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Sizing Up the Sargassum Belt - NASA Science
In June 2026, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt reached near-record levels of brown floating algae, with all-time highs in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America.
Why it matters
Excessive seaweed can suffocate marine life and corals, while decomposing algae releases a foul smell that negatively impacts tourism in coastal communities.
The details
- The Gulf of America's biomass nearly doubled its previous record from 2025.
- Atlantic Sargassum amounts have more than doubled every five years since 2011.
- NASA's PACE satellite uses hyperspectral capability to identify algae without ambiguity.
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Technologies
Key connections
NOAA operates the VIIRS instrument for ocean observation.
NOAA operates the NOAA-20 satellite.
University of South Florida owns Sargassum Watch System
USF developed and maintains the Sargassum Watch System.
Brian Barnes works at University of South Florida
Brian Barnes is a marine scientist at USF.
Brian Barnes works at Optical Oceanography Laboratory
Brian Barnes works at the Optical Oceanography Laboratory.
Chuanmin Hu works at University of South Florida
Chuanmin Hu is an optical oceanographer at USF.
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Chuanmin Hu works at Optical Oceanography Laboratory
Chuanmin Hu works at the Optical Oceanography Laboratory at USF.
Lin Qi works at Center for Satellite Applications and Research
Lin Qi is an oceanographer at NOAA's Center for Satellite Applications and Research.
Lin Qi works at NOAA.
Jeremy Werdell works at Goddard Space Flight Center
Jeremy Werdell is a project scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Jeremy Werdell leads PACE
Jeremy Werdell serves as PACE project scientist.
Optical Oceanography Laboratory is a member of University of South Florida
Optical Oceanography Laboratory is a lab within the USF College of Marine Science.
Center for Satellite Applications and Research is a member of NOAA
Center for Satellite Applications and Research is a center within NOAA.
Aqua carries the MODIS instrument.
NOAA-20 carries the VIIRS instrument.
Sargassum Watch System uses OCI
Sargassum Watch System incorporates OCI satellite data.
Sargassum Watch System uses MODIS
Sargassum Watch System uses MODIS satellite data.
Sargassum Watch System uses VIIRS
Sargassum Watch System uses VIIRS satellite data.
OCI is built with Hyperspectral Imaging
OCI utilizes hyperspectral imaging capabilities to distinguish Sargassum.
PACE uses Remote Sensing
PACE provides satellite remote sensing of ocean ecosystems.
NASA operates the PACE Earth observation satellite mission.
NASA operates the Ocean Color Instrument aboard the PACE satellite.
NASA owns and operates the Terra satellite.
Terra satellite carries the MODIS imaging spectroradiometer instrument.
The PACE satellite carries the Ocean Color Instrument to collect hyperspectral ocean data.
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