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Scientists monitoring large seaweed mass that could be heading for Florida

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Published  January 27, 2025 8:31pm EST
Environment
FOX 13 News

Experts: 2025 will likely be 'major' seaweed year

Lloyd Sowers reports.

The Brief

    • Satellite images have spotted large amounts of Sargassum built in the ocean.
    • Scientists say some accumulation of Sargassum is beneficial to sea life, but too much can cause effects similar to a red tide.
    • Scientists issue warnings to beachgoers about the effects of Sargassum.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Satellite images show the unusually large mat of seagrass called Sargassum that USF scientists in St. Petersburg are tracking by satellite in the ocean. 

Why you should care:

It's moving from off Africa in the general direction of Florida. In normal amounts, this Sargassum is beneficial to all kinds of sea life, but this mass of seaweed is unusually large.

"As with many things too much of a good thing can be a bad thing," said Dennis McGillicuddy, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. "As you refer to these inundations of Sargassum seaweed, they can be harmful to the coastal ecosystem and as well as impacts on human health." 

Seagrass accumulated on the beach.

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As it decomposes on the beach, it can cause breathing problems for some, as does Red Tide. Although it's a different organism than Red Tide, scientists believe the big Sargassum mat is fueled by nutrients, possibly man-made nutrients like fertilizer and runoff. 

What they're saying:

Scientists said it could have a similar impact as Red Tide on our beaches if it reaches them.

"The USF people are going to have their finger on this," said McGillicuddy. "We still don't know if the full bloom potential is going to be realized by the time it gets to the State of Florida, but this is a heads-up that it could be coming." 

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Scientists said the Sargassum seaweed contains Arsenic, and that limits its use for things like fertilizer and feedstock.

What's next:

If the massive Sargassum mat holds together and reaches our beaches, it would most likely be next spring and summer, something else to watch out for, in addition to hurricanes and Red Tide.

The Source: FOX 13 Lloyd Sowers collected the information in this story.

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