“According to Dr Ipek Kurtboke BSc., Ph.D, Senior Lecturer in Environmental
Microbiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, this froth in the surf, which has been
widespread over the Sunshine Coast in recent months, is caused by microbial activity which
occur naturally in the sand in harmless numbers but when conditions are right i.e
temperature, currents, pollution in the water such as run off after heavy rain including oil
deposits from the roads, these microbes will multiply greatly feeding off the pollution.
This froth might be pathogenic to humans such as causing pulmonary infections or abcessess
in immunocompromised patients. Dr Kurtboke is carrying out further research in this area
with her students at the University of the Sunshine Coast and asking local Councils and
Health Authorities for cooperation and funding”.