Strange orange deposit on beach and waters of Kotzebue Sound

Observation by Seth Kantner with help from Jackie Schaeffer:

A strange sight last week--out commercial fishing on the water in the inter Kotzebue Sound the weather was calm and there were miles and miles of a strange floating orange layer on the surface. Today it had washed ashore in the NE waves. Maybe spruce needle rust? The fungi spores floating down the rivers? I'm not sure, but did collect a sample to send in.

Comment by Derek Sikes:

I've conferred with Matt Bowser with the USFWS who agrees this is likely spruce needle rust fungus spores. A more confident identification would require microscopic examination (photos or specimens) to be sure.

Comment by Dean Stockwell:

The orange material off of Kotzebue was identified as spruce needle rust fungus. Similarly, orange water has been seen off of Utqiagvik.