Plastic-webbed drifters track Sargassum mats for weeks or months at sea
They spotted the first mat of Sargassum seaweed several miles out in Biscayne Bay. The captain of the 37-foot (11-meter) Yellowfin brought the vessel to a full stop, allowing the scientists on board to get a closer look at the brown macroalgae that has been washing ashore by the tons this summer and fouling the shorelines of Gulf Coast and Atlantic beaches.
Scientists have developed drifters that track Sargassum seaweed mats for weeks or months at sea. The first Sargassum mat was spotted in Biscayne Bay, prompting oceanographer María Josefina Olascoaga to deploy a drifter in the center of the floating mat. These specialized drifters, created in collaboration with Altametry, feature GPS technology, color detection sensors, and built-in cameras to confirm whether they remain attached to the seaweed.
The drifters' plastic strips, made from a low-cost webbing purchased online, are crucial in ensuring they stay embedded within the Sargassum mats rather than floating alone. Once recovered, the drifters are not likely to harm marine life due to the secure attachment of the strips. Testing in Biscayne Bay, an underwater tank, and Darwin Beach on Virginia Key proved the effectiveness of these devices, allowing researchers to track the drifters' paths accurately.
Future testing could involve deploying the drifters in Sargassum mats for extended periods to study long-range transport across the Atlantic Ocean. These drifters could serve as valuable tools for understanding Sargassum transport and mitigating the negative impacts on coastal communities.
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