Sargassum’s Hidden Health Risks Revealed

CANCÚN, QRoo — A documentary titled "Sargasso," presented this past Friday at the National Library of the Chronicle in Cancún, has revealed that the macroalgae also causes neurological and respiratory damage, according to the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology.

Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) released the documentary, which exposes the problem of massive sargassum influxes on the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean, with the aim of finding solutions to address it. The material, sponsored by UNAM, was directed by Pedro Sierra, who highlighted the economic aspect, noting that at least one and a half million dollars are invested to collect each kilometer of the macroalgae.

The work makes the visual problem affecting beaches and tourists evident; it also shows the health consequences, such as neurological and respiratory damage due to heavy metals, gases, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide.

Meanwhile, Rosa Elisa Rodríguez Martínez, a researcher at the UNAM institute based in Puerto Morelos, stated that researchers and business owners have joined forces in search of a solution to the problem. She added that Caribbean islands are also looking for ways to curb the influx.

Fuel Initiative

Although it is believed that the influxes are due to human activity, global warming, pollution, and even dust from the Sahara, there is no clear hypothesis, necessitating constant monitoring platforms, according to the researchers.

Another attendee, Maricarmen García Rivas, Director of Conservation for the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), said, "With the high amounts of macroalgae, the reefs are losing their coral coverage, the waters are no longer crystal clear."

She added that if a protocol is followed with fishermen, managers, and the three levels of government, a Sargassum Coordination body could be created in Quintana Roo.

Meanwhile, the government of Claudia Sheinbaum is evaluating producing sustainable fuel for airlines with sargassum, for which they will create a multinational company with countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

For his part, José Samaniego Leyva, Undersecretary of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), stated that this would allow compliance with the mandate to decarbonize flights starting in 2027.