Introduction to Sargassum
This is going to be another major year for sargassum, according to a bulletin published by the Optical Oceanography Laboratory of the University of South Florida, and beachgoers can probably already tell.
On Thursday, Chopper6 flew over North Miami Beach and Miami Beach to check out reports of the brown, stinky seaweed that’s become infamous on South Florida’s coastlines.
And there it was. Lots and lots of it.
In March, the Optical Oceanography Laboratory wrote that the total amount of sargassum "in the tropical Atlantic as well as for all regions combined reached a new historical record for the same month of March."
Predictions and Current Situation
At the time, the amount in the Gulf was "still low," but there were signs that some of this brown macroalgae would be "transported to the Straits of Florida in the coming weeks."
"There is a relatively large amount in offshore waters east of Florida, but the probability of this sargassum reaching the east coast is low because the strong Gulf Stream may serve as a barrier," the bulletin reads.
NOAA
An infographic from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows how sargassum goes from hundreds of miles away in the open ocean to the coastline.
NBC6 is working to get in touch with an expert about whether those predictions came to pass—and if so, how much worse it could get.
Why Does it Matter?
Impact on Beaches and Environment
Well, there’s the obvious. It can be an eyesore, and makes going to the beach a little more uncomfortable, and yes, smelly.
"The inundation of large amounts of seaweed onto our coastlines affects recreation, tourism [and] the decay of the sargassum on the coastlines actually can release hydrogen sulfide gas, which is very poisonous. We have to be careful about that, but it’s also affecting the local environments as well," Dr. Dennis McGillicuddy, of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, says.
Consequences for Marine Life
Specifically, if the bloom is too large, it could block sunlight and have negative consequences for sea grasses and coral reefs.
"Another direct consequence we see of this in the coastal ocean has to do with animals that use the coastal environment for reproduction," McGillicuddy says. "As you probably know, loggerhead turtles, their preferred nesting environment are beaches. And so we’ve seen situations when the adults can’t get ashore to lay their eggs, and then those that are lucky enough to lay their eggs, the hatchlings have difficulty getting back out into the ocean because of the seaweed barrier that’s created by sargassum."
Conclusion
The arrival of large amounts of sargassum on Miami Beach and other coastal areas is not just an aesthetic issue but also has significant environmental and ecological implications. Understanding the reasons behind these massive seaweed blooms and their impact on marine life and coastal communities is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate their effects.
FAQs
- What is sargassum?
Sargassum is a type of brown macroalgae that originates in the open ocean and can wash up on coastlines in large quantities. - Why is sargassum a problem?
Sargassum can be an eyesore, affects recreation and tourism, and its decay can release poisonous gases. It also impacts local environments and can hinder the reproduction of certain marine species. - What can be done about sargassum?
Efforts to understand and predict sargassum blooms are ongoing. Coastal management strategies, including removal and disposal of washed-up seaweed, are being implemented to mitigate its impacts.
