Researchers Identify a 44-Billion-Pound Living Belt Choking the Atlantic

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is a massive stretch of floating seaweed spanning thousands of miles from West Africa to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. While Sargassum provides vital habitat in moderation, excessive blooms—driven by changing ocean currents, warming waters, and nutrient runoff—are overwhelming coastlines, harming tourism, wildlife, and local economies. Scientists monitor this phenomenon from space, noting that it’s caused by a complex mix of natural and human-driven factors. The Sargassum Belt is a unique, growing challenge for Atlantic coastal communities.