‘Brown foam’ appears across beaches in south-east France amid record May heat
People reported unusual yellow-brown patches in the water during the Pentecost weekend heatwave
No pollution alert has been issued after the appearance of the brown foam
Still.Dope/Shutterstock and A_Lesik/Shutterstock
Swimmers along parts of the French Riviera came across an unusual foam and floating debris over the Pentecost weekend as exceptionally high May temperatures continued across France.
They reported patches of yellow-brown foam and organic matter floating near the shoreline between Nice and Antibes, with some describing the sea as appearing “dirty” unusually early in the season.
It appeared as France experienced a record breaking heat for May, with temperatures soaring above 30C across much of the country and unusually warm conditions affecting the Mediterranean coast.
Météo-France placed eight departments under orange alert and more than 20 under yellow alert as the heatwave intensified.
According to the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, no health alert has been issued regarding the foam.
Officials told The Connexion that the phenomenon could be linked to pollen, plant debris and organic matter accumulating at the sea surface due to the exceptionally high temperatures and seasonal conditions.
ARS said there is currently no indication of chemical pollution or wastewater discharge linked to the appearance of the foam.
However, it added that regular seasonal water sampling officially begins in June, meaning authorities cannot yet confirm the precise local cause through routine monitoring.
Warm weather, calm seas and spring pollen are known to occasionally create surface accumulations and foam-like formations along Mediterranean coastlines, particularly during periods of sudden early heat.
No beach closures or bathing bans have been announced as of Tuesday afternoon.
