What Is This Seaweed and Where Did it Come From?

In recent years, a brown seaweed has been commonly seen along the beaches of coastal Alabama. This specific seaweed is called sargassum.

Sargassum is known to have a distinct smell if it starts to rot, due to the release of hydrogen sulfide. However, there is no need to avoid the beach – it is harmless to humans.

In 2019, there was a bloom of sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists believe the main cause behind the growth is deforestation and fertilizer use. Another reason could be climate change affecting the ocean’s chemistry.

Although it might not be pleasant to look at, this natural seaweed does help rebuild dunes and brings in a lot of nutrients, making it beneficial to our coastline.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach work hard to keep the coastline clean, and this includes cleaning up sargassum as much as possible. You can do your part to keep the shorelines clear of clutter by following the Leave Only Footprints Guidelines.