Jersey Shore Ocean Water Is So Clear, Here’s Why
Jersey Shore ocean water hasn’t always been as clear as you may have noticed it has been so far this season. The reason why may surprise you. According to Josh…
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO – JUNE 04: Charlotte McKinney is seen during the ME Cabo resort grand re-opening party with Blue Marlin Ibiza on June 4, 2016 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Victor Chavez/Getty ImagesJersey Shore ocean water hasn't always been as clear as you may have noticed it has been so far this season. The reason why may surprise you.
(Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)According to Josh Kohut, Professor of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University, it's simple science. In an article originally published in NJ.com, Kohut says less particles like sediment or small plankton, called phytoplankton are the reason. Phytoplankton are single-celled plants that float in the ocean and provide about 40-50% of the atmospheric oxygen we breathe.
The article goes on to say that the arrival of spring begins to provide the needed sunlight, and the nutrients come from a couple of different sources — from the deeper water further offshore and humans. According to Professor Kohut, "as that warm water moves offshore it’s replaced by the cold water down deep,” describing a process known as upwelling.
Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesBecause that deeper water has a lot of nutrients, phytoplankton start to grow. Kohut says “It’s essentially like spreading Miracle-Gro on your garden.” Whenever there is a plankton bloom, that tends to give it kind of a greenish, yellowish, so somewhere in the blue to green to yellow band of colors. Different species give off different colors. The color comes from pigments they have in their cells. This is why we can see intense greenish-blue colors, that may remind you of the water in the Florida Keys if you have ever been down there.
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesOther Factors
The other source of murky water along the Jersey coast comes from sediment, which includes sand, silt, mud, and clay.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesSome sediment comes from the rivers — finer-grained silts and clays will stay suspended in the water longer and gives the water more of a brown and opaque look. So the further you get from inlets, the clearer the water will get or the less suspended sediment material will be in the water.
Another factor is that there is less stirring of the water, which means the deeper water does not restore the nutrients. The Sunshine State also has less river runoff compared to the Garden State where we have several big rivers.
Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY - : Dolphins swim in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Atlantic City.
However, Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert, assistant professor of Marine Science at Stockton University gives us a reminder: “Just because the water’s clear doesn’t mean that it’s free of other types of pollutants, or just because it looks dirty, conversely, it doesn’t mean that it’s polluted in the sense of being harmful at all.”
So, in other words, enjoy it while it lasts, and you never know what Mother Nature has up her sleeve!
Speaking of the Jersey Shore and the ocean, check out my story on the Barnegat Bay Boat Festival.
The Hot, Sexy Beach Volleyball Athletes of the Tokyo Games
If you're like me, you watch the Olympics not only because of the unbelievable performance level of the world's greatest athletes but also because they're all so dang hot!
This year's volleyball competitors bring the heat on and off the sand court, so of course we had to include our favorite hotties competing in the Tokyo Games this year.
Since beach volleyball made its Olympic debut in 1996, the United States has established itself as a dominant force in the sport. Per The Washington Post, the U.S. women and men have each claimed three gold medals, more than any other country.
The preliminary rounds will be held from this Friday (July 23) to July 30, with elimination matches running from July 31 to August 6. The women’s medal matches are on August 5, followed by the men’s medal matches on August 6. The entire tournament will be held at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo.
April Ross of Team USA Women's Beach Volleyball
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesApril Ross of Team USA Women's Beach Volleyball plays a shot during practice ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 21, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Russian Federation Men's Beach Volleyball
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesOleg Stoyanovskiy of Team Russian Federation Men's Beach Volleyball sets a ball during practice ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team USA Women's Beach Volleyball
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesSarah Sponcil of Team USA Women's Beach Volleyball plays a shot during practice ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 21, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Spain
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesLiliana Fernandez Steiner #1 and Elsa Baquerizo McMillan #2 of Team Spain react against Team Netherlands during the Women's Preliminary - Pool B on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team United States
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesJacob Gibb #1 of Team United States competes against Adrian Ignacio Carambula Raurich #2 of Team Italy during the Men's Preliminary - Pool C on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Switzerland
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesAnouk Verge-Depre #1 and Joana Heidrich #2 of Team Switzerland react as they compete against Team Netherlands during the Women's Preliminary - Pool A beach volleyball on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Germany
Matthias Hangst/Getty ImagesJulia Sude #1 of Team Germany celebrates against Team Canada during the Women's Preliminary - Pool A beach volleyball on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team China Women's Beach Volleyball
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesFan Wang of Team China Women's Beach Volleyball looks on during practice ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Germany
Maja Hitij/Getty ImagesLaura Ludwig of Team Germany during Beach Volleyball training at Shiokaze Park ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Switzerland Women's Beach Volleyball
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesTanja Huberli of Team Switzerland Women's Beach Volleyball serves during practice ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Heather Bansley of Team Canada
Maja Hitij/Getty ImagesHeather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson of Team Canada during Beach Volleyball training at Shiokaze Park ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Canada
Matthias Hangst/Getty ImagesSarah Pavan #1 of Team Canada returns the ball against Team Germany during the Women's Preliminary - Pool A beach volleyball on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Netherlands
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesKatja Stam #1 and Raisa Schoon #2 of Team Netherlands react as they compete against Team Switzerland during the Women's Preliminary - Pool A beach volleyball on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Switzerland
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesTanja Huberli #1 of Team Switzerland and Nina Betschart #2 celebrate after defeating Team Japan during the Women's Preliminary Round - Pool F beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Viacheslav Krasilnikov of Team Russian Federation Men's Beach Volleyball
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesViacheslav Krasilnikov of Team Russian Federation Men's Beach Volleyball practices ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Germany
Maja Hitij/Getty ImagesMargareta Kozuch and Laura Ludwig (not seen) of Team Germany train with Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson of Team Canada during Beach Volleyball training at Shiokaze Park ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Canada
Matthias Hangst/Getty ImagesMelissa Humana-Paredes #2 of Team Canada reacts against Team Germany during the Women's Preliminary - Pool A beach volleyball on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Australia Women's Beach Volleyball
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesTaliqua Clancy of Team Australia Women's Beach Volleyball spikes past the defense of Margareta Kozuch of Team Germany during practice ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 21, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Ilya Leshukov of Team ROC
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesIlya Leshukov #1 of Team ROC competes against Team Norway during the Men's Preliminary Round - Pool A beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Megumi Murakami of Team Japan
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesMegumi Murakami #2 of Team Japan warms up prior to the match against Team Switzerland during the Women's Preliminary Round - Pool F beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Tina Graudina of Team Latvia
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesTina Graudina #1 of Team Latvia returns the ball against Team Brazil during the Women's Preliminary Round - Pool D beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Beach Volleyball - Olympics: Day 13
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesMariafe Artacho del Solar #1 of Team Australia celebrates after defeating Team Latvia during the Women's Semifinal beach volleyball on day thirteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 05, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Kenya
Matthias Hangst/Getty ImagesBrackcides Khadambi #2 of Team Kenya returns the ball against Team Brazil during the Women's Preliminary - Pool D beach volleyball on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Jacob Gibb of Team United States
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesJacob Gibb #1 of Team United States celebrates against Team Switzerland during the Men's Preliminary Round - Pool C beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team ROC and Team Cuba
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesSvetlana Kholomina #2 of Team ROC competes against Team Cuba during the Women's Preliminary Round - Pool E beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Beach Volleyball - Olympics: Day 12
Elsa/Getty ImagesAlison Cerutti #1 of Team Brazil dumps water on his chest to cool down against Team Latvia during the Men's Quarterfinal beach volleyball on day twelve of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 04, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Elsa Baquerizo McMillan
Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesElsa Baquerizo McMillan #2 in action against Team Netherlands during the Women's Preliminary - Pool B on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Adrian Heidrich of Team Switzerland
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesAdrian Heidrich #1 of Team Switzerland catches the ball prior to a serve against Team United States during the Men's Preliminary Round - Pool C beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Brandie Wilkerson of Team Canada
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesBrandie Wilkerson #2 of Team Canada celebrates against Team Argentina during the Women's Preliminary - Pool C beach volleyball on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team United States
Matthias Hangst/Getty ImagesSarah Sponcil #2 of Team United States dives to return the ball against Team Latvia during the Women's Preliminary - Pool D beach volleyball on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team ROC
Matthias Hangst/Getty ImagesViacheslav Krasilnikov #1 of Team ROC returns the ball against Team Mexico during the Men's Preliminary - Pool B beach volleyball on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Beach Volleyball - Olympics: Day 11
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesTina Graudina #1 of Team Latvia reacts as she competes against Team Canada during the Women's Quarterfinal beach volleyball on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Yusuke Ishijima of Team Japan
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesYusuke Ishijima #1 of Team Japan looks on against Team Italy during the Men's Preliminary - Pool F beach volleyball on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Beach Volleyball - Olympics: Day 13
Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesViacheslav Krasilnikov #1 of Team ROC reacts after defeating Team Qatar during the Men's Semifinal beach volleyball on day thirteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 05, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Beach Volleyball - Olympics: Day 13
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesAnders Berntsen Mol #1 of Team Norway reacts after defeating Team Latvia during Men's Semifinal beach volleyball on day thirteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 05, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Chen Xue of Team China
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesWord on the street, or in this case, on the beach is that any kind of game that requires a ball could be banned on the beach in Seaside Heights. Chen Xue #1 of Team China competes against Team Netherlands during the Women's Preliminary - Pool B beach volleyball on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Team Qatar Men's Beach Volleyball
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images(L-R) Tijan Ahmed and Younousse Cherif of Team Qatar Men's Beach Volleyball practice ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 21, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Xinyi Xia of Team China
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesXinyi Xia #2 of Team China reacts against Team Brazil during the Women's Preliminary - Pool C beach volleyball on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega of Team Cuba
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesLeila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba competes against Team ROC during the Women's Preliminary Round - Pool E beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Mariafe Artacho del Solar of Team Australia
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesMariafe Artacho del Solar #1 of Team Australia competes against Team Italy during the Women's Preliminary Round - Pool E beach volleyball on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Beach Volleyball - Olympics: Day 13
Maja Hitij/Getty ImagesMariafe Artacho del Solar #1 of Team Australia and Taliqua Clancy #2 react after the play against Team Latvia during the Women's Semifinal beach volleyball on day thirteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 05, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Beach Volleyball - Olympics: Day 11
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesBrandie Wilkerson #2 of Team Canada competes against Team Latvia during the Women's Quarterfinal beach volleyball on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
