Atlantic Sargassum Belt reaches second-highest historical levels

The Atlantic Sargassum Belt reached its highest concentration of 2026 in June, marking the second-highest level ever recorded via satellite observations, following the 2025 record.

Data from NASA and scientists at the University of South Florida indicate historic levels in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The eastern Caribbean recorded approximately 9 million metric tons of sargassum, while the western Caribbean saw 3.6 million metric tons. The Gulf of Mexico accumulated about 5 million metric tons, nearly doubling its previous record from 2025.

While currents prevented massive accumulation on Florida's west coast, significant amounts were transported to the Florida Keys and the state's east coast. Oceanographer Chuanmin Hu noted that since the belt's emergence in 2011, the total volume of this floating algae has approximately doubled every five years. The exact causes of this increase remain under investigation.