How Does Pollution Affect Foam in the Sea?

Sea foam is formed after seafloor particulate matter is agitated by waves, and then deposited in the shore. When waves break, they forms bubbles, and there is friction between the organic matters and bubbles resulting in the white foam found along most beaches. The organic matter and other substances carried by the waves from the seafloor are normally deposited on the shores. Pollutants can be carried from the seafloor by waves, and deposited by sea foam ashore, causing adverse effects to marine animals and people.

Radioactive Waste

• Radioactive wastes disposed into the ocean might be stored by seaweeds found on the seafloor. When the seaweed beaks down, it produces organic matter contaminated with plutonium from the radioactive materials. This plutonium-laden organic matter is swept to the shores by waves and deposited as sea foam. According to Science Direct, the amount of plutonium and other radioactive pollutants in the sea foam is little, but it still exposes the people and animals living around the sea to some radiation. The wind can also blow this polluted sea foam inland, depositing radioactive waste, albeit in small quantities.

Unpleasant Smell

• When contaminated storm water is discharged into the oceans, the resulting sea foam deposited in the shore might have a foul smell. This bad odor is from the chemical pollutants discharged into the sea. The sea foam can also contain some harmful bacteria and viruses, which can cause skin irritation to people who come into contact with it.

Amount of Foam

• Pollution in the ocean, caused by chemicals originating from industries, farms and residences, leads to a rise in water pH, thus increasing algae growth. The bloom of algae increases the amount of organic matter to be swept ashore by waves, thus large amounts of sea foam is observed. Storms results in a lot of wave activity, leading to accumulation of massive sea foam as was evidenced in California beaches in March 2010, after the devastating Chile tsunami on Feb. 27, 2010.

Color of Sea Foam

• Sea foam resulting from sea organic micro-organisms is white in color, although phytoplankton algae bloom produces red foam as stated by Innovate Us. However, foam produced from pollution including sewerage, industrial waste and farms is normally brown in color.

Texture of Sea Foam

• Unpolluted sea foam is light and easily blown away by the wind. Oil pollution in the sea, resulting from oil spills or from contaminated storm water, leads to the formation of unrelenting, thick and brown sea foam.