Scientists at the University of South Florida found that changes in atmospheric conditions since 2009 have caused toxic sargassum blooms in the Atlantic. Initially attributed to nutrient runoff from rivers, the study proposes that vertical mixing in the ocean and altered wind patterns brought deeper nutrients to the surface. This phenomenon has resulted in significant sargassum accumulation along Caribbean beaches, affecting marine life, human health, and tourism. The research used computer modeling to demonstrate how these factors contribute to the expansive sargassum belt.
The primary source of nutrients for the massive sargassum blooms is the seasonal phenomenon of vertical mixing, not just nutrient runoff from rivers.
Changes in atmospheric pressure and circulation patterns have acted as a tipping point, pushing more sargassum into warmer waters where it proliferates.
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