Greenwater Laboratories

10/13/2026

We're told to stay away from blue-green algae in lakes. So why do people stir it into their smoothies? 🤔

Spirulina and AFA supplements are made from cyanobacteria. They can be nutritious, but the toxins from harmful algal blooms can contaminate them, and those toxins don't go away just because they're in a capsule.

Studies have found microcystins, a group of liver toxins, in algae supplements at levels well above safety limits. Supplements also don't need FDA approval before they hit store shelves.

Our new blog explains what to look for, what to ask manufacturers, and how to get a product tested. 👇

Spirulina and AFA supplements can be contaminated with microcystins and other cyanotoxins. Learn the risks, regulatory gaps and how to get products tested.

10/06/2026

Meet Amanda Foss, President and lead chemist here at GreenWater Laboratories! 👩‍🔬💧

Amanda has been analyzing cyanotoxins, the toxins produced by harmful algal blooms, for more than 20 years. She has done a bit of everything in the lab. She has grown cyanobacteria, purified their toxins, identified algae under the microscope, and run advanced toxin analyses. Today she oversees all of our lab work and leads research on new ways to detect and measure algal toxins.

She also runs CyanoLab, our division that makes purified reference materials used by labs around the world. 🌎

Amanda believes great science comes from curiosity, collaboration, and sharing what you learn. In her words: "Quality scientists are hard to find, so it is something I strive to be every day." 💚

We're proud to have her leading the way!

09/30/2026

🌊 Myth vs Fact: "Blue-green algae is just pond scum."

❌ Myth: It's just scummy-looking water, no big deal.

✅ Fact: Blue-green algae are actually cyanobacteria, meaning they are more closely related to bacteria than other algae. Some species produce toxins that can seriously harm pets, livestock, and wildlife. These toxins can affect the liver and nervous system, and exposure can happen just from swimming in or drinking the water.

Here's the tricky part: not every bloom looks dangerous, and some toxic blooms don't look all that different from harmless ones. The only way to know for sure? Lab testing.

So next time you see a green, scummy, or discolored patch of water, it's worth a second look before letting pets swim or drink nearby. 🐾

09/22/2026

📦 Shipping a sample for HAB toxin testing? Here's what to know first.

Getting accurate results starts before the sample even leaves your hands. A few tips to keep in mind:

🔹 Collect the water or algal scum first, this helps identify what's in the bloom and confirm toxin levels
🔹 If an animal was exposed, include clinical samples too (not just the water) for the fullest picture
🔹 Keep samples properly stored (cold or frozen) from collection through shipping
🔹 Don't forget your Chain of Custody (COC) form, every submission needs one

A little extra care at this stage helps avoid delays and keeps your results as accurate as possible.

Full instructions on what to collect, how to store it, and how to ship it are on our website. 👉 greenwaterlab.com

09/16/2026

🐾 Can harmful algal blooms hurt your dog or livestock? Yes, and they're often the most vulnerable.

Dogs and livestock are among the animals most frequently affected by harmful algal blooms (HABs), simply because they drink from or swim in toxin-laden water right along the shoreline. HABs have also been linked to mass mortality events in fish, birds, and other wildlife.

If you suspect a HAB event has affected an animal, quick action matters. Collect water or bloom material first: this helps identify the algae present and confirm toxin levels. Because many incidents involve multiple toxins or environmental stressors, submitting both source material (water/scum) AND clinical or necropsy specimens gives the most complete diagnostic picture.

🔬 We test for microcystins/nodularins, anatoxins, cylindrospermopsins, saxitoxins, guanitoxin, aetokthonotoxin, and brevetoxins.

If you spot a suspicious bloom near where pets or livestock swim or drink, keep them away and reach out, we're here to help identify what you're dealing with.

👉 Learn more about sample collection at greenwaterlab.com

09/09/2026

Not all cyanobacteria produce toxins, and different cyanobacteria can produce different types of cyanotoxins. Understanding the most common ones is an important part of understanding harmful algal blooms.

Here are four cyanotoxins you may encounter in HAB monitoring:

🔬 Microcystins — A group of toxins commonly associated with freshwater cyanobacterial blooms.

🔬 Anatoxin — A neurotoxin produced by some cyanobacteria.

🔬 Cylindrospermopsin — A cyanotoxin that can affect multiple organ systems and is an important concern in water quality monitoring.

🔬 Saxitoxin — A potent neurotoxin that can be produced by certain cyanobacteria.

The presence, concentration, and type of toxin can vary depending on the organisms present and environmental conditions. That's why identifying and measuring cyanotoxins through laboratory testing is an important part of HAB monitoring.

Swipe through to see each one under the microscope. ➡️

09/01/2026

🔬 UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: Gloeotrichia

In the water, Gloeotrichia may look like small, fuzzy yellow spheres. But under the microscope, there's much more to see.

Each sphere is made up of filaments radiating from the center and narrowing toward their ends, creating Gloeotrichia's fun spiky appearance.

Careful! These colonies can produce microcystins, cyanotoxins that can be harmful to people and animals.

As a colony breaks apart, another fascinating feature becomes visible: at the center of the colony, the filaments terminate in specialized round cells called heterocytes.

What looks like a tiny yellow sphere in the water becomes an intricate community under the microscope.

08/26/2026

On behalf of the Florida Department of Health - Clay:

The Florida Department of Health in Clay County (DOH-Clay) cautions the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Doctors Lake-Center, Lake Brooklyn-SW Section, and St. Johns River at Hibernia Point on August 24, 2026.

Water sample testing is underway. Blue-green algae have the potential to produce toxins. Since environmental conditions can change at any time, exercise caution even if toxins have not yet been confirmed.

Residents and visitors are advised:

• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with water where there is a visible bloom.

• Wash skin and clothing with soap and water after contact with algae, discolored water, or water that smells unpleasant.

• Keep pets and livestock away from affected waters. Provide an alternative source of water.

• Do not cook or clean dishes with contaminated water. Boiling will not eliminate toxins.

• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fillets with tap or bottled water, discard the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.

• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

Blue-green algae may appear as scum, foam, paint-like material, floating mats, or discolored water and can produce unpleasant odors. They may also be present when a bloom is not visible.

For current water quality information, toxin results, and information about blue-green algae, visit Protecting Florida Together: https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/environmental-health/harmful-algal-blooms/blue-green-algae

To report an algae bloom, call DEP at 1-855-305-3903. To report symptoms after exposure, call the Florida Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222.

For health questions or concerns, call DOH-Clay at 904-278-3784.

08/25/2026

👀 Why Does Water Testing Matter?

A green, cloudy, or discolored patch of water may be a warning sign, but what you see on the surface doesn't tell the whole story.

Visual inspection can help identify a potentially harmful algal bloom (HAB), but it can't tell you:
🧪 Which organisms are present
🧪 Whether cyanobacteria are producing toxins
🧪 Which cyanotoxins are present
🧪 How much toxin is in the water

That's where laboratory testing comes in.

Cyanotoxin testing provides the data needed to better understand what's happening in the water and make informed decisions about monitoring, management, and potential exposure.

When it comes to harmful algal blooms, don't rely on your eyes alone. Test the water.

08/19/2026

Since 2001, GreenWater Laboratories has been dedicated to one thing: advancing the science of harmful algal blooms.

For more than 20 years, we've remained the nation's only private full-service laboratory focused exclusively on cyanobacteria and the toxins they produce. That specialized focus allows us to provide accurate, reliable testing while contributing to the broader scientific understanding of harmful algal blooms.

What makes us different? We believe scientific progress should be shared. Our team actively contributes to peer-reviewed research, helping improve knowledge and testing methods that benefit researchers, water professionals, government agencies, and communities around the world.

At GreenWater Laboratories, our mission is simple: provide the high-quality data our clients need to make informed decisions that protect people, animals, and our water resources.

Learn more about what we do at greenwaterlab.com.