REVERE, Mass. — Massachusetts environmental officials are investigating a large clam die-off.

The Boston Globe reports hundreds of thousands of Atlantic surf clams have washed up on Revere Beach this week. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation says the die-off is the third event of its kind this summer.

The Division of Marine Fisheries will analyze the clams in an attempt to determine the cause of the mass shellfish kill.

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay spokesman Bruce Berman believes shellfish die-off have increased as a result of climate change. Berman says a certain type of algae that clogs the gills of clams could also be responsible for the kills.

Thousands of menhaden washed up in Mystic River in July. Multiple dead whales have also drifted onto New England shores this month.