Nutrients Identified as Key Driver of Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt

A study published in Nature Communications has identified nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, as the driving force behind the proliferation of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB). The research found that Sargassum in the GASB has higher nutrient content compared to populations in its traditional Sargasso Sea habitat. The study suggests that understanding the sources of these nutrients could help improve predictions and management efforts for Sargassum blooms, which have had harmful effects on ecosystems, economies, and human health. The study also highlights the presence of arsenic in Sargassum tissue, which poses constraints on its utilization and should be considered in plans to deal with seasonal inundations.