Beachgoers throughout La Jolla and across San Diego’s coastal communities have seen large deposits of murky green algae covering big patches of ocean water in recent weeks. “Green algae is not hazardous,” lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum said. “It’s a natural occurrence that happens from time to time when the ocean generates its own bacteria. Algae forms on the surface of the water and gets pushed by the wind, then accumulates along the shore.” Lerum said the wind directions determine where the algae deposits occur, and said wind patterns direct more algae to La Jolla Shores than to other areas such as Mission Beach to the south. — Jenna Frazier