Over the last few years, beachgoers have been faced with the awful sights and smell of stinking seaweed washing up on the shorelines. Conditions have been perfect for the massive growth of Sargassum, the aquatic vegetation that continues to pile up on beaches throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The staffs at resorts and hotels work tirelessly to keep their beaches clean and attractive for guests. Many rely on using heavy equipment to clear the beaches daily of the Sargassum piling up on the sand. The task is required to be performed continuously when large mats of the seaweed arrive.
Sargassum isn’t all bad. Offshore, it can provide excellent habitat for sea turtles, crabs, fish, and other sea creatures. Onshore, it’s a different story. No one likes the feel of seaweed against their bodies while trying to enjoy the ocean. As Sargassum piles up on the beach, it creates a handful of problems. In addition to being unsightly, it also begins to decay onshore. As it rots, it attracts insects and produces hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is the same gas that gives rotten eggs their sulfurous smell and can cause breathing problems for beachgoers and boaters with asthma. Scientists predict that the current trend of massive Sargassum floats to continue for the foreseeable future. The Sargassum growth is tentatively linked to rising levels of nutrients in the seawater, including nitrogen and phosphorus.
