Latest news with #OpticalOceanographyLab
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Seaweed overruns some Caribbean beaches as Sargassum hits record levels
PONCE, Puerto Rico – As Sargassum levels surge to unprecedented amounts across parts of the Atlantic basin, some beaches in the Caribbean have already been overwhelmed by the thick, smelly seaweed. Photos and videos taken throughout the Caribbean show extensive accumulations of the smelly algae along the southern and eastern coasts of Puerto Rico, as well as in parts of Cozumel and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. In some locales, the buildup appeared to be so significant that residents and tourists stayed away from the shoreline entirely, leaving some beaches relatively empty. The uneven impact of the seaweed means one area may be spared while a nearby location experiences the brunt of the activity. Much of the variation appears to be driven by ocean currents that either direct or protect the seaweed from reaching specific locations. Record-breaking Sargassum Invasion In Atlantic, Caribbean Threatens To Foul Beach Resorts Ceiba, a coastal community on Puerto Rico's eastern shore southeast of San Juan, appeared to be one of the hardest-hit areas. Photos taken in the coastal community showed beaches blanketed by the brown algae. Remarkably, the beaches located less than a 20-minute drive away looked pristine, which underscores the unpredictable nature of the event. Unlike the photos from Ceiba, images from tourist-heavy areas along Mexico's Yucatán coast revealed that some areas had benefited from cleanup operations, which helps to temporarily mitigate the unwanted sight. The Mexican government previously stated it was taking a more proactive approach in 2025, dedicating resources to both monitor and manage the seaweed. The government's efforts appeared to be focused on protecting the region's critical tourism industry, which can suffer when unpleasant coastal events arise. Noaa Mission Finds Unexpected Discovery At Site Of Sunken Uss Yorktown While the seaweed might look unpleasant, health experts advise beachgoers that the Sargassum isn't usually harmful to humans. However, tiny creatures that bury in the globs can produce rashes and blisters if contact is made with the skin. For some species of marine life, the brown algae are considered to be helpful, and biologists believe that the buildup provides food and refuge for small fish, crabs, shrimp and other organisms. Monthly updates from the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab are expected to show that the Sargassum will remain at significant levels at least through the summer. Experts at the Tampa-based university warn that increased amounts could lead to problems along the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida, but it remains to be seen whether volumes will rival what was experienced during the 2023 article source: Seaweed overruns some Caribbean beaches as Sargassum hits record levels
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Caribbean Beach Resorts Threatened by Smelly Invader
Caribbean resorts may be plagued by a peculiar phenomenon in the upcoming weeks, as 37.5 million metric tons of seaweed was detected during May. The metrics of seaweed mark the largest detected amount in the Atlantic basin since monitoring began in 2011, according to a new report from the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab. 'As predicted last month, while the spatial distribution patterns of Sargassum remained stable, Sargassum amount in each region increased in May considerably,' researchers stated. 'In every (area) but the Gulf of Mexico region, Sargassum amount exceeded its historical record. In particular, total Sargassum amount from all regions combined further increased from 31 (million) tons in April to 37.5 (million) tons in May, making a new record.' Traces of seaweed have been found on several beaches along the Gulf Coast and in Florida, sparking concern and raising questions among both experts and beach visitors about whether larger blooms will eventually spread across beaches in the southern United States. The large amounts of seaweed can turn many resorts in the Caribbean into a foul smelling locale. This is not a new occurrence. The Florida Keys typically begin to experience widespread sightings of seaweed in late spring, with more pronounced effects often occurring throughout the Florida peninsula during the summer and fall. 'Although 2025 is a record year in terms of Sargassum amount, whether a beach or small region receives record-high Sargassum inundation depends not only on the offshore Sargassum amount, but also on local factors that are difficult to predict, including winds and ocean currents,' USF staff stated. While the exact causes of the growing blooms are not known, research is pointing to climate change as one of the causes. Caribbean Beach Resorts Threatened by Smelly Invader first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 4, 2025
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Record-breaking sargassum invasion in Atlantic, Caribbean threatens to foul beach resorts
A record-breaking 37.5 million metric tons of seaweed was detected during May, with biologists warning that some Caribbean resorts may be blanketed by the naturally-occurring phenomenon during the coming weeks. According to a new report from the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab, the observed amount of seaweed was the largest detected amount in the Atlantic basin since monitoring began in 2011. 'As predicted last month, while the spatial distribution patterns of Sargassum remained stable, Sargassum amount in each region increased in May considerably,' researchers stated. 'In every (area) but the Gulf of Mexico region, Sargassum amount exceeded its historical record. In particular, total Sargassum amount from all regions combined further increased from 31 (million) tons in April to 37.5 (million) tons in May, making a new record.' Small amounts have already been detected on some beaches along the Gulf Coast and Florida, with experts and beachgoers alike wondering if or when the more substantial blooms will invade beaches across the southern US. During typical years, the Florida Keys may see widespread reports during the late spring, with more significant impacts across the Florida peninsula during the summer and fall. 5 Sargassum pile up on the coast of Playa del Carmen, Mexico on June 3, 2025. REUTERS 5 A woman picks up seaweed on a beach during its season in Mexico. REUTERS Photos and videos from eastern Puerto Rico show several waterways and beaches covered by the seaweed, with likely months to go before their inundation is over. 'Although 2025 is a record year in terms of Sargassum amount, whether a beach or small region receives record-high Sargassum inundation depends not only on the offshore Sargassum amount, but also on local factors that are difficult to predict, including winds and ocean currents,' USF staff stated. Vacation destinations on alert The exact causes of the growing blooms are not fully understood, but researchers point to climate change, fertilizer runoff and deforestation in South America as possible significant contributors. Health experts say that while the seaweed may look and smell unpleasant, it poses little risk to humans, but it can significantly impact the tourism industry. Popular beaches can turn into foul-smelling destinations, forcing local governments to spend significant resources on cleanup and restoration efforts. 5 Three men prepare to launch their sailboats in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on top of the sargassum seaweed. REUTERS 5 A woman sunbathes on a beach during the sargassum seaweed in Playa del Carmen, Mexico on June 3, 2025. REUTERS As part of the Mexican government's response, officials planned to focus on discovery and containment efforts in the waters surrounding nearly four dozen popular beaches along the Yucatán Peninsula and Caribbean coast. For areas around the Yucatán Peninsula, seaweed typically washes ashore between April and October but, due to climate change, its increased presence has become particularly problematic in recent years. It remains undetermined if the seaweed will plague Florida like in 2023, when many beaches were covered in the sticky mess. 5 A buoy barricade is deployed to contain the seaweed from piling up on the beaches in Mexico. REUTERS Looking ahead, the report expects the sargassum to continue to grow in coverage throughout June, particularly in the western Caribbean and into the Gulf. For some species of marine life, the brown algae is considered to be helpful, with biologists stating that the buildup provides food and refuge for small fish, crabs, shrimp and other organisms.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Record-breaking sargassum invasion in Atlantic, Caribbean threatens to foul beach resorts
TAMPA, Fla. - A record-breaking 37.5 million metric tons of seaweed was detected during May, with biologists warning that some Caribbean resorts may be blanketed by the naturally-occurring phenomenon during the coming weeks. According to a new report from the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab, the observed amount of seaweed was the largest detected amount in the Atlantic basin since monitoring began in 2011. "As predicted last month, while the spatial distribution patterns of Sargassum remained stable, Sargassum amount in each region increased in May considerably," researchers stated. "In every (area) but the Gulf of Mexico region, Sargassum amount exceeded its historical record. In particular, total Sargassum amount from all regions combined further increased from 31 (million) tons in April to 37.5 (million) tons in May, making a new record." Small amounts have already been detected on some beaches along the Gulf Coast and Florida, with experts and beachgoers alike wondering if or when the more substantial blooms will invade beaches across the southern U.S. During typical years, the Florida Keys may see widespread reports during the late spring, with more significant impacts across the Florida peninsula during the summer and fall. Photos and videos from eastern Puerto Rico show several waterways and beaches covered by the seaweed, with likely months to go before their inundation is over. Noaa Mission Finds Unexpected Discovery At Site Of Sunken Uss Yorktown "Although 2025 is a record year in terms of Sargassum amount, whether a beach or small region receives record-high Sargassum inundation depends not only on the offshore Sargassum amount, but also on local factors that are difficult to predict, including winds and ocean currents," USF staff stated. The exact causes of the growing blooms are not fully understood, but researchers point to climate change, fertilizer runoff and deforestation in South America as possible significant contributors. Health experts say that while the seaweed may look and smell unpleasant, it poses little risk to humans, but it can significantly impact the tourism industry. Popular beaches can turn into foul-smelling destinations, forcing local governments to spend significant resources on cleanup and restoration efforts. As part of the Mexican government's response, officials planned to focus on discovery and containment efforts in the waters surrounding nearly four dozen popular beaches along the Yucatán Peninsula and Caribbean coast. For areas around the Yucatán Peninsula, seaweed typically washes ashore between April and October but, due to climate change, its increased presence has become particularly problematic in recent years. Globs Of Seaweed Wash Ahsore In Miami Beach Ahead Of Sargassum Season It remains undetermined if the seaweed will plague Florida like in 2023, when many beaches were covered in the sticky mess. Looking ahead, the report expects the sargassum to continue to grow in coverage throughout June, particularly in the western Caribbean and into the Gulf. For some species of marine life, the brown algae is considered to be helpful, with biologists stating that the buildup provides food and refuge for small fish, crabs, shrimp and other article source: Record-breaking sargassum invasion in Atlantic, Caribbean threatens to foul beach resorts
The Guardian
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Caribbean beaches blighted by record masses of stinking seaweed
A record amount of sargassum has piled up across the Caribbean and nearby areas in May, and more is expected this month, according to a new study. The brown prickly algae is suffocating shorelines from Puerto Rico to Guyana and beyond, disrupting tourism, killing wildlife and even releasing toxic gases that forced one school in the French Caribbean island of Martinique to temporarily close. The amount – 38m tonnes – is the biggest quantity of algae observed across the Caribbean Sea, the western and eastern Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico since scientists began studying the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt in 2011, said Brian Barnes, an assistant research professor at the University of South Florida who worked on the new report from the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab. The previous record was set in June 2022 , with some 22m tonnes. 'The peaks just seem to keep getting bigger and bigger year after year,' he said. But scientists don't know why yet. 'It's the million-dollar question,' he said. 'I don't have a supremely satisfying answer.' Three different types of sargassum exist in the Caribbean and nearby areas, reproducing asexually as they remain afloat thanks to tiny air sacs. They thrive in different ways depending on sunlight, nutrients and water temperature, factors that scientists are currently studying, Barnes said. Experts have also said that agricultural runoff, warming waters and changes in wind, current and rain could have an effect. While large clumps of algae in the open ocean are what Barnes called a 'healthy, happy ecosystem' for creatures ranging from tiny shrimp to endangered sea turtles, sargassum near or on shore can wreak havoc. It can block sunlight that coral reefs need to survive, and if the algae sinks, it can smother reefs and sea grasses. Once it reaches shore, the creatures living in the algae die or are picked off by birds, Barnes said. Huge piles of stinky seaweed also are a headache for the Caribbean, where tourism often generates big money for small islands. In the popular tourist spot of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, officials have invested in barriers to prevent sargassum from reaching the shore. In the Dutch Caribbean territory of Sint Maarten, crews with backhoes were dispatched in late May as part of an emergency cleanup after residents complained of strong smells of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which can affect a person's respiratory system. 'The smell is quite terrible,' Barnes said. Meanwhile, in the French Caribbean, officials expect to soon use storage barges and an upgraded special vessel that can collect several tonnes of seaweed a day. The sargassum 'disfigures our coasts, prevents swimming and makes life impossible for local residents', the French prime minister, François Bayrou, recently told reporters. But Comito said such vessels were 'massively expensive' and not a popular option, noting that another option – using heavy equipment – is labor-intensive. 'You have to be careful because there could be sea turtle eggs affected,' he said. 'It's not like you can go in there and massively rake and scrape the whole thing.' Some Caribbean islands struggle financially, so most of the cleanup is done by hotels, with some offering guests refunds or a free shuttle to unaffected beaches. Every year, the amount of sargassum expands in late spring, peaks around summer and starts to decline in the late fall or early winter, Barnes said. The new record is likely to be broken – experts said they expect even more sargassum for June.
