Scientists at the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab reported that sargassum levels reached a record high for the month of May, according to FOX Weather<\/a>.<\/p>\n BEACH BACTERIA WARNINGS PLAGUE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND PLANS NATIONWIDE<\/a><\/p>\n Researchers estimate that at least 4% of the ocean’s surface is covered by floating mats and clusters of seaweed, with levels expected to increase further throughout June.<\/p>\n While the seaweed itself can be unsightly, many residents say the odor it produces is an even bigger problem.<\/p>\n Sargassum seaweed has been piling up on South Florida beaches, causing problems for visitors and coastal communities. (Joe Raedle\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n As sargassum decomposes, it releases hydrogen sulfide gas, creating a smell often compared to rotten eggs, according to the Florida Department of Health.<\/p>\n Health officials say the gas can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and may be especially troublesome for people with asthma<\/a> and other respiratory conditions.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n Residents who have discussed the issue online described the smell as one of the most unpleasant aspects of the ongoing seaweed buildup.<\/p>\n “The smell is so noxious where I live from all the decomposing sargassum,” one Reddit user wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although the seaweed is unpleasant to look at, many residents say the smell it creates is an even greater concern. (Daniel Slim\/AFP)<\/p>\n “It\u2019s really bad.”<\/p>\n Others said the odor has become so recognizable that even photos of the seaweed trigger memories of it.<\/p>\n “You had to walk through what felt like a foot of seaweed just to reach the water.”<\/p>\n “I can literally SMELL these photos,” another commenter wrote.<\/p>\n Another beachgoer said the seaweed made spending time in the water<\/a> less enjoyable than usual.<\/p>\n Sargassum levels reached a record high for May, with researchers estimating that floating mats and patches of the seaweed now cover at least 4% of the ocean\u2019s surface. Those levels are expected to continue increasing throughout June. (Joe Raedle\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “I was at the beach today, and honestly it was annoying,” the commenter wrote. “You can’t enjoy the water.”<\/p>\n Images shared online showed thick bands of seaweed stretching across portions of the shoreline.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n “Pictures don’t really do it justice,” one Reddit user wrote. “You had to walk through what felt like a foot of seaweed just to reach the water.”<\/p>\n Sargassum is a naturally occurring brown algae found throughout the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea<\/a> and the Gulf of America, FOX Weather noted.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n While it serves as an important habitat for marine species, including sea turtles<\/a>, crabs, shrimp and fish, unusually large blooms have become a recurring issue region-wide.<\/p>\n Most of the sargassum was historically located in the Sargasso Sea in the western North Atlantic. But, in 2011, the geographic range expanded, creating the Great Atlantic\u00a0Sargassum\u00a0Belt, according to the National Ocean Service<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Luis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/luis-yanez-chris-roy-miami-beach-fox-news-001.jpeg\")
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