The formation of Sea Foam is found in different coastal regions around the world, some places worse than others, intriguing many people who witness it. Sea Foam is considered a natural phenomenon but its occurrence can be due to human activities in certain parts of the world making it a toxic problem for residents living along the coast. How it’s developed is a bit of a mystery. What causes Sea Foam?
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, H2O, & a compound called surfactant that acts as a foaming agent.
Seafoam is a global phenomenon and it varies depending on location and the potential influence of the surrounding marine, freshwater, and/or terrestrial environments. Due to its low density and persistence, foam can be blown by strong on-shore winds from the beach face inland and can cause some trouble to coastal dwellers filling city streets with blankets of foam.
What Causes Sea Foam
Sea foam, often seen along coastlines, is created by the agitation of seawater, which contains dissolved organic matter, including proteins, lipids, and other organic molecules. When the ocean is disturbed by wind and waves, these organic compounds act as surfactants, reducing the surface tension of water and causing bubbles to form. As waves crash and the water is churned, these bubbles accumulate, creating foam.
The presence and amount of foam can be influenced by various factors such as the abundance of organic material, water temperature, and the degree of wave action. Additionally, algal blooms, which release large amounts of organic matter, can significantly increase foam formation. While sea foam is generally harmless, it can sometimes indicate environmental issues such as pollution or harmful algal blooms.
How Does Thick Sea Foam Form
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. Most sea foam is not harmful to humans and is often an indication of a productive ocean ecosystem.
Sometimes referred to as the ‘Red Tide’ it can be caused by the presence of waste products created by human activities. For foam to form, you need air, water, and a key third ingredient called a surfactant.
A Surfactant is a kind of sticky molecule that clings to the surface between water and air. This molecule is man-made and comes from fertilizers, industrial waste, and even sewage in the ocean. All Surfactants have one thing in common. It’s that
- One end of the molecule is hydrophilic which means it’s attracted to water
- The other end of the molecule is hydrophobic which means it’s repelled by water.
Thick sea foam forms under specific conditions where the concentration of organic matter and the agitation of seawater are both high. These conditions enhance the stability and persistence of the foam. Here is a table outlining the key factors that contribute to the formation of thick sea foam:
Air can be trapped inside these waste products proteins, fats, and dead algae, and form bubbles close to the shore brought in by tides, currents, or wind, which stick to each other through surface tension.
Red tide is a phenomenon when a large population of phytoplankton, a single-celled plant, grows very fast or “blooms” and accumulates into dense, visible patches near the water’s surface.
Nutrient pollution along with higher water temperature can fuel this colored foaming. Red color happens more in marine or seawater. Researchers say that the presence of the single-celled alga – phytoplankton – can cause the foam to take the reddish or brownish hue of blue-green algae.
Cyanobacteria mainly occur in freshwater bodies and are a type of photosynthetic bacteria also known as blue-green algae, which are often the cause of algal blooms in freshwater and occasionally in marine water.
Two kinds of Ocean Foam can be formed – White Seafoam and the Reddish-Brown colored foam in sea maritime that is mixed in Is the surf zone and eventually blown inland where the waves are at their strongest.
Essentially Sea Foam is natural and is not a big event compared to other natural occurrences. Sea Foam can contain pollution or contaminants from Sewer or Stormwater drains that are in the vicinity of the blankets of Seafoam that accumulate and end up on the beach.
Formation of Thick Sea Foam
Sea Foam 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
What Color is Sea Foam
Foam on seawater is usually white in tinge. Single-celled alga which is powdered finely is regarded to be the cause of the white sea foam-forming as their powdery substance emanates sea foam-forming protein which in turn results in the formation of foam. The disruption of the surface tension allows for air to mix with the water and form bubbles. The foam can be different colors depending on the surfactant, which can contain detergents and soap.
- Decomposing or decomposed materials from the seas like plants, animals, and excreta are churned by the continuous movement of the tides and form cloistered bubbles of air, are retained beneath the sea waves, and are whipped towards the shore and pulled by currents.
- These waves are frothy and when they crash against the shore, the froth at the top is left behind which causes the foamy effect
- Alternatively, *single-celled alga(Diatoms) which is powdered finely is regarded to be the cause of the white sea foam-forming as their powdery substance emanates sea foam-forming protein which in turn results in the formation of foam
- Chemical waste discharges by industries and sewerage into the oceans and seas also cause such foam to form in the sea
Colors of Sea Foam
Sea foam can appear in various colors depending on the composition and conditions of the water. Here are the common colors of sea foam:
- White: The most typical color, resulting from the reflection of light off the tiny bubbles in the foam.
- Brown: Often caused by organic matter such as decaying plant material or soil.
- Green: Can result from the presence of certain types of algae or phytoplankton.
- Yellow: This may be due to high concentrations of organic compounds or pollutants.
- Red or Pink: Typically associated with red tide events, which are caused by specific types of harmful algal blooms.
- Gray: This can occur in areas with significant pollution or where there is a mix of organic and inorganic materials.
No, Sea Foam is not whale sperm. Sea Foam created by the agitation of sea H2O contains high concentrations of dissolved organic matter, including proteins, lignins & lipids derived from sources such as the offshore breakdown of algal blooms. These compounds can act as surfactants or foaming agents .…………………………………… Read more
Is Thick Sea Foam Formed Toxic
In Southeast Queen’s land, Australia Seafoam has become more than a natural occurrence at certain times of the year. This has led to maritime careers researching ways to combat the environmental phenomenon.
The foaming from their coastal towns has made its way from the surf to the beach to inside city streets where this phenomenon has become a danger to its residents and wildlife. Most Sea Foam is not harmful and is often a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Still, when large healthy alga blooms decay too close to shore they have the potential for a negative impact on human health and the environment.
During these events, the Sea Foam creates bubbles that become airborne. Toxins from alga blooms involved with Sea Foam bubbles can be released in an aerosol form. This form can have effects on people with chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma or can irritate the eyes of beachgoers and pose a health risk for children and pets.
Along Gulf coast beaches during blooms of Karenia brevis, for example, popping sea foam bubbles are one way that algal toxins become airborne. The resulting aerosol can irritate the eyes of beach goers and poses a health risk for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Scientists studying the cause of a seabird die-offs off California in 2007 and in the Pacific Northwest in 2009 also found a soap-like foam from a decaying Akashiwo sanguinea algae bloom had removed the waterproofing on feathers, making it harder for birds to fly. This led to the onset of fatal hypothermia in many birds. From the article –Attack of the Sea Foam, It’s Not Whale Sperm-2019 -Craig McClain is the Executive Director of the Lousiana University Marine Consortium.
The question that residents have is-What is Ocean foam-Read about it here as it contains noxious substances that could harm not only the local population but also the birds and other creatures. This could result in health problems and also problems pertaining to the presence of other harmful creatures that could hide in this froth and cause irreparable damage to the natives. I had no idea how serious this Sea foaming is too populated coastline communities until the video shows just how bad the problem is.
Most sea foam is not harmful to humans and is just an indicator of an over-productive ocean ecosystem. But when large harmful algal blooms decay near shore, they can create an aerosol that can irritate the eyes of beachgoers & pose a health risk ….………………………………………………………………………….. Read more
Is Sea Foam Formed from Organic Matter
Before you start playing in the Ocean Foam which is kinda tempting when you see it, understand that it could be dangerous. This mixing of impurities in the ocean like salts, chemicals, pollution, dead plants, decomposed fish, normal seaweed excretions, copepod poo, and just about everything fantastic organic and inorganic matter in the ocean creates bubbles that stick together and form the foam.
The layers of foam don’t contain the wale sperm that is mentioned in the article. Still, Researchers say that the foam contains ingredients of decaying algal blooms that concentrate and become aerosol in sea spray that is not very healthy to breathe or have long contact with skin and recommend that as fun as it might be for you or your pet dog to run around in for a while that it might be safer to keep the playtime at a minimum.
Sea foam forms when dissolved organic matter in the ocean is churned up. Sea Foam at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. If you scoop up some water from the ocean in a clear glass and look at it closely, you’ll see that it’s chock full of tiny particles.
Seawater contains dissolved salts, proteins, fats, dead algae, detergents, and other pollutants, and a bunch of other bits and pieces of organic and artificial matter. If you shake this glass of ocean water vigorously, small bubbles will form on the surface of the liquid.
Sea foam forms in this way – but on a much grander scale – when the ocean is agitated by wind and waves. Each coastal region has differing conditions governing the formation of sea foams.
*Harmful 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.
Conclusion
Sea foam is a fascinating natural phenomenon resulting from the interaction of seawater with organic matter and environmental conditions. While typically harmless and indicative of a healthy marine ecosystem, sea foam can occasionally signal underlying issues such as pollution or harmful algal blooms.
Understanding the factors that contribute to its formation and the variations in its appearance can provide valuable insights into the health of marine environments. Whether encountering the common white foam or the rarer colored varieties, it’s essential to recognize that sea foam is a dynamic component of our oceans, reflecting both natural processes and human influences.
* Single-Celled Alga(Diatoms)– are unicellular algae that have siliceous cell walls. They are the most abundant form of algae in the ocean, although they can be found in freshwater as well. They account for about 40% of the world’s primary marine production and produce about 25% of the world’s oxygen.
*Harmful Algal blooms(HAB) occur when toxin-producing algae grow excessively in a body of water. The excessive algal growth, or algal bloom, becomes visible to the naked eye and can be green, blue-green, red, or brown, depending on the type of algae.
References:
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Chemistry World–Frothed at Sea
FAQ’s
Can sea foam be a sign of pollution?
- Yes, sea foam can sometimes indicate pollution, especially if it is discolored or has an unusual odor. Pollutants such as detergents, oils, and industrial runoff can contribute to foam formation.
Why is sea foam different colors?
- The color of sea foam depends on the organic and inorganic materials in the water. For example, brown foam can result from decaying plant matter, while green foam can indicate the presence of algae.
Is it safe to swim in sea foam?
- Swimming in sea foam is usually safe, but caution should be exercised, especially if the foam is discolored or has a strong odor, as it may indicate pollution or harmful algal blooms.
What causes thick sea foam?
- Thick sea foam is caused by high concentrations of organic matter, strong wave action, algal blooms, pollutants, and other factors that increase the stability and persistence of foam.
Does sea foam affect marine life?
- Sea foam can impact marine life, especially if it contains harmful substances from algal blooms or pollution. It can also affect oxygen levels in the water, which can be detrimental to aquatic organisms.
Can sea foam travel far distances?
- Yes, sea foam can be carried by wind and currents over long distances, sometimes accumulating on shorelines far from its original formation site