A Gigantic Seaweed Blob Bigger Than The Entire U.S. Is Headed Straight For Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published April 26, 2023
×
Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Listen up, beachgoers! If the water is calling your name, read this article before you answer it. A 5,000-mile-long seaweed blob is on its way to the Gulf Coast – it’s already starting to wash up on some Florida beaches! The mass could impact the Texas coastline soon, so don’t be surprised if you see more seaweed on the beach than usual (particularly in the Galveston area). Here’s everything you need to know about this seaweed blob coming to Texas.
If you plan on visiting the beach soon, there is something you should know first.
Measuring over 5,000 miles long and weighing in at more than 10 million tons, the seaweed is nothing Texas beaches haven't seen before - but the sheer amount of this particular mass is unprecedented.
Advertisement
Made up of Sargassum -a type of seaweed that typically washes ashore on coastal beaches during the summer - the seaweed blob isn't all bad news.
When the seaweed begins to degrade, it releases a chemical compound called hydrogen sulfide. Not only does this compound exude an odor akin to that of rotten eggs, but it can also be toxic to breathe in.
Furthermore, Sargassum prevents sea turtles from being able to lay their eggs in the sand.
Too much nitrogen and too little phosphorous, to be exact, is likely responsible. For now, until a solution is found, the seaweed must be managed by extensive tracking and the cleaning up of river systems.
What do you think about this seaweed blob coming to Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t let this stop you from visiting Galveston, however. The city is full of historic charm and family-friendly attractions, and it’s worth a trip any time of year.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
