Sargassum: a problem no one really understands yet

"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer) 01/03/2019 at 09:24 • Filed to: None

7

22

Those who don’t belive in climate change, don’t live near the Caribbean

sargassum is a type of seaweed that found its way to many Caribbean locations way back in 2011 when ocean currents started to change significantly and sea temperatures rose.

It is a very interesting seaweed because it’s practically useless to us, and removing it can be very bad for beaches and life around them. But not removing it can be really bad for beaches and life around them.

Sargassum has a high concentration of arsenic (which means it can’t be used as animal feed), and releases hydrogen sulfide as it decomposes; leaving a rotten egg smell in the beach. More so, while sargassum is a great environment for many species of fish, the closer it gets to shallow water it causes bigger issues for them . As Sargassum grows, it removes oxigen from water, leaving fish near and below it to die from hypoxia.

Once it reaches the beach, and begins decomposing, Sargassum also causes issues for sea turtles, as nesting becomes increasingly difficult when crossing the weed. It was also linked to several cases of asthma attacks in other countries, since, you know... it releases hydrogen sulfide.

Municipalities have been slow, and dumb to react, most of them use heavy machinery or try to retrieve it while its still in the water, both ideas are discarded by biologists and oceanographers as both pose dangers to sealife and the quality of beaches. They say the only way to remove it without casuing damage is to use a shovel and a wheelbarrow.

But it’s not very practical, just in Quintana Roo, 1,300 tons of the stuff are removed every day, and the problem continues as to what to do once it’s removed. Some municipalities used to burry it under the beach as rumor had it that sargassum became sand after decomposing. 

Many see potential as a biomass fuel, but the energy content is not exactly high, sargassum contains around 2200kcals pero kilo, and burning it as a biomass could be very damaging because of the contents of the weed.

More research needs to go into it, but as of now little has been done to combat it.

Svend > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2019 at 09:57

6

Those who don’t believe in climate change, don’t live in the real world.

FTFY. 

Ash78, voting early and often > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2019 at 10:13

2

I believe in climate change.

I don’t believe in the Sargasso Sea , however. Seriously, scientists? Just a random part of an existing ocean. You don’t just get to claim that as something new. My neighborhood swimming pool is now known as “The Urinoco River” because it’s 12% urine by volume.

Maybe Enya could sing a song about it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2019 at 10:20

0

“ 1,300 tons ... every day”

Holy crap! 

Aremmes > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2019 at 10:22

1

This past summer I got to see huge, miles-long mats of sargassum floating in the Caribbean. This was not a common thing just 20 years ago.

FWIW, decomposing sargassum releases hydrogen sulfide only in oxygen-deprived conditions where anaerobic b acteria take over. If pulled out of the water and allowed to dry, sargassum will not smell.

DipodomysDeserti > Ash78, voting early and often 01/03/2019 at 10:23

2

Yes, a random part of the ocean that people have documented as being a distinct part of the ocean for over 2k years. Damn those new  Carthaginian scientists for hipstering up our oceans!

Ash78, voting early and often > DipodomysDeserti 01/03/2019 at 10:25

3

I will happily debate all Cathaginians on this topic. They NEVER show up. Cowards.

DipodomysDeserti > Svend 01/03/2019 at 10:27

1

I can see you’ve visited America! Where science isn’t real, because a  magical nordic looking Palestinian will save us from everything, even ourselves.

Spanfeller is a twat > Aremmes 01/03/2019 at 10:35

0

I think the issue is that it piles up, even once on the beach .

I instigated a bit more, and Tulum for instance, just picks it up and drops it on empty lots. 

Svend > DipodomysDeserti 01/03/2019 at 10:45

0

Lol. 

I’ve never visited no. I’d like to but also scared as hell of doing so.

I fear I will experience Paris Syndrome, though it may be different and I may be experiencing Mean World Syndrome in regards to America.

DipodomysDeserti > Svend 01/03/2019 at 11:33

2

Places like NYC are much nicer than they used to be, but less fun (more Disneyland like). If you ever visit the desert, I’ll show you some places that have always made this place great. The scorpions and rattlesnakes are nice, if misunderstood.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2019 at 11:49

0

Is there anything that eats sargassum?

Spanfeller is a twat > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2019 at 12:37

0

My understanding is that some species in deeper waters do eat a bit of it but since there’s so many types, it’s hard to nail it down 

facw > Svend 01/03/2019 at 12:52

1

I’d like to but also scared as hell of doing so. 

Come on, there aren’t that many brush-filled automatic car washes! You could visit NYC and not see one!

facw > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2019 at 12:55

0

Maybe ocean acidification will kill it off (along with all the coral and fish)?

Spanfeller is a twat > facw 01/03/2019 at 13:00

0

On the contrary, Sargassum causes ocean acidification. 

Spanfeller is a twat > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/03/2019 at 13:12

1

Lots of shit, I agree. If you assume a 38% efficient burn, using one ton of Sargassum as biomass could power the average American home for a month.

But then again the emissions from such biomass are complicated to say the least. 

Svend > facw 01/03/2019 at 14:01

1

But many still use chamois leathers, clay after washing and then wax without polishing the damage done by the claying before waxing. Noooo. Lol. 

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2019 at 17:13

0

The trick is to find something tasty that likes to eat sargassum, then we start farming it.  Almost a bit like the Asian carp in the Mississippi.  Once people realized it was basically a free-for-all for turning fish into cat food/fertilizer/whatever, it’s become a booming industry.  The best kind of businesses are the ones that take unwanted things, and turn them into something that is wanted.  This sounds like an interesting opportunity, but it’s a matter of figuring out what to do with the stuff.

Spanfeller is a twat > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2019 at 18:50

0

It depends on the type, but Sargassum generally has a high amount of arsenic, which limits  most agricultural uses

LWsleds > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2019 at 19:56

0

Is there a way to kill the masses of it where it grows and end the nightmare? Thinking...round-up kills weeds but I suppose anything that would  kill sagassum would harm the ocean/fish. 

Spanfeller is a twat > LWsleds 01/03/2019 at 23:46

0

It has to be removed near or on the beach to avoid destroying wildlife!

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 17:16

1

No matter how you cook it, it still tastes like hot sargassum!