Don’t Panic! That Scummy Stuff on Brighton Beach Isn’t Sewage
Brighton Seafront Team Clears the Air
The Brighton & Hove Seafront Team is bombarded every year with worried questions about algae and sewage washing up on shore. But here’s the truth: the brown, frothy scum many spot is actually harmless marine algae, not dirty sewage.
What’s That Brown Slime Then?
Marine algae, including seaweeds and tiny phytoplankton, thrive after March 20th—around the time of the vernal equinox. As days get longer, they multiply and photosynthesise, producing oxygen and forming blooms. The most common bloom in English waters creates a brown, frothy layer that the southerly winds blow onto the beach.
This scum eventually breaks down into a smelly brown slime resembling compost. It looks grim and smells odd, but rest assured, it’s natural and non-toxic.
Algae Blooms: Harmless, Natural, and Temporary
Toxic algae blooms are rare in English coastal waters. What you’re likely seeing is a normal algae bloom that’s part of the marine ecosystem. They might look unpleasant, but these algae play a vital role in ocean health.
As the seasons shift and conditions change, these unsightly blooms fade away—so no need to call in the sewage squad just yet!
