We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sargassum Watch Warns of Incoming Seaweed
Summary
The Sargassum Watch System uses satellite data to track large seaweed mats in the Atlantic Ocean and provide early warnings of potential beach inundation events to coastal communities. While focused on seaweed tracking, this satellite monitoring infrastructure is also relevant to tracking the movement of floating marine debris including plastic.
The Sargassum Watch System processes satellite data and feeds results to a Web portal, giving decision makers timely information on seaweed location and warnings for potential beaching events.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Pelagic Sargassum as a Potential Vector for Microplastics into Coastal Ecosystems
This research assessed microplastics entrapped within pelagic Sargassum seaweed collected from the Mexican Caribbean coast. The study suggests that Sargassum mats act as vectors transporting microplastics from the open ocean to coastal ecosystems, amplifying plastic pollution in affected shoreline environments across more than 30 nations.
The Distribution, Habitat Characteristics, and Bioenergy Potential of Sargassum sp. in Indonesia
Researchers mapped the distribution of Sargassum, a brown seaweed, across Indonesia's coastal waters, identifying dozens of key growth sites from Sumatra to Papua. This algae holds potential as a bioenergy source and its mapping is also relevant to understanding how floating marine organisms interact with microplastic debris in tropical ocean environments.
Derivation and Evaluation of Satellite-Based Surface Current
This paper reviews methods for deriving ocean surface current data from geostationary satellites, which can track pollution spread and aid search-and-rescue operations. While not directly about microplastics, satellite current tracking is a key tool for modeling where plastic debris travels once it enters the ocean. Improved real-time current data could help identify accumulation zones for marine plastic pollution.
Turf-forming seaweeds as potential bioindicators of microplastic pollution in a southwestern estuary
Researchers found that turf-forming Gelidium seaweeds in an Argentine estuary trap and accumulate microplastics — particularly fibers — at concentrations posing a higher ecological risk than the surrounding water, including hazardous polyacrylonitrile polymer. Because Gelidium grows year-round and retains particles over time, it shows strong potential as a passive biomonitor for tracking synthetic fiber pollution in coastal ecosystems.
Spectral Discrimination of Pumice Rafts in Optical MSI Imagery
Remote sensing using multispectral satellite imagery was used to detect and track pumice rafts in the ocean, demonstrating a method that could also help monitor floating plastic debris distribution at sea.