Yucatán Braces for Rising Sargassum Threat, Experts Warn

Mérida, Yucatán — Sargassum, a phenomenon primarily associated with the Mexican Caribbean coast, could begin arriving more frequently on the northern beaches of Yucatán, according to Dr. Raúl Tapia Tussel, a lead researcher at the Scientific Research Center of Yucatán (CICY).

During an interview, Tapia Tussel explained that while the peninsula has historically received benthic sargassum—a brown species that degrades easily—climate change has led to the gradual arrival of new floating varieties such as Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans. These species have severely affected Quintana Roo and other Caribbean regions.

"It is already beginning to arrive in the upper part of the peninsula, near El Cuyo, and at any moment, it could reach Progreso," Tapia Tussel warned. "The problem isn’t just its presence, but how it’s managed. If collected and disposed of improperly, it could contaminate the groundwater due to the heavy metals absorbed by the biomass."

Heavy Metals and Environmental Risks

Tapia Tussel emphasized that sargassum acts like a sponge, absorbing pollutants as it travels through industrial zones, particularly near mining regions in Colombia and Venezuela. "Traceability is crucial. It’s not enough to transform sargassum into a product; we must know where the metals it contains end up," he stated.

In Yucatán, some entrepreneurs are already exploring ways to repurpose sargassum, such as manufacturing fire starters for charcoal. Additionally, CICY is researching its integration with plastic materials to create composite products like plastic lumber, which could simultaneously address plastic and organic waste challenges.

Offshore Collection Recommended

To mitigate the impact on beaches, Tapia Tussel recommends collecting sargassum offshore, where processing is easier and environmental disruption is minimized. Although Gulf currents have historically prevented direct arrivals in Yucatán, shifting climate and ocean patterns could alter this dynamic.

"The risk exists, and it’s essential to be prepared—not just to collect sargassum but to transform it without transferring the problem elsewhere," he concluded.