California Sea Grant researchers say they've determined Northern California septic tanks are leaking nitrogen and phosphate into Pacific coastal waters. The researchers said they have discovered elevated levels of the nutrients in the surf zone during periods of high groundwater flows to the beach. The scientists said such leakage can cause algal blooms. Our project is one of the first in California to show definitively that septic tanks can affect coastal water quality through submarine groundwater discharge, said Stanford University Professor Alexandria Boehm.

Here's a term you may start to hear more often: sand pollution. No one knows exactly what's causing it, but scientists do know that beaches often contain high levels of bacteria linked to the presence of harmful pathogens.

By Suzanne Bohan Here's a term you may start to hear more often: "sand pollution." No one knows exactly what's causing it, but scientists do know that beaches often contain high levels of bacteria linked to the presence of harmful pathogens.

By Suzanne Bohan Here's a term you may start to hear more often: sand pollution. No one knows exactly what's causing it, but scientists know that beaches often contain high levels of bacteria linked to the presence of harmful pathogens.

By Suzanne Bohan Here's a term you may start to hear more often: "Sand pollution." No one knows exactly what's causing it, but scientists do know that beaches often contain high levels of bacteria linked to the presence of harmful pathogens.