The group charges that the remains of the fireworks - typically around 240 of them launched per night from a barge - pollute the bay with various chemicals and metals, a violation of the Clean Water Act. The Coastkeeper is particularly concerned with copper, lead, arsenic, and mercury which it claims is in the shells. SeaWorld denies the presence of the last three compounds in its fireworks.

The park is now seeking a special discharge permit that will allow it to release the chemicals.

See Sign On San Diego for more.