 |
 |
       |
 |
U-M divers retrieve 8,900-year-old piece of wood from Lake Huron
Annarbor.com (12/12)
University of Michigan researchers announced they have found a 5 1/2 foot long, pole-shaped piece of wood that is 8,900 years old in Lake Huron.
Superior researchers studying invasives, ballast water
Ashland Current (2/9)
Determining how clean a ship's ballast water must be to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species is the goal of the latest research partnership between the Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Lake Superior Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
RIVERKEEPERS: Tending the waterways
Niagara Gazette (2/6)
The goal of the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper is two-fold: protecting the water quantity and the quality, as well as connecting people to the waterfront.
Internationally renowned ‘Ocean Doctor’ to speak in Grand Rapids
MLive.com (2/3)
Known as the “Ocean Doctor,” David Guggenheim will speak in Grand Rapids, Mich., about the many similarities between the threats to the oceans and to our Great Lakes.
SUNY Fredonia to lead Great Lakes pollution study
Wall Street Journal (2/3)
Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes will be the focus of a study this summer. Led by the State University of New York at Fredonia, researchers will try to quantify the amount of plastic polluting the fresh water Great Lakes.
SSC students taking part in marine science bowl
Arenac County Independent (1/31)
Teams of Michigan high school students will be heading to Ann Arbor this weekend to take part in the annual Great Lakes Bowl, a quiz event that focuses on questions about marine and freshwater systems and biology.
What's going on in your neighborhood this month? Meet other people and learn together at recreational and educational events! Our new dynamic calendar is updated daily with current educational events.
What is the foam like stuff that washes up on our beach on the Saginaw Bay?
from Shannon of Faith Lutheran School in Bay City, Michigan, Age 9
While the foam that washes up on shore may look like the foam in your kitchen sink, lake foam is usually a naturally occurring phenomenon and not caused by pollution. Foam is created when the surface tension of water (the attraction of water molecules for each other, which gives a drop of water its round shape) is broken down and air is mixed in, causing bubbles. Surface tension can be reduced by natural organic compounds as well as pollutants, such as soaps and detergents.
Natural organic compounds are released into the water by decomposing algae and fish. As wind stirs the water, air is mixed in with the water because of its reduced surface tension, and foam is produced. Foam will often collect in large quantities on windward shores, and that's why you may see foam on the beach. Natural foam may have a dirty brown color, and will smell earthy or fishy.
Foam from detergents and soaps is now uncommon, although this was not always the case. In the 1950's and 60's, most detergent was non-biodegradable (not able to be broken down by bacteria). This type of detergent made great suds, but caused a lot of water pollution. Fortunately, most detergents made today are biodegradable, so they are unable to produce the long-lasting foam found on shorelines. Foam from detergents will have a perfumey smell.
We used the following references, so read on if you want to learn more:
Foam - A Cause for Concern?
Lake Foam - Environmental Fact Sheet
Foaming of Surface Waters - A Natural Phenomenon on Ontario Lakes
Thank you for your question!
Answered on July 17, 2000