Tens of thousands of tons of horse tail algae swallowed the beaches of Mexico

Reporters in Mexico reported that on August 3, the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) warned of the proliferation of Sargasso algae that stretches 480km along Mexican Caribbean beaches , with moderate density. Over 200 tons / km will cause an environmental disaster and a serious threat to the marine ecosystem.

According to the study of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), starting in 2011, horse-tail algae thrive along the coast in the easternmost states of the country, especially in Quintana Roo, causing a change The change of ecosystems causes the blue of the sea to disappear, destroying coral reefs.

Every year, on the coasts of Quintana Roo, the environmental agency must collect up to 96,000 tons of algae to return the beaches to the people.

Horsetail algae are causing an ecological disaster for the Mexican coast.(Source: reefcentral.com).

According to expert Van Tussenbroek, in addition to salvage algae, local authorities need to coordinate the authorities to find solutions to prevent encroachment of algae from where they are located next to Bermuda Island and a sea area. New horse tail algae form.

Marine research agency statistics show that the amount of horse tail algae following the currents flowing into the Caribbean coast of Mexico this year has increased 4 times compared to 2015.

In addition to environmental factors, horse tail algae also directly affect the economic life of local people, especially in the field of tourism.

The amount of algae too large when picked up will decompose (due to inadequate transport to the place of destruction) causing unpleasant odors to the people and tourists.

Many hotels spend up to $ 6,000 a week cleaning their beach area to keep tourists.

Sargasso algae, also known as horsetail algae, are a type of seaweed. Normally, algae have roots, grow in interstitial rocks at the bottom of the sea. However, the Atlantic ponytail is different, without roots, the whole body is like a soft sponge, floating in the sea.

In the East of the Bermuda Triangle, located at 20-40 degrees north latitude, 35-75 degrees west, there is an elliptical sea about 4.5 million square kilometers, filled with horse-tail algae. So it is called the Sea of ​​Ponytail - Sargasso.