A fear of algae in the USA. Scientists at the University of Florida reported yesterday, March 19, that a massive algae mass was heading towards the Florida coast and the Gulf of Mexico. The swarm appears to have formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is part of a species of algae called “Sagrasso”. Scientists have been watching the coastal bloom of this species since 2011, but the latter phenomenon appears to be the largest ever recorded, covering an area of 8,000 km from the African coast to the Gulf of Mexico. There are concerns about the tourist season.
It is currently moving west and will cross from the Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico in the summer, according to Brian Lapointe, a researcher at the University of Florida Oceanographic Institution. Seaweed is expected to literally invade Florida’s beaches in July. Algal bloom began earlier this year and doubled between December and January, Lapointe said. “This is a completely new oceanographic phenomenon,” he added, noting that they are still determined to find a solution that will save the season. As such, there are fears for tourism on the Caribbean and American coasts, as the accumulation of the plant could reach depths of up to two meters, ruining tourists’ experience on the idyllic beaches of these places.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
