Giant tide of seaweed visible from space threatening beaches with grim smell

12 March 2023 , 20:38

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The massive tide of seaweed has prompted a major clean-up operation (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A huge mass of seaweed in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean is so big it can be seen from space and is now threatening beaches.

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is a colossal 5,000 miles across and could cause problems for tourism in Mexico and Florida in the US as ocean currents push it towards land.

Brian LaPointe, a research professor at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, told NBC News that this year's seaweed bloom is a particular concern.

Despite alarming scientists for some time, LaPoitne said this year was "incredible" but that "what we're seeing in the satellite imagery does not bode well for a clean beach year."

Seaweed, or sargassum, usually washes ashore in around May, but this year's large quantity means beaches are already being covered.

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The problem has been around for years but appears to be getting gradually worse.

The belt is 5,000 miles across (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Though seaweed is good for the planet in terms of its ability to absorb carbon emissions and its uses as a renewable material, but such large quantities of the plant near beaches is a big problem.

When it rots, it can cause a bad smell that is bad for tourism, as well as reducing the air and water quality.

Brian Barnes, an assistant research professor at the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science, added: "Even if it's just out in coastal waters, it can block intake valves for things like power plants or desalination plants, marinas can get completely inundated and boats can't navigate through.

The buildup is getting bigger every year (AFP via Getty Images)

"It can really threaten critical infrastructure."

It can also choke coral, creating disastrous consequences for local ecosystems.

The US Virgin Islands was forced to declare a state of emergency last year after masses of sargassum led to water shortages.

Currently, the brown algae mass reaches across from the coast of West Africa, right over to the Americas and weighs around 20 million tons.

Cleaning on the main beach in the center of Playa del Carmen, covered with sargassum seaweed (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Barnes added: "Historically, as far back as we have records, Sargassum has been a part of the ecosystem, but the scale now is just so much bigger.

"What we would have thought was a major bloom five years ago is no longer even a blip."

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At present, parts of Mexico including areas like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, are preparing for around three feet of Sargussum buildup.

Patricia Estridge, CEO of Seaweed Generation, told the Guardian: "I think I’ve replaced my climate change anxiety with sargassum anxiety."

Benjamin Lynch