Is it soap suds?

[rgilfert]

We are situated on the west end of Rattlesnake on the Broads side and have noticed that when the foam accumulates off shore it tends to occur in virtually the exact same position every time. In our neck-of-the-woods the foam manifests itself as a long (1/2 Mi +/-), narrow (20' +/-) band that is consistently approx 100' offshore. We had a mooring installed this year and we have noticed the the foam band consistently passes right past the mooring ball (i.e .it forms almost exactly 100' from shore). There must be some reason explaining why it (i.e. the long band of foam) seldom moves closer to shore. Possibly it has something to do with the fact that there is a shelf off shore on our end of the island that extends out perhaps 150' from the shore and then the bottom drops off quickly. Despite the fact that our mooring is about 100' from shore it is only in 7.5' of water...and if you go out perhaps 50' further it becomes deep quickly. We feel that the pattern/location of the foam band must have something to do with this natural shelf/ledge...but can't for a minute hazard a guess as to why. Does anyone know?

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by rgilfert

We are situated on the west end of Rattlesnake on the Broads side and have noticed that when the foam accumulates off shore it tends to occur in virtually the exact same position every time. In our neck-of-the-woods the foam manifests itself as a long (1/2 Mi +/-), narrow (20' +/-) band that is consistently approx 100' offshore. We had a mooring installed this year and we have noticed the the foam band consistently passes right past the mooring ball (i.e .it forms almost exactly 100' from shore). There must be some reason explaining why it (i.e. the long band of foam) seldom moves closer to shore. Possibly it has something to do with the fact that there is a shelf off shore on our end of the island that extends out perhaps 150' from the shore and then the bottom drops off quickly. Despite the fact that our mooring is about 100' from shore it is only in 7.5' of water...and if you go out perhaps 50' further it becomes deep quickly. We feel that the pattern/location of the foam band must have something to do with this natural shelf/ledge...but can't for a minute hazard a guess as to why. Does anyone know?

Just guessing, since the surfactant is produced by decomposition of plant material, could that shelf provide an abundant area of algae and other plant life that causes a large release of the surfactant which would cause the foam?
Just a guess

[garysanfran]

It says although salt water, the salt is NOT the reason for the foam...

http://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/...d/gladfoam.htm

[garysanfran]

http://des.nh.gov/organization/commi...ments/bb-5.pdf