In recent days, the eastern coasts of Cuba, especially in the province of Guantánamo, have witnessed a massive arrival of sargassum which not only modifies the coastal landscape, but also involves significant risks to health and the environmentThis accumulation of seaweed is affecting both local communities and the natural environment, raising concerns among authorities and the public.
El Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Citma) has declared a maximum alert due to the concentration of algae in several coastal areas, such as Baracoa, San Antonio del Sur, Baitiquirà and El GuanalSpecialists warn that during the decomposition process, sargassum releases toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and methane, responsible for causing Headaches, eye and throat irritations, nausea, and breathing problems, especially in people with asthma or allergies.
In addition to these symptoms, sargassum in a state of putrefaction It harbors bacteria that can cause skin and gastrointestinal infections upon contact with skin or by ingesting contaminated water. For this reason, health authorities recommend that residents of the region Avoid bathing, contact with the algae, and transit through the affected areasIn areas like BaitiquirÃ, cleanup is almost impossible due to the large amount of accumulated material and the lack of appropriate technical resources.
The health situation is complicated because, in addition to its impact on human health, sargassum seriously affects coastal ecosystems. By blocking sunlight and exchanging oxygen with the environment, it damages coral reefs and can cause the death of many marine species.. Similarly, local fishing and tourism suffer the consequences, as beaches become impassable and fishing is hampered by the massive presence of macroalgae.
Effects of sargassum: health, economy, and biodiversity in jeopardy
Cuban authorities, together with volunteers and medical science students, have launched clean-up campaigns on beaches such as Little turtle, in an attempt to mitigate the effects of sargassum. However, many municipalities lack sufficient infrastructure for the collection and final treatment of algae, which limits the effectiveness of these actions and leaves the population exposed to the phenomenon.
The sargassum phenomenon is not limited to Cuba either. International studies link their proliferation to climate change., the warming of ocean waters, the alteration of ocean currents, and the excess of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) in the oceans, a product of pollution. These conditions have favored the formation of a large sargassum belt that can be tracked by satellite and which, according to experts, This year, the record of 522.000 tons arrived in 2018 could be surpassed. to the Caribbean if no extreme weather event occurs that disperses the algae.
Locally, The lack of technical and technological resources makes it difficult to manage the phenomenonWhile other countries in the region, such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic, have implemented floating barriers, specialized brigades, and information campaigns, the Cuban response depends primarily on community efforts. Experts insist on the urgency of a coordinated regional approach and in the development of warning systems and sargassum harvesting technologies to try to turn this threat into an economic opportunity, although for now these solutions are not available on a large scale.
Forecast and recommendations for the increase in sargassum
The arrival of sargassum on eastern Cuban beaches could continue and intensify during the coming months of July and August, following the pattern of ocean currents and trade winds. Citma predicts that, absent a significant climatic event, other Cuban provinces could soon be affected.
Among the most important recommendations, the authorities underline the need to do not expose yourself directly to sargassum, avoid bathing in contaminated areas and attend to symptoms compatible with exposure to toxic gases or skin infectionsIn addition, it is recommended that you follow official guidelines and participate in preventive measures to the extent possible.
This phenomenon highlights the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to climate events and human pollution. The crisis highlights the importance of science, community solidarity, and early action to reduce risks and protect the health and environment of affected populations.