The Herman Trend Alert
March 22, 2023
Seaweed Blooms Threatening Beaches
Not only are warming ocean temperatures creating increasing numbers of worse storms, but they are also providing the right environment for a certain kind of seaweed to thrive. As I write this Alert, there is a massive blob of a type of seaweed called sargassum headed for the East Coast of Florida.
What is Happening?
While there is a whole "sea" of sargassum in the Atlantic Ocean, these enormous blooms have been showing up on Caribbean beaches, clogging water arteries, and creating the need for a huge cleanup effort.
Beyond What We Have Ever Seen Before
Over the past decade and more, seasonal sargassum blooms have grown very quickly in the tropical Atlantic. This year's raft of brown-colored seaweed is already so large it can be seen from space. Spanning about twice the width of the entire United States, roughly 5,000 miles, this thick blanket of sargassum floats between the Gulf of Mexico and the shores of West Africa. And it is now headed for the coast of Florida----just in time for Spring Break. Scientists believe this bloom is one of the largest on record and likely to be a sizeable problem.
An Opportunity and a Problem for the Ecosystem
When found in open water, these vast clusters of seaweed, are typically benign and can even have advantages, such as providing shelter for certain species of fish and crustaceans, as well as sequestering carbon dioxide. The giant mounds of sargassum are more than a nuisance and an eyesore; as it rots, the seaweed can choke corals, wreak havoc on coastal ecosystems, diminish water and even affect air quality. Now, ocean currents are pushing the sargassum west, causing hundreds of tons of seaweed to wash up on beaches across the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Why this is Happening
By investigating the factors driving this dramatic growth in sargassum, scientists, have discovered that human activities and climate change are seeding rivers that flow into the Atlantic with nitrogen and other nutrients. That depositing then results in massive algae and seaweed production.
Almost Breaking Records
Scientists say this bloom is one of the largest on record, promoting fears that seaweed invasions of beaches in the coming weeks and months could be particularly severe.
More than an Annoyance and an Eyesore
One of the researchers from the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science characterized the bloom as "more than a nuisance and an eyesore." The beaches in Key West are already being overwhelmed with algae, while parts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, are preparing for up to three feet of sargassum buildup in the coming days.
Health and Economic Hazards
Giant mounds of sargassum are can block intake valves for power plants or desalination plants, marinas can get completely overwhelmed, and some boats can't navigate through it. Last summer, high quantities of sargassum caused water shortages on St. Croix. But that is only the beginning. As the seaweed rots, it releases hydrogen sulfide, which can cause respiratory problems for tourists and residents who are nearby. On top of all that mess, there are the economic challenges. Following the big 2018 blooms, doctors in Martinique and Guadeloupe reported thousands of people with breathing complications visiting clinics as a result of breathing the air that came from these rotting piles of sargassum. Finally, the Sargassum invasions can reduce tourism, and the removing hundreds of tons of seaweed from beaches is costly.
What's Next for Atlantic Beaches?
The future of Atlantic seaweed blooms is uncertain, as the factors that contribute to their growth and distribution are complex and multifaceted. While some studies suggest that rising sea temperatures and nutrient pollution may increase the frequency and intensity of blooms, other research indicates that ocean acidification and changes in ocean currents could have negative impacts on seaweed growth. In addition, human activities including coastal development and overfishing could also have an impact on the health and resilience of seaweed populations. Ongoing research and monitoring of seaweed blooms will be essential to better understand and manage these important marine ecosystems in the years to come.
Next Week's Herman Trend Alert: A Nail-Painting Robot Coming to a Store Near You
The other day I received an email from the XpresSpa featuring their new Clockwork robot. That sent me on a search to discover more about where I could experience the robot. Find out where you can experience this digital future today on your next trip. See you next week.
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