Anaerobic bacteria
The green color seen in these coastal waters is from an eruption of hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria. These anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacteria release hydrogen sulfide gas as they decompose algae in the water.
Source
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"OpenStax College, Metabolism Without Oxygen. October 16, 2013."
http://cnx.org/content/m44444/latest/Figure_07_05_01.jpg
OpenStax CNX
CC BY 3.0.
