This has happened every year for thousands of years, with tons of seaweed called sargassum washing ashore on Central Florida beaches. But this year the sargassum algae bloom is huge, the biggest ever seen for this time of year. Using satellite imagery, scientists say it stretches 5,000 miles. “There’s seaweed that grows in the mid-Atlantic, and then there’s seaweed that comes ashore,” said Dr. Kevin Johnson of Florida Tech’s Department of Marine Sciences. “One doesn’t automatically equate to the other.” An important factor for those on Central Florida’s beaches is easterly winds. It’s the engine that could bring more sargassum to our shores than ever before. There was a record set in 2018 and this year could rival that. Scientists point to more nutrients fueling bloom growth. They may come from the bottom of the ocean, but also from human impact along the Amazon and forest fires in Africa. “Fortunately, sargassum is not like some of our red tides, which produce an aerosolized organic toxin. But while it rots, it stinks,” Johnson said. When sargassum decomposes, it smells like rotten eggs. Although it can be unpleasant, it is not harmful outdoors on the beach. But what it does, along with the mess on the sand, makes it a challenge for beachgoers and tourists. One thing to keep in mind is that there are many small marine animals living in the algae that can cause skin irritation and itching. If you see light colored sargassum it means it is fresh and these animals are probably still there. “We’re calling it ‘Seaweed-ageddon’ because of the size and scope of this,” said Space Coast Tourism Office Executive Director Peter Kranis. Although it is not yet guaranteed to make landfall on the coast of Central Florida, preparations are being discussed. “We haven’t seen it hit as bad here as it has in other areas,” Kranis said. “But what other areas have done is literally truck it off the beach with equipment to put it on dump trucks, take it off the beach.” So there’s an “if” it will come ashore, but also “when”. Forecasts range from a month or two into the summer. So for now, authorities are keeping a close eye on him. Top headlines: Orlando International Airport sets new record for busiest day in history. Tuition-free Bezos Academy opens in Orlando.
It’s been happening every year for thousands of years—tons of seaweed called sargassum wash ashore on Central Florida beaches.
But this year’s bloom of sargassum algae is huge, the largest ever seen for this time of year. Using satellite imagery, scientists say it stretches 5,000 miles.
“There’s algae that grows in the mid-Atlantic, and there’s algae that wash ashore,” said Dr. Kevin Johnson of Florida Tech’s Department of Marine Sciences. “One does not automatically equate to the other.”
An important factor for those on Central Florida beaches are easterly winds. It’s the engine that could bring more sargassum to our shores than ever before.
There was a record set in 2018 and this year could rival that.
Scientists point to more nutrients fueling bloom growth. They may come from the ocean floor, but also from human impact along the Amazon and forest fires in Africa.
“Fortunately, sargassum is not like some of our red tides, which produce an aerosolized organic toxin. But while it rots, it stinks,” Johnson said.
When sargassum decomposes, it smells like rotten eggs. Although it can be unpleasant, it is not harmful outdoors on the beach. But what it does, along with the mess on the sand, makes it a challenge for beachgoers and tourists.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are many small marine animals living in the seaweed that can cause skin irritation and itching. If you see a light colored sargassum, it means it is fresh and these animals are probably still there.
“We’re calling it ‘Seaweed-ageddon’ because of the size and scope of this,” said Space Coast Tourism Office Executive Director Peter Kranis.
Although it is not yet guaranteed to make landfall on the coast of Central Florida, preparations are being discussed.
“We haven’t seen it hit as bad here as it has in other areas,” Kranis said. “But what other districts have done is literally truck it off the beach with equipment to put it on dump trucks, taking it off the beach.”
So there’s an “if” it will come ashore, but also a “when.” Forecasts range from a month or two into the summer. So for now, authorities are keeping a close eye on him.
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