing disease, and promoting sustainable seafood production.​

Wastewater treatment plants are tasked with removing contaminants from water before it’s safely released back into the environment. With the complexity and volume of wastewater treatment, traditional monitoring methods can be slow and labor-intensive. However, fluorometers are transforming how these plants operate by providing rapid, real-time measurements of water quality.

Real-time wastewater monitoring with fluorometers enables instant contaminant detection, helping treatment plants adjust quickly, prevent pollution, meet regulations, and better protect public health and the environment.