A Review of a Decade of Local Projects, Studies and Initiatives of Atypical Influxes of Pelagic Sargassum on Mexican Caribbean Coasts

Abstract

This study collates and reviews the state of the art in the phenomenon of atypical pelagic Sargassum influxes in the coastline of the Mexican Caribbean, focusing on projects, studies and initiatives that have been conducted in the country for a decade. We integrated multisectoral and multidisciplinary knowledge and identified gaps and strengths in current knowledge. Initiatives and projects conducted in Mexico are numerous, diverse and valuable. However, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and interinstitutional coordinated actions in the medium- and long-term are still lacking. Because of this, there is an imbalance of actions in different knowledge areas that prevents this phenomenon from being addressed in a comprehensive way. Furthermore, the funding opportunities for Sargassum research projects and other initiatives seem to respond to the events of massive influxes, without continuity or long-term planning. Attention is mainly focused on urban and touristic areas, so impacts to rural or uninhabited zones are unknown. This review represents a stepping-stone towards an integrated multisectoral effort to shift the perspective from Sargassum being a “national problem” to a “national resource,” considering and fully understanding the ecological importance of this macroalgae as a floating ecosystem and its potential as an economic resource once it massively arrives in Mexican coastal areas.

Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized by a Green Method Using Sargassum Extracts

“…Similarly, it has also brought economic problems due to the significant decrease in tourists in the spring and summer seasons. This has led to expenses or investments for its collection, storage, and disposal [ 26 ]. Therefore, sargassum has recently been studied to find certain alternative uses for it, such as manufacturing paper, bricks, and fertilizers [ 24 , 27 ].…”

Seaweed blooms in paradise: Ecological reflexivity, governance and the Sargassum crisis in the Mexican Caribbean

“…Sargassum landings on the region's coastlines represent a serious environmental management challenge for state and federal officials (Rodríguez- Martínez et al, 2016;Novedades de Quintana Roo, 2018). Some research has analyzed the causes and ecological impacts of Sargassum's arrival on Mexico's Caribbean shores, including the algae's chemical composition and potential uses (van Tussenbroek et al, 2017;Chávez et al, 2020;Rosellón Druker et al, 2022). Nevertheless, except for the recent stateof the-art analysis conducted by Rosellón Druker and colleagues (2022), there is still a notable gap in the literature when it comes to the governance and emergent institutional frameworks in Mexico for the management and disposal of Sargassum.…”

Innovative Eco-Friendly Microwave-Assisted Rapid Biosynthesis of Ag/AgCl-NPs Coated with Algae Bloom Extract as Multi-Functional Biomaterials with Non-Toxic Effects on Normal Human Cells

“…The rapid proliferation of harmful algal species can outcompete and displace native species, leading to a decline in biodiversity and disrupting the natural balance of marine ecosystems [ 1 ]. Blooms can release toxins and other harmful substances, leading to degraded water quality, making water unsuitable for drinking, recreational activities, and aquatic life [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. In addition, some harmful algal species produce toxins that can pose health risks to humans through the consumption of contaminated seafood or direct exposure to toxins in the water during recreational activities [ 1 ].…”

“…In addition, some harmful algal species produce toxins that can pose health risks to humans through the consumption of contaminated seafood or direct exposure to toxins in the water during recreational activities [ 1 ]. However, recent studies have provided valuable insight into their potential for transformation into innovative solutions [ 2 , 3 ]. Sargassum , in particular, holds promise as a valuable resource for bioenergy production, primarily due to its high biomass productivity and unique biochemical composition [ 4 ].…”