A record amount of sargassum seaweed has been washing ashore across South Florida, frustrating beachgoers and creating a growing challenge for coastal communities. The brown seaweed has piled up along beaches throughout the region, leaving behind large mounds that many visitors say are affecting their beach experience.

Health Concerns

Scientists at the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab reported that sargassum levels reached a record high for the month of May. As the seaweed decomposes, it releases hydrogen sulfide gas, creating a smell often compared to rotten eggs, according to the Florida Department of Health. Health officials say the gas can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and may be especially troublesome for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Residents who have discussed the issue online described the smell as one of the most unpleasant aspects of the ongoing seaweed buildup. Images shared online showed thick bands of seaweed stretching across portions of the shoreline. Sargassum is a naturally occurring brown algae found throughout the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America, but unusually large blooms have become a recurring issue region-wide.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.