A massive seaweed bloom, known as sargassum, is wreaking havoc on beaches in Florida and the Caribbean. This year’s bloom has already broken its own size record, weighing in at 31 million tons, 40% more than the previous record set in June 2022.
The Problem
Sargassum can be beneficial in small amounts, providing habitat for marine life and producing oxygen through photosynthesis. However, excessive amounts can harm ecosystems and economies. When it washes ashore, it emits toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, causing a potent stench, and can also lead to reduced oxygen levels in the water, killing marine life.
“The tourists check out, and they don’t come back,” said Brian LaPointe, a research professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, highlighting the economic impact on tourism.
Causes of the Bloom
Rising ocean temperatures due to human-caused climate change are contributing to the surge in sargassum growth. Excess nitrogen in the water, likely from agricultural fertilizers and atmospheric pollution, is also fueling the bloom.
“What happens when you have a severe drought in the world’s largest watershed? You get all this organic matter that dries up. Plants dry up and die. And then, when the rain hits, what happens? All those nutrients wash out,” LaPointe explained.
Impact on Local Communities
The bloom is affecting popular destinations like Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, with resorts spending heavily on cleanup efforts. Mara Lezama, governor of Quintana Roo, has partnered with the Mexican Navy to collect seaweed and install barriers to protect beaches.
Potential Solutions
Researchers are exploring ways to utilize the sargassum, such as:
- Biofuel production: Converting sargassum into energy
- Building materials: Using sargassum to create building bricks
- Water purification: Harnessing sargassum’s absorbent properties to clean contaminated water
- Carbon sequestration: Sinking excessive biomass to the ocean floor to reduce carbon levels
- Biodegradable products: Replacing single-use plastics with sargassum-based alternatives
“We need to change… how we do things,” said Christian Appendini, professor at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, emphasizing the need for sustainable development practices.