The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) has reported an unprecedented collection of 36,816,786 tons of sargassum along the coast of Quintana Roo from January 26, 2022, to the present. The latest data from the Coastal Marine Information and Analysis System (Sinar) indicates that Tulum leads with 14,988,346 tons, followed by Cozumel with 11,486.71 tons, and Cancún at 6,840.71 tons.
Other affected areas include Playa del Carmen with 1,399.44 tons, Othón P. Blanco with 1,109.15 tons, Puerto Morelos with 936.84 tons, Isla Mujeres with 52.77 tons, and Felipe Carrillo Puerto with 2.75 tons. Conversely, Bacalar, José María Morelos, and Lázaro Cárdenas reported no sargassum accumulation.
Rosa E. Rodríguez Martínez, a researcher at the Reef Systems Unit of the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology (UNAM), highlighted the negative consequences of sargassum decomposition. When present in large quantities, it produces hydrogen sulfide, which can cause nausea, watery eyes, headaches, and sleep disturbances in humans. Massive accumulation also degrades beach quality, impact tourism, and disrupt fishing activities.
While there is no immediate significant health risk to residents or tourists, Rodríguez Martínez advised limiting exposure for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children, elderly individuals, and those with asthma or heart conditions. However, the long-term effects of low-level hydrogen sulfide exposure remain uncertain.
This phenomenon also harms marine ecosystems. Research by Eduardo Gabriel Torres Conde, from UNAM’s Puerto Morelos campus, explained that decomposing sargassum creates “sargassum brown tides.” These tides deteriorate water quality and have led to the destruction of seagrass beds in coastal regions. Torres Conde noted that natural recolonization of these seagrass beds could take decades, further hindered by sediment movement and wave energy.
In response to the forecasted significant influx of sargassum this year, the Federal Maritime Land Zone Directorate (Zofemat) in Playa del Carmen has announced plans to recruit additional personnel to enhance cleanup efforts.
Source: Reportur
