The term ‘seaweed’ is usually reserved for the larger algae. Seaweed provides food and shelter for many seashore animals, but seaweed can clog ocean baths.
Algal growth around the pool walls and paths, especially over summer can also cause slippery conditions that many pool users do not expect. At some ocean pools, warning signs try to acquaint pool users with this risk.
Chemicals used to clean the pool must now be selected so as not to harm the pool users or the other marine organisms that inhabit the rock platform. Cleaning with high-pressure saltwater is now the preferred method for removing algae.
Microscopic algae in the form of red tides can make ocean pools and ocean beaches unusable.