Guernsey’s States vet, David Chamberlain, recently posted pictures on his Facebook page showing that parts of the beach at Vazon have turned a colour not usually associated with sand.
And several people in Jersey have also reported seeing patches of the pink stuff here.
Some believe it could be caused by decomposing algae while others have suggested it is the spawn of an animal.
In his post, Mr Chamberlain said: ‘Does anyone know what the pink structure is in the photographs?
‘It appears or forms in shallow pools of sea water on the sand.
‘I have seen it at the Richmond end of Vazon for the past two years and I have asked some biologists and environmentalists but no one seems to know what it is.
‘It looks like some kind of precipitate, perhaps it’s the spawn of an animal, there are lots of sand hoppers (Talitrus saltator) in this area. ‘Could it be a pink algal bloom because there is buried seaweed under the sand from winter storms that could provide plenty of nutrients?
‘More worrying is it pollution? I have not put any under a microscope yet but if anyone knows what it is please let me know.’
