Nice Atlantic Sargassum Belt: Scientists are alarmed by a placing phenomenon in earth’s oceans. A brown algae belt stretches almost 8,850 km from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Named the Nice Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB), it weighs an estimated 37.5 million tons and is seen even from house.
The belt threatens each marine ecosystems and human life. Its first main look occurred in 2011. Since then, its dimension has doubled yearly. Its width now rivals the North American continent.
What Is Sargassum; Why Is It Harmful?
Sargassum is floating seaweed as soon as confined to the Sargasso Sea. It offers pure habitat for small marine organisms and fish whereas drifting on the ocean floor. The issue emerged when it started increasing past conventional boundaries.
Heat and nutrient-rich waters now gas its speedy development. Extra nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, sewage and industrial discharge enter rivers and move into the ocean.
Scientific Warning
Analysis from the Florida Atlantic College’s Harbour Department Oceanographic Institute reveals nitrogen content material in Sargassum rose 55% between 1980 and 2020. The nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio elevated by 50%. The algae now grows sooner than ever.
The Amazon River contributes the biggest share of vitamins. Ocean currents such because the Gulf Stream and Loop Present carry the algae from the Atlantic to Mexico, forming a steady brown ribbon.
Influence On Marine Life
The Sargassum belt creates a significant risk to ocean life. Daylight can’t penetrate the place the algae accumulates, halting photosynthesis in coral reefs. Carbon sequestration by oceans additionally suffers.
Decomposition of Sargassum releases hydrogen sulfide, methane and different greenhouse gases, accelerating local weather change.
When the algae reaches coastlines, foul odors and poisonous gases pose well being dangers for close by populations.
Financial Results
Sargassum accumulation on coasts disrupts tourism and halts fishing operations. Cleansing the algae prices thousands and thousands of {dollars}. In 1991, Florida’s coast skilled such a large accumulation {that a} nuclear energy plant needed to briefly shut down. This demonstrates that Sargassum is not only seaweed, however a critical environmental and financial disaster.
Progress Circumstances
Rising ocean temperatures present a perfect setting for Sargassum development. Adjustments in wind patterns and ocean currents might enable it to unfold additional north.
If no motion is taken quickly, this ‘Sargassum Monster’ may engulf all the Caribbean and U.S. shoreline within the coming years.