The goal of this project is to build capacity for the native village of kotzebue to monitor cyanotoxins resulting from harmful algal blooms (habs) in both water and food (fish/wildlife) in real…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $140,000 Cooperative Agreement (CFDA 66.202 - Congressionally Mandated Projects) to the Native Village of Kotzebue to build capacity for real-time monitoring of cyanotoxins from harmful algal blooms in water and food sources. Key project activities include: 1) obtaining a mobile laboratory to process samples, 2) equipping the lab with necessary equipment like ELISA analyzers, and 3) training tribal staff to operate the lab and conduct analyses. A $19,340 subaward was made to North Carolina State University to provide ELISA training and develop protocols. The expected outcome is that the Native Village of Kotzebue will be properly equipped to conduct future cyanobacteria and harmful algal bloom analyses to benefit the local community, wildlife, and water quality. The award period is from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

The goal of this project is to build capacity for the native village of kotzebue to monitor cyanotoxins resulting from harmful algal blooms (habs) in both water and food (fish/wildlife) in real time.activities:the project will 1) obtain a mobile lab to process water and other media samples, 2) stock lab with the necessary equipment to run enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) and other analyses, and 3) train tribal employees to operate the lab and run analyses, including documentation of protocols and quality assurance plan.subrecipient:subaward to north carolina state university ($19,340) to provide elisa training and develop protocols.outcomes:deliverables include annual and final reports as well as equipped cyanotoxin lab and trained staff. The expected outcome of the project is that the native village of kotzebue will be properly equipped to conduct future analysis of cyanobacteria and habs. Intended beneficiaries of this project are residents of the village, wildlife in the kotzebue sound, and water quality of kotzebue sound.