Linoleic acid found on Santa Monica beach

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- The unknown substance that shut down a portion of Santa Monica State Beach Wednesday night has been identified as linoleic acid.

The substance was reported on the beach near the water at about 7 p.m. Authorities cleared the beach between lifeguard stations 15 and 17 as a precaution.

The public was temporarily barred from the water or the sand in the area, Los Angeles County lifeguard and Santa Monica police officials said.

Lifeguards described the substance as having the appearance of hardened cooking grease.

By 9:45 p.m., Los Angeles County lifeguards determined the substance was not hazardous and launched cleanup operations. The source of the linoleic acid was still unknown.

The Coast Guard initially said the substance may have been chemically-treated water from a boat in the ocean.

Lifeguards are crediting the Santa Monica City Beach Maintenance team for helping with the cleanup.

The beach was expected to resume normal operations Thursday morning.