In July 2021, the arrival of algae on the beaches of the Caribbean coast of Mexico will become even more intense, and the total amount of algae in 2021 will exceed the record volumes of 2018. This forecast was made by Mexican ecologists, based on satellite images of the US National Aeronautics Administration (NASA).
Large accumulations of Sargassum algae are clearly visible from satellites. They are located in the Atlantic Ocean opposite the coast of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. In the coming days, these accumulations will come close to the shore, and algae will begin to appear intensively in the south of the state, in the Xkalak and Sian Ka'an areas, along the entire coast from Tulum to Playa del Carmen, in Puerto Morelos and on the southern and southeastern coast of Cozumel.
Among these clusters it is possible to distinguish two large groups. The first, with a volume of 280-300 tons of algae, will soon appear south of Tulum, the second, with a volume of 12-16 thousand tons, will arrive in the very south of the state, southeast of Mahahual. Climatic conditions will contribute to the intensive arrival of algae on the beaches. Prevailing surface currents drive the algae south of the state at speeds of 0.55 to 0.7 meters per second, while other, more intense currents, at speeds of 0.8 to 1 meter per second, carry the algae along the coast north toward Cancun.
At the moment, almost all the beaches of the continental Caribbean coast of Mexico are contaminated to one degree or another with algae. According to daily beach monitoring data from the environmental organization Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo as of July 3, out of 80 beaches on the coast, excessive accumulation of Sargassum algae was noted on 42 beaches, moderate amounts of algae were observed on 6 beaches, and on 14 beaches — low. There are 18 algae-free beaches, all of which are located on the inland coasts of Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.
On the continental coast, Cancun traditionally has the least amount of algae, with the most — in the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The popular beaches in Tulum and Akumal are simply saturated with algae. Hotels are complaining about booking cancellations, guests of the state — because of the unpleasant smell and the fact that it is forbidden to enter the sea.
Work crews can't keep up with the amount of algae washing up on beaches, and municipal leaders admit it. Next week, another 2 kilometers of anti-algae barriers are planned to be installed along the coast. But this doesn't solve the problem. The already installed barriers are overcrowded, they are being carried away under the pressure of the accumulated mass of algae, and it seems that this is just the beginning. Special sargasser boats that collect algae in the sea do not have time to transport the collected algae away from the shore before the barriers fill up again. Over the last three days of June, more than 2 thousand tons of sargassum seaweed arrived on the coast of Quintana Roo, and every day from 50 to 90 tons are collected from the public beaches of the 2-kilometer-long municipality of Puerto Morelos alone. If the algae is not removed in time, it begins to decompose, emitting an unpleasant odor and turning the coastal waters brown.
Scientists do not yet have the right to say when this natural disaster will end. Apparently the algae will continue to arrive throughout the summer months and into early fall. This is evidenced by the continued intensive development of algae in the South Atlantic Ocean.
đŽ#EnCambioQuintanaRoođ°#EntĂ©rate
Malas noticias para los vacacionistas, el exceso de#sargazoen Quintana Roo continuarĂĄ todo julio, segĂșn pronĂłsticos de la SecretarĂa de Marinapic.twitter.com/bhwlPeD18m— En Cambio Diario Quintana Roo (@EnCambioDiario)July 3, 2021
The abnormal development of Sargassum algae in the South Atlantic is believed to be associated with global warming, excessive deforestation and mangroves on the west coast of Africa, and in addition to the excessive use of agrochemicals in the Amazon region. Having begun to develop between the coasts of Africa and Brazil, the algae travel north across the Atlantic, and their mass is constantly increasing. Once they reach the Antilles, the algae pollutes the beaches of almost all Caribbean countries and American Florida.
The problem of seasonal algae on the beaches of Cancun and the Riviera Maya will become acute in 2015. In 2018-2019, algae became a real natural disaster, threatening regional tourism. The Mexican government allocated almost $1 billion a year to combat them, and the Navy was appointed responsible for collecting algae at sea. Algae barriers have been placed along many beaches along the Caribbean coast, and municipal beach cleanup staff have been significantly increased.