| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Sargassum | A type of seaweed that floats in large masses in the ocean and can wash up on beaches. |
| Quintana Roo | A state in Mexico’s Caribbean Yucatán Peninsula, home to major tourist cities like Cancún and Playa del Carmen. |
| Influx | The arrival of a large number of people or things at the same time. |
Authorities in Playa del Carmen have issued a red alert due to the overwhelming arrival of sargassum on the beaches of the Riviera Maya. This situation is part of an intense sargassum season affecting Quintana Roo, where 15 beaches have been marked as “red zones” because of the large quantities of seaweed. Satellite data indicates millions of metric tons are threatening the Caribbean shorelines.
This week alone, authorities have collected 25,000 metric tons of sargassum. Last year, 96,000 metric tons were gathered, and this year, officials are anticipating an increase of 25% to 30%. The National Laboratory of Earth Observation (NALOT) estimates that 40 million metric tons of sargassum will form in the Atlantic Ocean in 2023. Preparations are underway for managing up to 130,000 metric tons of this seaweed.
Efforts to combat the sargassum influx include collaboration among state authorities, business owners, and government representatives. The Navy has set up containment barriers along 90 kilometers of coastline since January. Local officials are also using handmade barriers from plastic bottles to prevent the seaweed from reaching the beaches. Despite these efforts, the sheer volume of sargassum complicates the situation.
Jorge Prado from NALOT noted that as sargassum decomposes, it can sink and bypass the barriers, leading to what is known as a “brown tide.” This phenomenon poses environmental and economic challenges beyond just affecting tourism. Sargassum can also absorb harmful substances like arsenic and mercury from the ocean, which makes it unsuitable for animal feed.
There are ongoing efforts to find alternative uses for sargassum, such as working with the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture to explore its potential as a raw material. However, removing the seaweed from beaches must be done with care to avoid contaminating aquifers or damaging the sand with mechanical removal.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Metric | Métrico |
| Satellite | Satélite |
| Ocean | Océano |
Time to discuss
- What are some potential environmental impacts of large sargassum blooms on local ecosystems?
- How might the tourism industry be affected by the presence of sargassum on beaches?
- What strategies could be used to manage or utilize sargassum effectively?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph
- Explain why containment barriers might be ineffective against sargassum blooms.
- Discuss the potential uses of sargassum and how it could benefit the economy if properly utilized.
