The Pacific Ocean near the Santa Monica Pier is about to get a dramatic splash of pink, but it’s not for a movie, a festival, or a stunt. It’s all in the name of science.
Later this month, researchers from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering will temporarily dye the waters pink as part of an innovative study on coastal water movement and pollution dispersion. The non-toxic dye, known as Rhodamine, will be released on four separate days: September 15, 22, 24, and 30.
While the pink surf might resemble a scene from Barbie, the real story is about research and responsibility: a striking visual experiment to better understand how pollutants travel through the ocean and how California can protect its coastal waters.
What the Project Will Do
The study is being led by UCLA’s Coastal Flooding Lab in collaboration with The Bay Foundation. Researchers are analyzing how the local breakwater impacts currents, water quality, and the potential spread of contaminants.
By using the bright dye as a visual tracer, scientists will be able to observe water movement in real time and collect valuable data to determine whether pollution poses risks to people, marine life, or vegetation.
“It will help us better understand pollution,” said Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete, who welcomed the project.
Safety First
Officials emphasized that the dye is completely safe and temporary. Rhodamine is approved for use by the City of Santa Monica, the California Coastal Commission, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The project underscores a growing commitment to ensuring that Southern California’s beaches remain clean, safe, and accessible for future generations.
So if you see pink waves crashing against the pier later this month, don’t worry, it’s not a spill, it’s science at work.
