Resilient R & D Through Sargassum

What is Sargassum? Where is it Located?

Sargassum is a large brown seaweed that is a type of algae found in the ocean. It is made up of leafy appendages with berry-like structures. The berry-like structures are called pneumatocysts and are primarily filled with oxygen. The pneumatocysts are part of the algae that makes sargassum float in a mass and never attach to the seafloor.1

Marine life such as turtles feed off the pneumatocysts for nutrients. Sargassum is quite harmless while in the ocean. However, once it reaches the shore and lands on the beach it is where problems can occur. Once the brown seaweed reaches a beach shoreline it will begin to dry and decompose. As it decomposes it will produce a sulfuric odor. During this process is when sargassum emits gases that are harmful to humans. According to the University of South Florida there are over 24.2 million tons of sargassum which is equivalent to about 17 million cars.2

Sargassum can be found primarily in the Sargasso Sea. This includes the Atlantic Ocean stretching from the Northern Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. Furthermore, it is also found in the Gulf of Mexico where sargassum is washed up on the shores of Mexico, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama. As well, sargassum can be found washed up on the West African coast, the Antilles, Central America, and Northern South America.

The Sargasso Sea is named after sargassum due to the large amount that can be found. In addition, it is the only sea without a land boundary. It is the only sea that is defined by the ocean current. The Sargasso Sea was feared by many sailors due to the stories that were told about sargassum. The fear was that the algae was hiding the coral reefs because it was difficult to see through the ocean.3 If the ships were to hit the coral reefs, it could sink the ships in the ocean.

Turtles use sargassum mats for their hatchlings as a food source.

The brown algae have many benefits to the aquatic ecosystem. Sargassum, in effect, is an important habitat and food source for much of the marine life. For example, humpback whales, tuna, and birds migrate through the Sargasso Sea and use it as a food source. Turtles use sargassum mats for their hatchlings to use as a food source and shelter. Furthermore, sargassum is an essential home for crab, shrimp, and other marine life including protecting endangered marine life.4 There are more than 100 species of invertebrates, 280 species of fish, and 23 species of seabirds.5

Economic Benefits of Sargassum6

• $500M Revenues from whale watching

• $100M Revenues from commercial fisheries

• $66M Revenues from commercial eel harvests

• $15M Revenues from Turtle Tourism in the Caribbean

• $.6M Revenues in Bermuda from recreational fishing

The indirect use of value of the Sargasso Sea is about $2.7B annually.