sargassum islands not affected by seaweed

"Any economic return found by creating a product it can be turned into can make a big difference.". So, if you have travel plans, come to Florida, come to the Caribbean. Sargassum has gas-filled structures called pneumatocysts that look like little berries and help to keep it afloat. "There is good evidence based on the satellite imagery that this will be a big year," Sea Education Association Professor of Oceanography Jeffrey M. Schell told TPG. As Exuma sits inside the Atlantic proper and is buffered by other islands and the Exuma Sound, seaweed is not typically an issue for sounds facing beaches. TRAVEL HEALTH|Feb 27, 2020 Very little sargassum remained around the Florida Keys and the east coast of Florida by the end of the month, the researchers report. Far more than an eyesore, this Sargassum seaweedand the gases it emits as it rotshas been proven to be hazardous to human health. The belt stretches across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula and is as much as 200 to 300 miles wide. An overabundance of sargassum was blamed for the recent deaths of thousands of fish at the French Caribbean island of Martinique. In addition to the unsightly piles of sargassum along the coast, some species produce toxins that affect the food chain or deplete the oxygen in the water when they start to decay, causing fish kills and the die-off of other marine species. The monstrous seaweed bloom is just one more example of a growing global invasion of macro and microscopic algal blooms thriving on an increasing supply ofnutrients such as nitrogen in freshwater and marine ecosystems. Overall, the amount of sargassum . Report inappropriate content EGS-1 Northboro, MA Based on satellite imagery from a quarterly bulletin provided by the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies at the University of the West Indies in Barbados, there is more than 200% more sargassum visible in the Atlantic Ocean than there was at this time last year. "Even the American eel, the Northern European eel, they wouldn't exist without the Sargasso Sea, for example. It also has activists concerned about the plight of endangered turtles, with some dying at sea entangled in seaweed or unable to lay their eggs given the mat of algae covering the sand. The year 2019 has been one of the worst recorded for the seaweed invasion, and predictions for 2020 are uncertain as Mother Nature is quite unpredictable. Algal-bloom-favorable seasons in temperate seas have increased with warmer temperatures. ecosystems that are also affected by sargassum, Violence in Colombia putting the lungs of the world at risk, Why Costa Rica is struggling to maintain its environmental reputation, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg cage match: They are playing at being Schwarzenegger when thousands of jobs are at risk, The tree that gave Brazil its name almost became extinct after the Portuguese conquest. The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt once loomed over Florida beaches, threatening to send ashore piles of sulfur-scented seaweed that would smother sea turtles, aggravate asthma and turn away tourists. Sargassum itself is not harmful to health, says Jose Vazquez, M.D., chief of primary care for Baptist Health Medical Group in South Miami, Florida. If you go to the beach in the next month or so, you may still see some sargassum here and there, but its a small amount. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP the Magazine. After graduating from the School of Medicine at the University of Zagreb in Croatia (then Yugoslavia), he spent 13 years in the Yugoslav Navy as a specialist in naval and diving medicine. Sometimes large collections can wash up on beaches, which can be an annoyance to beach-goers. Its scattered in patches, he says, likening its density to the visual of ground pepper spilled across a table, heavier in some parts and only lightly sprinkled or absent in others. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. According to Hu, the data suggests that the amount of sargassum that reaches the coasts is growing steadily. Now, scientists say the seaweed belt has suffered a mortal blow after a month of unusually strong winds. Sargassum the specific variety of seaweed has long formed large . The decomposition of beached sargasso begins 48 hours after washing up. Research centers and universities, for example, are using it as a source of biofuel, thanks to its composition of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose; sodium alginate, a polysaccharide that can also be found in sargassum and that acts as a thickener, is used in the textile industry and for haute cuisine. Fed by human activity such as intensive soya farming in the Congo, the Amazon and the Mississippi, which dumps. Ifyou have too much, if [it decomposes], it may be harmful, but it's not toxic most of the time," Hu said. According to Schell, these innovations (and those that are still being developed) are a boon to cleanup efforts and the bottom line. Hu said. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. "This is the worst we've ever seen it for sure," said Melody Rouveure, general manager for a tour company in the Dutch Caribbean territory of St. Maarten, which shares an island with St. Martin. Although sargassum levels plummeted in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, theres still plenty of seaweed left floating in the Atlantic Ocean. This year, however, tourists may have noticed something not-so-pleasant awaiting them on the beach: stinky, brownsargassum. It may be difficult to determine exactly which beaches will be affected and when, but an entire city or beach community should not be inundated with sargassum to the point that you can't enjoy some fun in the sun. The rotting, stinking algae leaves less than postcard-perfect views atop beaches that usually have no trouble getting by on their looks. "If it all stays offshore, we wouldn't really have a problem," Barnes said. It simply means that the amount is not alarming. Add Last month, the two were on a collision course. SMART NEWS A 5,000-Mile-Wide Mass of Seaweed Is Heading for Florida and Mexico Known as sargassum, the algae can hurt tourism as it piles up on beaches and starts to rot Sarah Kuta Daily. The Rum & Sargassum program in St. James, Barbados, is creating an inexpensive, alternative fuel source for vehicles using locally sourced waste products like rum distillery wastewater, sheep manure and sargassum. "Even an island like Anguilla that is already seeing sargassum this year is only seeing it on the windward side of the island. Last summer, the U.S. Virgin Islands declared a state of emergency, after "unusually high amounts" of sargassum piled up on its shores, affecting a desalination plant on the island of St. Croix. Check a map and you will see how far the Bahamas are from the Caribbean Sea. Sargassum and sea turtles: Sea turtle nesting season is here! And, as they say, "The tides, they are a-changin'.". Areas affected by the seaweed invasion include Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, and Saint Martin.1,2 The presence of this brown algae represents not only an environmental and economic disaster but a real threat to human health. If it doesnt go very far north, even the western part of the panhandle will be OK, he says. The arrival of sargassum in the Caribbean can be an opportunity for various industries, and in recent years different initiatives have promoted its use as a raw material. The floats of sargasso are usually several feet deep and cover thousands of square miles of the ocean. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. In the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, the dominant species are Sargassum fluitans and Sargassum natans, says Chuanmin Hu, professor of optical oceanography at the University of South Florida. Matted piles swamped. By the time it reaches Florida, if it does reach Florida, the amount will be minimal, Hu said. Winds, currents and tides help determine where exactly sargassum will accumulate and wash ashore. Not all algal blooms are bad. Now, I am more and more cautious whether I can really predict the future, he says. "Right now they're scattered here and here with a low density. Sargassum washed ashore in the Florida Keys and Cancun, but there may be hope Sargassum washes up on the beach in Miami Beach, Florida, in May 2023. Lee facing beaches are even less affected. Very little sargassum was found by the end of June in the Straits of Florida and along the east coast of Florida, according to the University of South Florida.. Even within the belt, the density is of less than 0.1 per cent," Hu said. We said, In June, its likely going to drop. But we never expected it would drop this much.. CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSES: Why scientists say humans are to blame. It is a clear example of how climate change affects us directly and indirectly, points out the biologist. A recent report by the University of South Florida states that due to a record-breaking amount of sargassum in the Atlantic, there could be a major seaweed bloom in 2023 in the Caribbean Sea. USA TODAY 0:00 1:21 Beachgoers in Florida and the Caribbean could be greeted by heavy blankets of smelly seaweed in the weeks ahead as a 5,000-mile swath of sargassum drifts westward and piles. Find exclusive interviews, smart advice, free novels, full documentaries, fun daily features and much more all a benefit of your AARP membership on Members Only Access. Boaters may also have trouble navigating their vessels through the weed floats and should follow forecastslike the Sargassum Watch Systemto avoid being captured by grass in bays and shallow waters. Matted piles swamped. The Caribbean overcame significant challenges in 2022 as Sargassum washed ashore in unprecedented amounts.More about that event can be found in a CoastWatch User Story here.. 1 ChicagoBear11 Chicago, Illinois Level Contributor 4,811 posts 39 reviews 50 helpful votes 1. (Victor Ruiz Garcia/Reuters) Every winter, millions of Canadians head down to the Caribbean in search of sunshine, pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. To see more, visit WLRN 91.3 FM. A series of early tropical storms tore through the Atlantic in June, setting up a Godzilla-versus-Mothra style battle between two consequences of climate change: abnormally large seaweed blobs and abnormally early tropical storms. The fertilizer industry, namely the Fortune 500 company The Mosaic Co. that dominates Florida phosphate mining, has long advocated exploring potential uses for the waste. Winds, currents and even small storms can influence where the sargassum moves. Florida Today 0:00 0:33 Substantial s argassum is expected in June in both the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, according to the May report from the University of South Florida. Often called "the blob," the mass of . I wouldn't worry about things.". In 2018, in Guadeloupe and Martinique, there were 11,000 cases of suspected poisoning reported. AARP reached out to experts for the latest information on the Sargassum, where its effects are most likely to be felt ashore and potential health complications related to the rotting seaweed. "The sargassum stranding in the North Sound is unlike any we have experienced previously in terms of its location, weather conditions and scale," officials said. According to SaWS, January was the second month in a row where sargassum doubled, which last happened in 2018. Up to 30% off base rates and other benefits. "We're consuming as much as we can produce right now," said Daryl Jaschen, director of the islands' emergency management agency. The excess of nitrogen and phosphorus derived from the putrefaction process serves as fertilizer for them to grow more, generating leachates, sulfidic acid and arsenic, which are responsible for the fetid and rotten smell that has now become common in some Caribbean tourist destinations. Sargassum is neither destructive nor harmful under normal circumstances, even when left unattended on beaches. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. The concentration of algae is so heavy in some parts of the eastern Caribbean that the French island of Guadeloupe issued a health alert in late July. Be prepared to visit a variety of nearby beaches and plan a few alternate activities, like visiting an aquarium or botanical garden, as a backup plan. With increasing temperatures, that growth gets boosted. By Denise Chow A raft of brown-colored seaweed in the Atlantic Ocean is so vast it can be seen from space. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. Other island nations have opted to use heavy machinery to remove seaweed from the beach, but scientists warn that causes erosion and could destroy the nests of endangered turtles. In some cases, there's so much seaweed thatlocal governments must useheavy equipment anddump trucks to haul it away, LaPointe said. AARP Membership $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. "Everything grows fast.". Much less washed in that it has in the past wk. This biologist wants to rescue it, Mercenaries out of control: Putin tries to legalize 30 Russian paramilitary companies, Riccardo Muti: I dont care about whats politically correct, but about quality, The new gold rush in the US: Liquified natural gas, Maestra en Big Data y Analytics 100% en lnea, MBA Administracin y Direccin de Empresas en lnea, Programa en lnea en 'Project Finance' Internacional, Maestra en lnea en Direccin de Recursos Humanos y Gestin del Talento, Maestra en Comercio Internacional presencial en Madrid, Espaa, Maestra en Marketing Digital & E-Commerce. In short, the sign is good for Florida, but we need to see what happens, Hu says. One month ago we predicted this, said Chuanmin Hu, who is part of the USF research lab that tracks sargassum. An abundance of sargassum can threaten delicate shoreline ecosystems, as well as smother coral reefs, reducingtheir cover and roughness, which makes them more susceptible to waves and have less protection from hurricanes. No more seaweed threat this summer. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try Co-ops can cut cost for homeowners in South Florida. In healthy amounts, sargassum is a critical habitat for sea creatures. The "golden tide" also has hit humans hard. For comparison, the blob had grown to 13 million tons in April. "We've found that there are actually three distinct morphotypes found in drifting sargassum blooms," shared Schell. Sargassum is usually found in a region called the Sargasso Sea, where it tends to circulate in a vortex called a gyre, through a five-million square kilometre belt that runs from Chesapeake Bay in the mid-Atlantic, all the way to the Caribbean. "It did ruin my personal beach plans.". "Massive seaweed blob invades Florida beaches! One region that saw the most significant decrease in sargassum was the Gulf of Mexico. Global South makes its case for $700B to protect biodiversity at COP15, Study reveals global algae blooms are growing, and warming waters may be to blame. And then it went back to the Sargasso Sea," van Tussenbroek said. Since 2011, large amounts of sargassum have invaded the Caribbean every year except 2013 an anomaly that scientists believe may have resulted from a lack of nutrients and a change in wind strength and direction. And the record amounts reported in recent years are even more concerning for scientists and island governments. According to the USF, the seaweed has continued to aggregate in the Central West Atlantic but has appeared to slow down. The recent Sargassum bloom has been fueled by nutrient runoff including nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff arriving from rivers that flow into the Atlantic Basin, including Africas Congo River, the Amazon and the Mississippi, according to Brian Lapointe, a research professor with the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. It may drift into the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and eventually into the Strait of Florida later this summer but this late in the year, Hu said, sargassum is no longer rapidly multiplying. But when it decomposes onshore, he says, it releases hydrogen sulfide gas. Bryan said he is now trying to find local funds to clean beaches, "but a lot of things need money right now.". It's back. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. "The local management agencies typically remove large amounts of seaweed from the beach before it decomposes," Xie said. Disfruta con nuestros Crucigramas para expertos! Very little sargassum remained around the Florida Keys and the east coast of Florida by the end of the month, the researchers report. The problem has worsened as clumps multiplied, fueled by nutrients and strong sunlight. It warned some communities about high levels of hydrogen sulfide emanating from huge rotting clumps of seaweed, which can affect people with respiratory problems including asthma. "They're essentially being smothered out," Krimsky said. "But if somebody could put all the sargassum in one place, what is the size of this? The exact drivers of the growth are still a bit "shrouded in mystery," says Brian Lapointe, a research professor with Florida Atlantic University, who's been studying sargassum for over 40 years. Those winds may dissipate sargassum or even make them sink. This, in turn, affects the biodiversity of the system they support. Europe and North America had the largest bloom areas. Its a national security threat, In Florida, the heat can kill. / AFP via Getty Images Sargassum seaweed inundated the shores of Le Gosier on the French islands of Guadeloupe in November 2022. This years satellite findings are likely due to ocean circulation and wind that changed the nutrient structure feeding Sargassum growth, he says. Schell's team has already made one incredible breakthrough that could change how sargassum levels are predicted in the future. Her work has appeared inNational Geographic TravelerandThe Washington Postand on CNN. (346 kilometers) from Guadeloupe, in between the islands . Check out the map of the year 2023 Since its creation in 2018, Sargassum Monitoring has been independent. During the transport, instead of growing, it will die, he said. ", "And also most time, even if they accumulate on beaches, the local people typically remove them. Definitions explained. Nuevo curso 'online', Maestra en Ciencias Ambientales presencial en Benito Jurez, Licenciatura en Administracin de Empresas presencial en Benito Jurez, Maestra a distancia en Lingstica Aplicada a la Enseanza del Espaol como Lengua Extranjera, Licenciatura Ejecutiva en Psicologa Semipresencial. By Philippa Fogarty The Caribbean When waves of sargassum - a type of seaweed - washed up on Eastern Caribbean shores seven years ago, people hoped it was a one-off. Sargassum is a type of buoyant, rootless algae that bunches up in islands and floats around the ocean. In his 20+ years at DAN, he has published in numerous scientific journals, organized workshops, and given frequent talks and keynote addresses at scientific meetings, conferences, workshops, and trade shows. As the ocean currents brought the spill into contact with sargassum, oil would coat those same snarled branches and bladders of the seaweed. Northern islands of the Lesser Antilles are already seeing the negative effects of sargassum play out. Sargassum has a lot of arsenic, but also cadmium, lead and other heavy metals, as well as dangerous bacteria that pollute the environment, she warns. Plan Your Summer Vacation Now for Surprising Perks, Budget-friendly airfare and affordable rental cars are possible if you act now, Expanded direct flights, new resorts and exciting amenities make these five islands even more alluring this winter, Visit this colorful British island rich with history and beautiful pink-sand beaches. Since the problem was pointed out by environmentalists and hotel owners, governments have sought ways to clean their affected beaches in order to recover tourism. One region of the Sargassum Belt saw an increase in the amount of seaweed. Staying safe around Sargassum is simple, he says: If you know you have a respiratory problem, stay away from beaches when theres a Sargassum problem. People with asthma should use an inhaler, and if symptoms worsen, see a doctor. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content. And they don't expect the remaining seaweed in the Atlantic Ocean to cause much trouble in Florida. "Were seeing such massive blooms now.". Photo taken in 2018. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Scientists dont expect seaweed levels to recover this year, now that the plants spring growing season is over. Both are yellowish-brownish seaweed that are pelagic, meaning they live in surface waters and are not attached to ocean substrates, such as sand or coral reef. a 5,000-mile swath of sargassum drifts westward, Subscribe to the weekly Climate Point newsletter, Latest climate change news from USA TODAY, The algal blooms are linked to human activities, the starving deaths of hundreds of manatees, a group of international researchers in a coastal phytoplankton studypublished this month in the journal Nature, Huge seaweed blob on way to Florida is 'like a Stephen King movie'. The trend was first documented on satellite in 2011. The clumps of brown seaweed, called Sargassum, are part of a massive bloom collecting in the Caribbean Sea spanning about 5,000 miles.It's forecast to become the largest-ever bloom recorded . . It is a habitat, though, so we have to be mindful and respectful of the animals who call sargassum home.". Chuanmin Hu, a professor at University of South Florida who studies these blooms with theirSargassum Watch System (SaWS), said that a lot of nutrients come from the Saharan Desert dust that blows across the Atlantic Ocean. Sargassum is a genus of naturally occurring algae or seaweed that exists in hundreds of species. Another problem that stems from the removal of sargassum is how poorly they dispose of it. That means pretty much that the sargassum season for Florida is gone.. She is the editor of the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and the author of several books. The sheer number of beaches affected may be cause for concern. Copyright 2023 WLRN 91.3 FM. "We're very concerned about that.". But before it dies it can be washed ashore by wind, tides and ocean circulation, and this is what people are worried about.. It doesnt hurt anything.. By Philippa Fogarty The Caribbean When waves of sargassum - a type of seaweed - washed up on Eastern Caribbean shores seven years ago, people hoped it was a one-off. In recent years, sargassum has made headlines due to its impact and accumulation on beaches in the Caribbean, Lucayan Archipelago, Antilles, and Florida. They noted that the amount of seaweed dropped by about 9 million metric tons between May and June. The challenge has since extended to the contiguous United States as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt drifts towards Florida. The normally translucent waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly brown slush. Recently, the mass that is washing up on the eastern Caribbean shores was traced back to the north shores of Brazil, which is a part of the north equatorial recirculation region (NERR). Because sargassum undergoes seasonal growth cycles, some years are worse than others, and researchers are still trying to fully understand these cycles. Quite apart from its gorgeous beaches, Grenada is a popular Caribbean destination thanks to its artisanal rum farms, organic bean-to-bar chocolate, and mountains dotted with waterfalls. "It is absolutely devastating for the region.". Sargassum at Yabucoa beach, in Puerto Rico, last august. ", SARGASSUM SEAWEED CLEARS AWAY BUT COULD STILL CREATE PROBLEMS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA BEACHGOERS. Floats from the Sargasso Sea rarely reach the Caribbean, but with the proliferation of sargasso weed in the NERR region, the Caribbean gets flooded more often and with a huge quantity. Affected beach destinations also have cleanup initiatives to help keep their beaches looking beautiful and inviting to visitors. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico A record amount of seaweed is smothering Caribbean coasts from Puerto Rico to Barbados as tons of brown algae kill wildlife, choke the tourism industry and release toxic gases. If this declining trend continues in the Gulf of Mexico, then by July most affected beaches in Florida should only have small to negligible amounts of Sargassum.. But Hu said the sargassum left in the Atlantic is unlikely to bother swimmers and sunbathers in Florida. With the aim of promoting the principles of the circular economy, which uses everything while creating added value, some companies are taking advantage of the impurities left over from the alginate extraction process, such as fucoidans. Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed (and a form of algae) found in the Atlantic Ocean. July saw no decrease of algae in the Caribbean Sea, said Chuanmin Hu, an optical oceanography professor who helps produce the reports. Sargassum, a naturally occurring type of macroalgae, has grown at an alarming rate this winter. Obtendr un diploma con estadsticas de nivel, progresin y participacin. Their ability to track sargassum is getting better every year. So even when a tiny amount of the total is washed on the beach, it means a lot to people, he says. While documenting it, some of those explorers feared that their ships would get stuck in that brown tide. This year, however, tourists may have noticed something not-so-pleasant awaiting them on the beach: stinky, brownsargassum. Not freaking out about the Sargassum situation and your Florida summer vacation might be a good rule of thumb right now, too. During the transport, instead of growing, it will die, he said. DEFINITIONS: Is climate change the same thing as global warming? "Minimal Sargassum amount was found in the western [Caribbean Sea], including waters along the Mexicos [sic] Caribbean coast," they added. And, scientists believe that with a changing climate, there could be more ocean upwelling. It's about, I think, 3,000 square kilometres, with no gap.". FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Huge seaweed blob on way to Florida is 'like a Stephen King movie'. "We just don't know. After months of invading beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the nuisance sargassum seaweed has significantly disappeared. That means pretty much that the sargassum season for Florida is gone.. But Hu said the sargassum left in the Atlantic is unlikely to bother swimmers and sunbathers in Florida. Schell's team conducts research in the field and in the lab at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, to understand sargassum growth rates under different temperatures, salinity and nutrient conditions. He pointed to places like the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Mexicos Yucatan coast as having seen major effects from where the seaweed washed ashore in recent years. Patches of sargassum have been spotted in the Atlantic Ocean for centuries, but since. But there are no laws to protect its many outdoor workers, On the front lines of extreme heat in South Florida. shows the 'temporal nature of youth'. Experts are looking into a number of methods for collecting and cleaning up sargassum before it becomes a headache for beach communities and beachgoers. Sargassum is a buoyant, brown and . If you go to the beach in the next month or so, you may still see some sargassum here and there, but its a small amount. Monthly bulletins from the University of South Florida suggest there's a significant amount of the seaweed around beaches this year . In February, that dropped tobetween six-to-sevenmillion metric tons. Germany Conference 2023, Articles S