<i>Sargassum</i> spp. accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddies

<p>The proliferation of pelagic <i>Sargassum</i> spp. (<i>Sargassum</i>) in the tropical Atlantic has significant ecological and socioeconomic impacts. While large-scale ocean circulation patterns influence the basin-scale distribution of <i>Sargassum</i>, t...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: R. Sosa-Gutierrez, J. Jouanno, L. Berline
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-07-01
Series:Ocean Science
Online Access:https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/1505/2025/os-21-1505-2025.pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849417786729693184
author R. Sosa-Gutierrez
R. Sosa-Gutierrez
J. Jouanno
L. Berline
author_facet R. Sosa-Gutierrez
R. Sosa-Gutierrez
J. Jouanno
L. Berline
author_sort R. Sosa-Gutierrez
collection DOAJ
description <p>The proliferation of pelagic <i>Sargassum</i> spp. (<i>Sargassum</i>) in the tropical Atlantic has significant ecological and socioeconomic impacts. While large-scale ocean circulation patterns influence the basin-scale distribution of <i>Sargassum</i>, the role of mesoscale eddies in their local accumulation and transport has not been quantitatively assessed so far. This study investigates the relationship between mesoscale eddies and <i>Sargassum</i> dynamics using satellite observations. By analyzing 13 years of remote sensing observations, we demonstrate that both cyclonic and anticyclonic long-lived mesoscale eddies can trap and transport <i>Sargassum</i>. However, results show that, in cyclonic eddies, <i>Sargassum</i> cover is higher and tends to accumulate during its lifetime, while within anticyclonic eddies the <i>Sargassum</i> cover is usually weaker and tends to decrease. These findings align with recent studies highlighting the role of eddies in shaping the distribution of floating debris and provide an important observational basis for the development of <i>Sargassum</i> drift models.</p>
format Article
id doaj-art-a5bc4689c42e4e35954d5a1c1c21b6c8
institution Kabale University
issn 1812-0784
1812-0792
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Copernicus Publications
record_format Article
series Ocean Science
spelling doaj-art-a5bc4689c42e4e35954d5a1c1c21b6c82025-08-20T03:32:37ZengCopernicus PublicationsOcean Science1812-07841812-07922025-07-01211505151410.5194/os-21-1505-2025<i>Sargassum</i> spp. accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddiesR. Sosa-Gutierrez0R. Sosa-Gutierrez1J. Jouanno2L. Berline3LEGOS, Université de Toulouse, IRD, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, FranceCELAD/Mercator Ocean International, 31400 Toulouse, FranceLEGOS, Université de Toulouse, IRD, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, FranceAix-Marseille University, Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, MIO UM 110, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Campus of Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France<p>The proliferation of pelagic <i>Sargassum</i> spp. (<i>Sargassum</i>) in the tropical Atlantic has significant ecological and socioeconomic impacts. While large-scale ocean circulation patterns influence the basin-scale distribution of <i>Sargassum</i>, the role of mesoscale eddies in their local accumulation and transport has not been quantitatively assessed so far. This study investigates the relationship between mesoscale eddies and <i>Sargassum</i> dynamics using satellite observations. By analyzing 13 years of remote sensing observations, we demonstrate that both cyclonic and anticyclonic long-lived mesoscale eddies can trap and transport <i>Sargassum</i>. However, results show that, in cyclonic eddies, <i>Sargassum</i> cover is higher and tends to accumulate during its lifetime, while within anticyclonic eddies the <i>Sargassum</i> cover is usually weaker and tends to decrease. These findings align with recent studies highlighting the role of eddies in shaping the distribution of floating debris and provide an important observational basis for the development of <i>Sargassum</i> drift models.</p>https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/1505/2025/os-21-1505-2025.pdf
spellingShingle R. Sosa-Gutierrez
R. Sosa-Gutierrez
J. Jouanno
L. Berline
<i>Sargassum</i> spp. accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddies
Ocean Science
title <i>Sargassum</i> spp. accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddies
title_full <i>Sargassum</i> spp. accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddies
title_fullStr <i>Sargassum</i> spp. accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddies
title_full_unstemmed <i>Sargassum</i> spp. accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddies
title_short <i>Sargassum</i> spp. accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddies
title_sort i sargassum i spp accumulation and transport by mesoscale eddies
url https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/1505/2025/os-21-1505-2025.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT rsosagutierrez isargassumisppaccumulationandtransportbymesoscaleeddies
AT rsosagutierrez isargassumisppaccumulationandtransportbymesoscaleeddies
AT jjouanno isargassumisppaccumulationandtransportbymesoscaleeddies
AT lberline isargassumisppaccumulationandtransportbymesoscaleeddies