The foam that swathed the Marina Beach last month was caused by frothing of phosphate from detergents, agitation by high winds and wave action, the result of tests conducted by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) has shown.
The team from the NCCR lifted samples for tests and found that the water at that time had a high content of phosphate, ammonia and nitrates.
“Since it was raining during November 21-23, the quantum was quite high as the flood waters had washed out the slush and sewage fromthe Cooum. Since the current was moving southward, the Marina witnessed foam,” said Pravakar Mishra, Scientist, NCCR.
The foam had occurred on consecutive days and it had peaked on November 22. The sea had turned black just beyond the foam due to the sewage.
The bacterial content was also high during this time and this could cause digestive problems if ingested, Dr. Mishra added.
