The more than 8,000 km long clump of seagrass on its way to the US and Mexico – krone.at reports – has now reached the first beaches. The smelly mass could spoil the season not only for swimmers.
A huge mass of brown algae is drifting towards the southeastern United States and the popular beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. In all, more than 6.1 million tons are moving from the central Atlantic to the Caribbean, warn oceanographers at the University of South Florida. The seaweed island is the largest in years, now stretching 8,047km from the coasts of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. For comparison: the distance from Vienna to New York is “only” 6800 km.
The first offshoots already cover beaches on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and beaches on the island of Key West at the southernmost tip of the US. Tourism is now the main concern. And rightly so: when the algae wash up and decay, hydrogen sulphide gas is released that smells like rotten eggs. Although the gas itself is not dangerous, it can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract.
Algae can contain arsenic or cadmium
Researchers also warn against consuming the algae or using it as a fertilizer. They can contain large amounts of heavy metals such as arsenic or cadmium.
Algae were already described by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century, but their distribution has increased enormously since 2011. The growth could be related to the discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus from rivers into the oceans.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
