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Sargassum Belt reaches record levels in Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, 2026
NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite observed a massive accumulation of brown algae in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt during June 2026. The satellite data show the second‑highest total on record, surpassed only by 2025.
Regional measurements indicate 3.6 million metric tons in the western Caribbean, 9 million metric tons in the eastern Caribbean, and about 5 million metric tons in the Gulf of Mexico – nearly double the previous peak. Scientists at the University of South Florida, including marine researcher Brian Barnes, stress that daily satellite monitoring via the Ocean Color Instrument is the only way to track the belt’s extent and to help coastal communities prepare.
The surge, which has been growing since 2011 as the belt shifted from the North Atlantic Sargasso Sea to tropical waters, brings several impacts. Large strandings foul beaches, threaten tourism and local economies, and the decomposition of the algae releases hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, causing strong odors and potential respiratory irritation. Excessive mats can also entangle and suffocate marine life, corals and seagrass when they wash ashore.
Entities
Brian Barnes · Caribbean Sea · Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt · Gulf of Mexico · NASA · PACE satellite · Sargassum algae · University of South Florida
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Decomposing Sargassum releases hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, causing foul odors and potential respiratory irritation. www.lebardegandi.net · www.santemagazine.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The eastern Caribbean recorded 9 million metric tons of Sargassum in June 2026. mediaindonesia.com · www.tiempo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Brian Barnes of the University of South Florida said satellite monitoring is the only method to capture the belt’s daily scale. mediaindonesia.com · www.tiempo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] In June 2026 NASA's PACE satellite recorded Sargassum accumulation in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt at the second‑highest level ever recorded, after 2025. www.lebardegandi.net · mediaindonesia.com · www.tiempo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Gulf of Mexico recorded 5 million metric tons of Sargassum in June 2026, nearly double the previous record. mediaindonesia.com · www.tiempo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The western Caribbean recorded 3.6 million metric tons of Sargassum in June 2026. mediaindonesia.com · www.tiempo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sargassum accumulation has increased since 2011, shifting from the North Atlantic Sargasso Sea to the tropical Atlantic. www.lebardegandi.net · mediaindonesia.com · www.tiempo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Large Sargassum strandings can smother marine life, corals and seagrass when they wash ashore. www.lebardegandi.net · www.santemagazine.fr · www.tiempo.com