Скачать или смотреть 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦: Researchers Dye Santa Monica Bay to Track Ocean Currents

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Monday, September 15, 2025 — Visitors to the Santa Monica Pier were greeted by an unexpected sight this morning as ocean waves near the breakwater glowed bright pink. The striking color is part of a scientific experiment led by researchers from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering in partnership with The Bay Foundation.

The team released a temporary, non-toxic fluorescent dye known as Rhodamine Water Tracer into the water to study how currents circulate around the Santa Monica Pier and its historic breakwater. The dye, long used in oceanographic research, disperses naturally and poses no risk to people, marine life, or the environment. Additional releases are scheduled for September 22–24 and September 30.

The project builds on a 2024 study by the UCLA Coastal Flood Lab and The Bay Foundation that examined how the breakwater affects water quality. Although storms in the 1980s reduced the 1934 structure to its current height, scientists say the remnants still influence coastal circulation, contributing to persistent water-quality concerns near the pier.

By tracking the dye’s movement with drones and monitoring equipment, researchers hope to better understand how pollutants, nutrients, and sediments travel through the bay. “Even though the breakwater no longer functions as a marina, it continues to shape water flow and the health of the surrounding ecosystem,” said Professor Timu Gallien, the study’s lead investigator.

Funded by The Bay Foundation and supported by the City of Santa Monica, the California Coastal Commission, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the experiment aims to inform future strategies for protecting Santa Monica Bay. Visitors can expect to see the pink plumes on upcoming release days, a vivid reminder of science at work in one of Southern California’s most iconic coastal settings.

Santa Monica Closeup will continue to monitor the experiment and provide updates as researchers track the dye’s journey and its impact on understanding ocean circulation.

#SantaMonica #PinkWaves #UCLAResearch #OceanScience #WaterQuality #santamonicapier
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Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica and the creator of 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. Known for his compelling imagery and neutral reporting, his work captures the pulse of the city—from civic affairs and emergency response to cultural moments and beach life. His photography has been showcased in galleries, museums, and public installations.
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𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲.