Sea foam , sea foam , beach foam , or spume is a type of foam made by sea water agitation, especially when it contains higher concentrations of dissolved organic matter (including proteins, lignins, and lipids) originating from sources such as offshore damage from algal blooms. This compound may act as a surfactant or foaming agent. As the seawater churns by splitting the waves in a surf zone adjacent to the shore, the presence of these surfactants under these turbulent conditions traps air, forming persistent bubbles that stick together through surface tension. Due to its low density and persistence, the foam can be blown by strong coastal winds from the coast on land.
Video Sea foam
Hazard
Where polluted rainwater from rivers or waterways flows to shore, sea foams that form on adjacent beaches can be contaminated with viruses and other contaminants, and may have unpleasant odors.
If crude oil is 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 the texture of chocolate mousse.
If the foam is formed from harmful algal blooms (including those caused by some dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria), direct contact with foam, or inhalation of aerosols from foam when it dries, may cause skin irritation or respiratory discomfort.
On rare occasions, large numbers of sea foams up to several meters can accumulate on shore and are a physical hazard to coastal users, hiding large rocks and cavities, storm debris and, in northern New South Wales, even snake sea anecdotes.
Maps Sea foam
Important Events
- Large foam buildup takes place on the coast of Yamba, northern New South Wales, 29Ã, Â ° 26? S 153Ã, Â ° 21? E on August 24, 2007, and attracted media attention worldwide.
- There was another sea foam in Caloundra 26Ã, Â ° 48? S 153Ã, Â ° 08? E and Point Cartwright, 26 Â ° 40? 47.8? S 153Ã, Â ° 08? 18.1? E , on Sunshine Coast Queensland in January-February 2008, also attracted media attention worldwide.
- During the live coverage of Hurricane Irene in Ocean City, Maryland, Tucker Barnes was covered in sea foam.
- In December 2011, the coastal road at Cleveleys, Lancashire was flooded by high sea foam drift.
- Following the storm and strong winds on 24/25 September 2012, the beach front of the Footdee area in Aberdeen is covered by sea foam.
- Between 27 and 28 January 2013, the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, has a mass of foam clearing the soil from the Oswald tropical cyclone.
- June 2016: sea foam on the East coast of Australia, whipped up by storm.
- March 28, 2017: sea foam brought by Cyclone Debbie at Sarina Beach in Queensland, Australia.
- October 16, 2017: Hurricane Ophelia covers Cleveleys, Lancashire with spume.
- December 12, 2017 large amounts of sea foam brought by thunderstorms and strong winds to the coast of Ostia, in Rome. A rare occurrence for the Mediterranean Sea.
- January 2018: Eleanor's storm caused foam to spread throughout Europe.
See also
- Foam line
- Spume Island
References
External links
- April 2007 Photo Gallery Lane Memorial Library, Hampton, New Hampshire. Retrieved 5 November 2010
- What is the shape of foam on ocean waves Newscientist.com , 1837, 5 September 1992. Preview of the article. Retrieved 5 November 2010
- A white foam blanket covers Aberdeen beach - Guardian video. Retrieved 25 September 2012
- Sea Foam Video on YouTube
- Sea foam covering swimmers, Australian Gold Coast
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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