Page 5 - Brian Lapointe News Today

Most people were already aware of the 5,000-mile long sargassum bloom making its way toward Florida — and possibly Alabama — beaches, but thanks to a new study, there’s more to be concerned about than just the stench which accompanies the bloom.

A mixture of sargassum, Vibrio bacteria and plastic debris creates a significant health risk to humans.

It is now having a moment. >> weve never seen so much sargassum early in the season, and so we are expecting this could be a record year. >> reporter: in the ocean, the seaweed is a critical sanctuary for marine life. >> i like to call it a fish factory. it provides habitat and nutrition for fish. >> reporter: but out of the water it can decay and rot creating an unpleasant smell for beachgoers. satellite imagery showing its presence across the hemisphere. the question now, why is it growing so ...

By Thomas Leffler To the disappointment of Floridians and vacationers alike, a record-breaking giant blob of smelly and annoying sargassum seaweed has reached the shores of the Sunshine State after traveling for weeks over the open sea. Piles of sargassum – an accumulation of large brown algae that floats in mass quantities – can stretch

From Montego Bay to Miami, sargassum is leaving stinky brown carpets over what was once prime tourist sand. But whether it gets ignored or removed, it comes with high health and environmental risks.

From Montego Bay to Miami, sargassum is leaving stinky brown carpets over what was once prime tourist sand. But whether it gets ignored or removed, it comes with high health and environmental risks.

From Montego Bay to Miami, sargassum is leaving stinky brown carpets over what was once prime tourist sand. But whether it gets ignored or removed, it comes with high health and environmental risks.

The enormous seaweed belt continues to grow and head westward, according to satellite imagery

Large rotting piles of sargassum — a specific type of seaweed — could form on beaches along the Atlantic Ocean over the coming months.

The bloom of seaweed is estimated to be more than 10 million tons, and experts are concerned about potential environmental and health impacts.