Giant carpet of algae off the coast of Florida

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American media already sounded the alarm weeks ago. Scientists had recorded more than 13 million tons of brown algae floating in the Atlantic Ocean – a record for the month of March. At about 8,000 kilometers, the network is twice as wide as the entire United States and is already considered the largest accumulation of algae in history.

The announced disaster has long since begun. For weeks, algae have been washing up en masse on beaches in the US state of Florida and also in Mexico. This causes problems for local tourism and tourists can no longer enjoy their holiday on the beach.

health hazard

Which probably stinks especially to coastal residents and tourists: When the algae rot, they release ammonia and hydrogen sulfide and give off a disgusting stench. Hydrogen sulfide smells like rotten eggs and is irritating to the eyes, nose and throat.

It can also promote headaches, memory problems, fatigue and balance disorders. Residents of Florida’s southwest coast have been complaining of burning eyes and difficulty breathing in recent weeks.

Not only that, when the algae wash up and begin to decompose, they degrade water quality and pollute beaches.

What is the cause of the algae cloud?

But it gets much worse: The density of brown algae, called sargassum, usually peaks in June or July.

The future does not bode well either. As early as 2019, researchers reported an increase in algae carpets and warned of a “new normal” in an article appearing in the journal “Science.” Time will tell if a similar algal catastrophe threatens the American coasts to the south every summer.

Climate change is likely the cause of the algal behemoth. Some also see nutrient pollution as a possible cause. Agricultural runoff and sewage can bring nutrients into the ocean and encourage the rapid growth of algae.

But what bothers some is a joy to others. Many animals in the sea should like the huge algal cloud. Because: It serves as a shelter for fish, crabs and endangered sea turtles, as the “New York Times” writes.

Source: Blick