I actually didn’t know the answer to this question and once I looked it up I realised how interesting it was! I got the following information from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seafoam.html
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, and a bunch of other bits and pieces of organic 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.
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. But when large harmful algal blooms decay near shore, there are potential for impacts to human health and the environment, so watch out!!
I actually didn’t know the answer to this question and once I looked it up I realised how interesting it was! I got the following information from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seafoam.html
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, and a bunch of other bits and pieces of organic 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.
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. But when large harmful algal blooms decay near shore, there are potential for impacts to human health and the environment, so watch out!!
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Blaire is right… when algae bloom decay near shore the are really stinky too!!!
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Good answer, no more to add.
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Yeah, great answer Blaire. And thanks for the link.
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