Seasonal variation in morphotype composition of pelagic Sargassum influx events is linked to oceanic origin.

ABSTRACT: The recent proliferation of pelagic Sargassum spp. in the Tropical Atlantic causes major ecological and socioeconomic impacts to the wider Caribbean when it washes ashore, with regional fisheries and tourism industries particularly affected. The Caribbean influxes have been tracked to a new bloom region known as the North Equatorial Recirculation Region (NERR) encompassing the area between the South Equatorial Current and the North Equatorial Counter Current and extending from Africa to South America. The vast biomass of Sargassum presents serious problems when it washes ashore but also represents significant commercial opportunities, especially with biofuel and fertilizer. The floating Sargassum mats are themselves diverse ecosystems that vary both in their biodiversity and biochemical at

SUBMITTER: Alleyne KST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9992440 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature