Sandy Bay Photo

Sandy Bay - Devon

The Beach at Sandy Bay

This photograph was taken in August 2009 when the beach was being affected by a bit of an algal bloom which accounts for the green line around the seashore and the deposits on the beach. It is caused by the pollution of the water with agricultural fertilizers which causes some marine plantlife to undergo excessive growth. There has been a fair amount of rain this summer causing a lot of fertiliser to be washed down off the farmland into the sea. Calm sea conditions have not helped the pollutants to be mixed into deeper seawater.

© Tony Atkin and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Taken at: Sandy Bay, South West England

Date taken / added: 17th Aug 2009

More beach photos from South West England

  • View from Mexico Towans to Gwithian
  • Church Cove
  • Yet another one of Durdle Door
  • Mobile transporter, Paignton Sands