Abstract
The massive influx of pelagic Sargassum spp. species, also known as Sargassum inundation events (SIEs), first arrived at the Caribbean’s coastal waters in 2011. These events have been linked to hypoxia, among other ecological disturbances. Here, we report data from 2022 on (1) an assessment of the relative magnitude of particulate organic carbon (POC) load arising from SIEs into the La Parguera Marine Reserve (LPMR) basin off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico and (2) the biogeochemical impact of SIE in a nearshore mangrove key within the reserve, Monsio Jose Key Bay (MJKB). Our analysis yields that the carbon influx increased by 20% in the LPMR basin and by 103% in MJKB. Weekly observations of Sargassum input, along with the collection and analysis of water samples in MJKB, evidenced a cause-effect relation between Sargassum carbon loading and frequency of hypoxic (DO < 2 mg·L -1 ) and critically acidic conditions (Aragonite saturation, Ω < 2.0). During the 2022 Sargassum season, hypoxic conditions were detected in 43% of samples collected in MJKB. Considering the modulation of biogeochemical parameters by changes in tide height (Δh) and wind speed (m·s -1 ), stepwise multiple regression analyses (RDA-AIC model selection) showed that significant parameters influencing DO, pH, and Ω include the Sargassum carbon influx and Δh ( p < 0.05). These findings strongly support the hypothesis that the additional input of POC influx enhances microbial mineralization rates responsible for depressed oxygen concentrations and acidic conditions, which could be detrimental to coastal ecosystems. This is particularly concerning in areas prone to SIEs where geomorphological features facilitate the entrainment of floating materials. Proper management requires the identification of vulnerable sites and Sargassum removal. Ongoing efforts towards that goal are underway for LPMR.