It turns out those beautiful blue waves on the Southern California coast are a double-edged sword.
Yes, bioluminescence can be pretty to look at, but it’s also the source of the terrible stench on many beaches in the area.
The recent “red tide” that has made the waves glow electric blue at night consists of microscopic algae, and those organisms are nearing the end of their lives.
“The algae is literally rotting. It’s decomposing. Just like our pumpkins at the end of this season are going to start smelling, start rotting and smelling bad on our front porches, the algae is doing that too in our local waters,” said Laura Rink, associate director at Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica.
Large algae bloom spotted off Santa Monica Pier
Rink added that the algae’s decomposition produces hydrogen sulfide, creating a rotten egg smell.
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Bioluminescence at Torrey Pines Beach. (Photo: Mark Girardeau) -
A large algae bloom was spotted around the Santa Monica Pier, extending for miles down the coastline. Oct. 22, 2024. (Sky5) -
A large algae bloom was spotted around the Santa Monica Pier, extending for miles down the coastline. Oct. 22, 2024. (Sky5) -
A large algae bloom was spotted around the Santa Monica Pier, extending for miles down the coastline. Oct. 22, 2024. (Sky5) -
A large algae bloom was spotted around the Santa Monica Pier, extending for miles down the coastline. Oct. 22, 2024. (Sky5)
