Algal blooms are one common source of thick sea foams. When large blooms of algae decay offshore, great amounts of decaying algal matter often wash ashore. Foam forms as this organic matter is churned up by the surf. Is Sea Foam Toxic?
Is Sea Foam Toxic?
- Non-Toxic: Most sea foam is not harmful to humans
- Indicator: Signals a productive ocean ecosystem
- Cause: Formed by decaying organic matter and ocean agitation
- Algal Blooms: Harmful algal blooms can decay and create toxic foam
- Health Risks: Can irritate eyes and respiratory conditions
- Aerosols: Toxic foam can release harmful aerosols
- Asthma: Poses risks for individuals with asthma
- Environmental Impact: Can affect both human health and marine life
Sea Foam or what some call Ocean Foam may not be toxic, but when the weather gets completely out of control, the churning of the water creates a dangerous situation. In the winter of 2020, a King Tide in Washington State with 25-foot waves created a “blender effect” that churned up Sea Foam as high as a man’s chest. Later that spring and halfway around the world, so much Sea Foam appeared in the Netherlands that killed five very experienced surfers. Emergency personnel look for survivors in the feature picture for this article.
Is Sea Foam Toxic
Most sea foam is not toxic and generally indicates a productive ocean ecosystem. It is primarily formed when organic matter, such as decaying algae and plant material, interacts with the agitation of ocean waves, creating bubbles. However, sea foam can become toxic if it originates from harmful algal blooms (HABs). When these blooms decay near the shore, they can produce toxins that become concentrated in the foam.
This toxic sea foam can pose health risks to humans, causing respiratory irritation and eye discomfort, especially for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. It can also have detrimental effects on marine life, disrupting ecosystems and causing die-offs of fish and other marine organisms. Therefore, while most sea foam is harmless, it is essential to be cautious, particularly in areas prone to HABs.
What Is Sea Foam Made From
The water in the ocean is made up of 2.5 % salt and 96.5 % water which leaves 1% of the mysterious ingredients that are involved with the phenomenon. that’s known as Sea Foam.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Sea Foam is a mixturte of “proteins, fats, dead algae, detergents and other pollutants,” plus other bits of organic and inorganic matter. When these particles get agitated by wind and waves, they froth. You can create the same effect by putting some sea water in a bottle and shaking it.
The bubbles happen because of molecules called Surfactants (Surfactants are molecules that spontaneously bond with each other to form sealed bubbles). which they explains are “sticky molecules that cling to the surface between water and air.” These surfactants can come from natural sources, like algae and seaweed, or from human pollution, like fertilizers, detergents and sewage. If you shake this glass of ocean water vigorously, small bubbles will form on the surface of the liquid. Foam forms as this organic matter is churned up by the surf.
In the world of science, The attraction between the foam and the water molecule decreases the surface tension. When the surface tension is decreased, air more easily mixes with the water. Bubbles form when air mixes with the interacting water and foaming agent. These lightweight bubbles can congregate as foam.
it’s called a surface-acting agent that is capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid that is typically an Organic compound having a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. One end of the molecule is hydrophobic – it repels water. The other end is hydrophilic – it attracts water. These molecules make a shape formed like a sphere, with the hydrophobic ends on the inside and the hydrophilic ends pointing outward. These Spheres even if they aren’t perfect make bubbles. And a lot of bubbles make Sea Foam!
Examples of Surfactants when you wash your hands with soap the soap molecules act like mediators between the water and the oil on your skin. It bonds with both of them at the same time. When you rinse off the soap carries off the dirt and germs with the water. So any kind of soap that you use to clean any household items is considered Surfactants.
In nature, these Surfactants can come from natural sources that end up in a mixture of seawater, like algae and seaweed, or from human pollution, like fertilizers, detergents, and sewage. Algal blooms that are very common in lakes streams and rivers are thick sea foams.
The mystery is solved about what causes Sea Foam. When large blooms of algae decay offshore, great amounts of decaying algal matter often wash ashore from tidal and wave action caused by winds. They are various colors like red-brown or white depending on decaying organic materials in the mixture.
Can Sea Foam Affect Marine Life
The question Is Sea Foam Toxic can be answered by how it affects marine life, especially when it is formed from harmful algal blooms (HABs). When these algal blooms decay, they can produce toxins that become concentrated in the foam.
This toxic sea foam can harm various marine organisms, including fish, shellfish, and even marine mammals. The toxins can cause respiratory and skin irritation in these animals, disrupt their reproductive systems, and lead to massive die-offs. Furthermore, toxic sea foam can alter the natural balance of marine ecosystems by reducing the availability of oxygen in the water, which can further stress marine life.
The impact extends up the food chain, affecting not only the immediate marine organisms but also the predators that rely on them, including birds and humans who consume seafood. Thus, toxic sea foam represents a significant environmental concern with far-reaching consequences for marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Seafoam or Ocean foam is a global phenomenon containing dissolved organic & inorganic proteins, fats, dead algae, detergents, & other pollutants, that act as a surfactant, or foaming agent, which, combined with the pounding of ocean waves, results in large buildups of foam ..…………………………………………………… Read more
River Foam
River Foam can appear on rivers’ shallows and banks on a smaller scale than Sea Foam which accumulates on Ocean beaches and surf. The presence of River Foam is not necessarily an indication of water pollution.
Most residents want to know if the foam in the water is often associated with the natural systems happening in the environment Foam can occur naturally when the physical characteristics of water are altered by the presence of organic material in the water. Foam can be white but generally turns brown over time.
The green, red, brown, or reddish colors that form in River Foam just as in Sea Foam or Ocean Foam are often due to phytoplankton, also known as algae blooms, which is a natural phenomenon. These tiny organisms release toxins that aren’t good for you, your dog, the birds, or anything.
The toxins can irritate the eyes and ears, and even the respiratory system. How bad the River Foam gets is based on how turbulent the water on the River can get. Generally, It’s not as bad as Sea Foam can get.
If you spend enough time outdoors you may see foaming that happens on a windswept lake or a fast-flowing stream and more at different times of the year.
During Autumn when leaves and weeds fall from the trees around a stream and the temperature gets warmer decaying whatever is in the water. Or in the spring when organic material is releasing nutrients from decaying old material. On the flip side, Foam can also be a sign of nutrient loading robbing the water of oxygen or industrial pollutants that have contaminated the water.
Nutrients that are found as a result of wastewater plants can be added too fast to a stream and the result would be an Algae bloom that would use up then deplete the oxygen in the receiving stream killing aquatic organisms and fish who all share the same ecosystem.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while sea foam is generally not harmful and often signals a thriving ocean ecosystem, it can become toxic under certain conditions, particularly when associated with harmful algal blooms. These blooms can produce toxins that pose health risks to humans and marine life, leading to respiratory issues and ecosystem disruptions. It is crucial to remain informed and cautious, especially in areas where harmful algal blooms are common, to mitigate potential health and environmental impacts. By understanding the conditions that lead to toxic sea foam, we can better protect ourselves and the marine environments we cherish.
Sea Foam, called ocean & beach foam, is caused by high concentrations of dissolved organic matter from algae blooms, detergents & ocean pollutants derived from sources offshore churned up by wind & waves creating agitation of the air, ………………………………………………….Read more
Reference:
Fondriest- Algae, Phytoplankton, and Chlorophyll
Washington Post–Five experienced surfers die as ‘avalanche’ of Sea Foam strikes Dutch coast –May 2020
FAQ’s
- Is sea foam harmful to humans?
- Most sea foam is not harmful and indicates a productive ocean ecosystem.
- What causes sea foam to form?
- Sea foam forms when organic matter decays and ocean agitation creates bubbles.
- Can sea foam be toxic?
- Yes, sea foam can be toxic if it is formed from decaying harmful algal blooms.
- What are harmful algal blooms?
- Harmful algal blooms are overgrowths of algae that can produce toxins affecting marine and human health.
- How can toxic sea foam affect humans?
- Toxic sea foam can release aerosols that irritate eyes and respiratory conditions, such as asthma.
- What should I do if I encounter sea foam on the beach?
- Avoid contact with large amounts of sea foam, especially if it has a strong odor or is near a known algal bloom area.
- How can I identify toxic sea foam?
- Toxic sea foam may appear during or after algal blooms and can have an unusual color or strong odor.
