Sea foam

Sea foam
Sea foam in San Francisco.

Sea foam, ocean foam, beach foam, or spume is a type of foam created by the agitation of seawater, particularly when it contains higher concentrations of dissolved organic matter (including proteins, lignins, and lipids)[1] derived from sources such as the offshore breakdown of algal blooms. These compounds can act as surfactants or foaming agents. As the seawater is churned by breaking waves in the surf zone adjacent to the shore, the presence of these surfactants under these turbulent conditions traps air, forming persistent bubbles which stick to each other through surface tension. Due to its low density and persistence, foam can be blown by strong on-shore winds from the beachface inland onto sidewalks and streets.

Contents

Hazards

Close-up of sea foam on a tide pool

On rare occasions large amounts of sea foam up to several metres thick can accumulate at the coast and constitute a physical hazard to beach users, through concealing large rocks and voids, storm debris and, in northern New South Wales, even sea snakes.[2]

Where polluted stormwater from rivers or drains discharges to the coast, sea foam formed on adjacent beaches can be polluted with viruses and other contaminants,[2][3] and may have an unpleasant odour.[4]

If crude oil discharged from tankers at sea, or motor oil, sewage and detergents from polluted stormwater are present, the resulting sea foam is even more persistent, and can have a chocolate mousse texture.[3]

If the foam forms from the breakdown of a harmful algal bloom (including those caused by some dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria), direct contact with the foam, or inhalation of aerosols derived the foam as it dries, can cause skin irritations or other respiratory discomfort.[1][2]

Notable occurrences

A large buildup of sea foam occurred on the coast of Yamba, northern New South Wales, 29°26′S 153°21′W / 29.433°S 153.35°W / -29.433; -153.35 on 24 August 2007, and attracted world-wide media attention.[5][6][7][8]

Other sea foam occurrences at Caloundra 26°48′S 153°08′E / 26.8°S 153.133°E / -26.8; 153.133 and Point Cartwright, 26°40′47.8″S 153°08′18.1″E / 26.679944°S 153.138361°E / -26.679944; 153.138361, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in January–February 2008, also attracted world-wide media attention.[3][9][10]

During live coverage of Hurricane Irene in Ocean City, Maryland, Tucker Barnes was covered in sea foam.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b James G. Acker, What is that foam in the surf? CoastalBC.com. Accessed 5 November 2010
  2. ^ a b c Jon Atkins, Warnings on sea foam on beaches, ABC North Coast: Emergency, 24 May 2009. Accessed 5 November 2010
  3. ^ a b c A. Lander, The foam is back!, Sunshine Coast Daily, 20 February 2008. Accessed 5 November 2010
  4. ^ Sam Benger, Murky foam has residents in lather, Sunshine Coast Daily, 17 January 2008.
  5. ^ Samantha Williams, Yamba hit by foam lather, The Daily Telegraph, 27 August 2007. Accessed 5 November 2010
  6. ^ Richard Shears, Cappuccino Coast: The day the Pacific was whipped up into an ocean of froth, Mail Online, 28 August 2007. Accessed 5 November 2010
  7. ^ Eric Shackle, Australia Foams at the Mouth, OhmyNews, 26 January 2008. Accessed 5 November 2010
  8. ^ Brett M.Christensen, Whipped Ocean – Beach Foam at Yamba New South Wales, Hoax-Slayer.com, August 2008. Accessed 5 November 2010
  9. ^ A. Lander, No place like foam Sunshine Coast Daily, 24 January 2008. Accessed 5 November 2010
  10. ^ Mark Furler, Foam a global hit, Sunshine Coast Daily, 26 January 2008. Accessed 5 November 2010
  11. ^ FOX 5's Tucker Barnes Braves the Sea Foam in Ocean City

External links


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  • sea foam — sea foam, adj. 1. the foam of the sea. 2. meerschaum (def. 1). [1250 1300; ME] * * * sea foam noun The froth on the sea formed by the action of the waves • • • Main Entry: ↑sea * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sea foam — 1. Foam of sea water. [1913 Webster] 2. (Min.) Meerschaum; called also {sea froth}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sea foam — sea foam, adj. 1. the foam of the sea. 2. meerschaum (def. 1). [1250 1300; ME] * * * …   Universalium

  • sea-foam — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun Etymology: Middle English seefome, from see sea + fome, fom foam more at sea, foam 1. : froth on the sea 2. [translation of German meerschaum] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sea Foam Villas — (Порт Кэмпбелл,Австралия) Категория отеля …   Каталог отелей

  • sea foam — /ˈsi foʊm/ (say see fohm) noun 1. the foam of the sea. 2. → meerschaum (def. 1) …  

  • sea foam — bubbles formed by the waves in the sea …   English contemporary dictionary

  • sea foam —   Ehu kai …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • USS Sea Foam (1861) — was a brig purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy primarily as a mortar gunboat, but also as a gunboat stationed off Confederate ports to prevent their trading with foreign countries. Towards the …   Wikipedia

  • USS Sea Foam — is a name used more than once by the U.S. Navy:* USS Sea Foam (1861), an American Civil War brig assigned to a mortar flotilla.* USS Sea Foam (IX 210), commissioned at Pearl Harbor on 15 May 1945. References …   Wikipedia

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