Beach substance was fatty acid

A swath of white substance that washed ashore near the Santa Monica Pier on Wednesday, prompting a brief beach closure, was fatty acid, officials said.

Test results showed the substance was linoleic acid, similar to common cooking grease, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department lifeguard division. The substance is not hazardous, they said.

Investigators have not determined the source of the leak.

The fatty gunk forced lifeguards to close an area of Santa Monica Beach while crews investigated the substance.

Santa Monica Beach workers began cleaning up the sand after 11 p.m., filling about half of a beach trash can with the mess.