Articles
Vol 10 (2024): Special Postgraduate Issue ICUAP
INVASION OF SARGASSUM ON THE CARIBBEAN BEACHES: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MATERIALS
(1) Centro de Investigaciones en Dispositivos Semiconductores, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
CONAHCYT- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Quintana Roo, Departamento de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Chetumal, México
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Herbario Chetumal, México
(4) Área de Ciencia de Materiales, Departamento de Materiales, División de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco
CONAHCYT- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Quintana Roo, Departamento de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Chetumal, México
Abstract
Global warming affects various climatic, environmental and biological aspects, including the intensification of natural phenomena such as hurricanes, extreme droughts and the alteration of marine ecosystems. Within this context, the massive arrival of sargassum on the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean emerges as an environmental problem of growing concern. This phenomenon, which has seen a notable increase in the last decade, not only represents a challenge for the conservation of marine biodiversity, but also negatively impacts the tourism sector due to the accumulation of algae on beaches and the release of odors unpleasant due to their decomposition. Recent research suggests that global warming could be exacerbating this phenomenon through increased sea temperatures and changes in ocean currents, favoring the proliferation and movement of sargassum towards the Caribbean coasts. This work shows a brief overview of the problems caused by the arrival of thousands of tons of sargassum to the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean. Initially, the ecological context and its historical importance from its first sightings are presented. Subsequently, its chemical composition is analyzed and possible applications are explored for the development of new materials to make use of and take advantage of the biomass that lands and until now has been wasted.
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