Yucatan Coast Braces for Sargassum Onslaught

Every year, the arrival of sargassum on the coasts of Yucatan raises concerns due to its potential environmental and economic impact. The seaweed could harm tourism and other industries that rely on the beaches. According to Dr. Rosa Maria Leal Bautista, a researcher at the Scientific Research Center of Yucatan (CICY), this year is expected to see a significant influx of sargassum due to the effects of the "La Niña" phenomenon. However, the exact volume remains uncertain.

The sargassum that reaches Yucatan is primarily benthic, meaning it moves through the marine depths. This differs from the pelagic sargassum that affects the Caribbean, which floats on the surface. Dr. Leal Bautista, who has conducted extensive research on sargassum, explained that the sargassum affecting Yucatan originates from different sources than that in the Caribbean.

In the Caribbean, containment barriers and sargassum boats are used to collect the seaweed, but these measures are insufficient to address the full scope of the problem. Large volumes continue to reach the coasts, impacting many people and industries that rely on coastal activities. Dr. Leal Bautista indicated that efforts are underway to utilize sargassum in industrial processes, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, energy generation, soil improvement, and biofuel production.

The economic impact of sargassum primarily affects communities reliant on tourism and fishing. Despite the negative impacts of large quantities, sargassum forms part of an ecosystem that provides a habitat for various marine species. As for its potential impact on groundwater, Dr. Leal Bautista stated that pollution from septic tanks is a greater concern in Yucatan than sargassum.

She encouraged coastal communities to explore potential uses for sargassum and seek advice from research centers. Some communities may be interested in utilizing the benthic sargassum and could benefit from existing research evaluations.