Our first research area focuses on answering the when, where, and how much Sargassum landings. More specifically, we are conducting research to define the time, location, and amount of incoming Sargassum biomass in our field sites (Quintana Roo, Mexico, and Para, Brazil).

Pelagic sargassum can drift for thousands of kilometers on the ocean surface, moving from east to west across the equatorial Atlantic, traveling through the Caribbean Sea basin, and eventually entering coastal bays and reef lagoons before washing ashore. Developing a digital system for monitoring and forecasting massive sargassum landings requires a comprehensive analysis of the processes governing its transport across different spatial and temporal scales. In the open ocean, large-scale currents and winds primarily dictate its movement, whereas in coastal regions, bathymetry and shoreline morphology become increasingly relevant. Within reef lagoons —characteristic of the western Caribbean— sargassum transport is mainly influenced by local waves and winds, with reduced impact from large-scale currents. We will develop a digital system to monitor and predict massive sargassum landings in the Mexican Caribbean by integrating multiple transport scales into a multiscale forecasting model.

We are aware that Sargassum monitoring and modeling are among the most advanced fields within Sargassum research. We are working with local and international research groups to build on and contribute to their research so we can leverage all efforts to provide the most accurate predictions to our allied communities and partners.