Massive Seaweed Blooms Threaten Florida, Caribbean Coasts And Health

A sprawling proliferation of *Sargassum*, a distinctive brownish aquatic flora, is currently generating noteworthy concerns across coastal regions of Florida and the Caribbean. This adrift vegetation, a form of algae, drifts across the oceanic expanse in substantial, island-like aggregations, differing from rooted varieties like kelp.

It serves as a vital sustenance and transient dwelling for a diverse assortment of maritime fauna, encompassing various piscine species, chelonians, avian --- of the sea, crustaceans, and diminutive decapodians. Certain creatures, notably the sargassum fish, exhibit a remarkable adaptation, dwelling their entire existence amidst the buoyant bladders of the *Sargassum*. This floating ecosystem functions as a crucial breeding ground for economically valued fishes, including dorado, trevallies... and amberjacks.

The decomposition of beached *Sargassum* presents a particular dilemma. This process yields hydrogen sulfide, a noxious vapor reminiscent of spoiled ova. While exposure to this emanation in open, airy locales is generally innocuous, the accumulation of the gas within confined areas can pose a peril. Authorities in St. John's County, Florida, "caution that the compound can provoke discomfort to the ocular orbs," "nasal passages.".. and pharynx.

Source: Found here

Sargassum is a genus of large brown seaweed . As a seaweed, it is also a type of algae. It floats along the ocean in island-like masses and does not attach to the seafloor the way that kelp does.  Importantly, Sargassum provides food and a floating habitat for several marine species including various fishes, sea turtles, marine birds, crabs, and shrimp. Some animals, like the sargassum fish will spend their whole lives around Sargassum's gas-filled floats and the seaweed is a nursery area for some commercially important fishes, including mahi mahi, jacks, and amberjacks.