Foam in Womens Bay

Observation by Stephanie Mason:

I walk this beach frequently and this is the first time I've noticed foam build up along the whole beach--Byproduct of algal bloom?

Jeanette Gann, Oceanographer with NOAA Fisheries, writes:

I imagine it could be either agitation or a bloom, but without knowing anything more or having seen water samples prior to this it's hard to tell.

Comments from LEO Editors:

According to NOAA, a common cause of sea foam is the agitation of tiny particles, that include dissolved salts, proteins, fats, dead algae and other organics, as well as detergents and other pollutants. These particles are agitated by a combination of wind and wave action. Another cause of sea foam is the decay of algal blooms near the shore. Erica Lujan