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The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is a massive, recurring band of floating brown algae that represents a significant shift in marine ecosystems. These rootless organisms thrive on high nutrient levels from river runoff and Saharan dust, with rising ocean temperatures further accelerating their growth. While these floating mats serve as a critical nursery habitat in the open ocean, their arrival on coastlines leads to severe ecological damage, including oxygen depletion and the destruction of seagrass beds. Beyond environmental concerns, decomposing seaweed releases toxic hydrogen sulfide gas and contains dangerous levels of heavy metals, posing risks to human health. Managing this phenomenon remains complex, as current removal strategies like mechanical raking and offshore barriers present their own set of logistical and environmental trade-offs.
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