A large patch of brown sargassum floating in emerald blue water with green hills and a blue sky in the background.

Sargassum spp. is a form of microalgae that negatively impacts coastal and marine ecosystems. The brown tides cause reductions in light, oxygen, and pH, as well as high influxes of nitrogen and phosphorus leading to eutrophication. 

Source: 
Sargassum brown tide

Image provided by E. Figueroa, CARICOOS. Used with permission.

Last modified: 
21 July 2022 - 12:13pm