Sargasso Sea: description, discovery history, interesting facts

The largest and most mysterious sea on planet Earth is located in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. The sea has no shores and is bounded by four currents: the Canary Current to the east, the North Equatorial Current from the south, the Gulf Stream to the west, and the North Atlantic Current from the north. It is the epicenter of the enigmatic Bermuda Triangle.

Rotating clockwise, these water movements create a unique phenomenon in nature – a powerful unified vortex. The territory, discovered by Christopher Columbus, is still surrounded by myths and legends, the mystical plots of which stir the minds of adventurers and scientists alike. This amazing place is still not fully explored.

Description

The Sargasso Sea, discovered by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century, covers an area of ​​about 7 million square kilometers, which constantly fluctuates under the influence of currents. Cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean cannot penetrate inside. There are no winds here, and the purest water maintains a temperature of 18 to 28 degrees Celsius year-round.

The salinity of the Sargasso Sea reaches 36-37%. The depth reaches 7,000 meters in the area of ​​the North American Basin.

The sea level exceeds the average by a meter, and in some places, by two. This happens because powerful currents swirl into a funnel and push water to the surface. Later, the level decreases and flows back into the depths.

Discovery History

Navigator Columbus assembled his first expedition in 1492, consisting of 3 ships and almost 100 crew members. Travelers discovered these unique waters just during the period of algae bloom, which rose to the surface along with roots and leaves, completely covering the surface.

Externally resembling wild grapes, called “sargasso,” the fruits of these plants determined the name – Sargasso.

This place was mentioned as far back as the 5th century BCE. At that time, Carthaginian sailors reached the Azores Islands but, upon seeing algae bloom on the water surface, they did not dare to sail further.

The name “Horse Latitudes” became associated with the Sargasso Sea in those days when ships sailed under sails and, lacking powerful engines, were unable to extricate themselves from dense seaweed. They couldn’t expect help from the wind since the air there was stagnant. Ships became captives of this place for many months until their drinking water and food supplies ran out.

Plant and Animal Life

Interestingly, the total number of marine species inhabiting the Sargasso Sea barely reaches 100. Unique crustaceans, fish, corals, marine bugs, turtles, needlefish, brown algae, anemones attached to them, and sea mosses inhabit these waters.

Most notably is the European eel, which, specifically overcoming thousands of kilometers to reproduce in the freshwaters of the Sargasso Sea, spawns and then perishes.

The European eel can reach a length of 50 cm, live up to 10 years, has a transparent color in saltwater and black in freshwater, and is capable of crawling through grass for a long time until it reaches a body of water.

Despite the persistence of the eel, offspring from Sargasso waters return back to European waters, carried by the Gulf Stream current as larvae. This strange cycle repeats year after year.

It is worth noting that the bottom of the Sargasso Sea resembles a submerged meadow due to the abundance of unique algae. Their upward movement is due to the presence of small air-filled balls, which once reminded sailors of a Portuguese grape variety.

Interesting Facts about the Sargasso Sea:

1. Not a Traditional Sea: The Sargasso Sea is unique as it has no land borders, defined instead by ocean currents in the North Atlantic Ocean.
2. Largest by Area: It spans an area of around 7 million square kilometers, making it one of the largest seas by area.
3. Constant Currents: The waters are always in motion due to an anticyclonic gyre—a slow, clockwise current created by surrounding ocean currents like the Gulf Stream and Canary Current.
4. Clear Waters: The sea is famous for its incredibly clear water, with visibility reaching up to 60 meters because of minimal zooplankton and micro-vegetation.
5. Sargassum Seaweed: The sea is named after Sargassum, a seaweed that floats in large mats, providing crucial habitat for marine life.
6. Vital Marine Habitat: Sargassum seaweed shelters a range of marine species, including fish, crabs, shrimp, and sea turtles, using the mats as nurseries.
7. Garbage Island: Pollution brought by currents has resulted in a vast “garbage island” at the sea’s center, creating environmental concerns.
8. Biodiversity Hotspot: Known as the “floating rainforest of the ocean,” it supports diverse marine ecosystems and is essential for species like American and European eels, which migrate there to spawn.
9. Calm Waters: The Sargasso Sea is notorious for its calm, windless waters, known historically as the “Horse Latitudes,” where ships would sometimes get stranded.
10. Temperature: Surface temperatures in the Sargasso Sea can reach up to 28°C (82°F) in summer.
11. Algal Dominance: The Sargassum seaweed has outcompeted other algae species in the area, sometimes reaching an astonishing 10 million tons.
12. Myths and Legends: The Sargasso Sea has been tied to many maritime legends, including stories connected to the Bermuda Triangle.
13. Deep Blue Waters: Its waters are often a rich light-green color due to the abundance of algae.
14. High Biological Productivity: Despite being nutrient-poor, the sea supports a variety of marine life, thanks to the Sargassum seaweed mats.
15. Endemic Species: It is home to unique species, such as the Sargassum fish, which uses the seaweed for camouflage.
16. Scientific Research Hub: The Sargasso Sea is a key area for oceanographic studies on marine ecology, ocean currents, and the impacts of climate change.
17. Plastic Pollution: The Sargasso Sea faces significant challenges from plastic debris, which accumulates in the floating seaweed.
18. Critical Migration Area: Many migratory species, including seabirds, rely on the Sargasso Sea as a feeding ground during long journeys.
19. Nursery for Loggerhead Turtles: The floating seaweed provides crucial shelter for juvenile loggerhead sea turtles, protecting them from predators.
20. Carbon Sink: The sea plays a key role in absorbing carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change.
21. Shifting Boundaries: The sea’s boundaries shift slightly depending on changes in surrounding ocean currents.
22. Named by Sailors: The Sargasso Sea has been known to sailors for centuries, and even Christopher Columbus noted it during his voyages.
23. Horse Latitudes: The calm waters are sometimes referred to as “Horse Latitudes,” where ships were historically becalmed for days.
24. Sargassum Growth: Sargassum seaweed can grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) long.
25. Temperature Impact: The sea’s waters are warm year-round, influencing the surrounding oceanic and atmospheric conditions.
26. Sargassum Reproduction: The seaweed reproduces vegetatively, meaning new plants grow from fragments of existing ones.
27. Beach Invasions: Sargassum seaweed occasionally washes ashore in massive quantities, affecting coastal areas.
28. Literature and Folklore: The Sargasso Sea has been featured in numerous works of literature and is often associated with mysterious ocean phenomena.
29. Ecological Importance: The Sargasso Sea is essential for the life cycle of American and European eels, which migrate thousands of miles to spawn there.
30. Influence on Climate: It is part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, influencing global climate patterns and ocean dynamics.
31. Sargasso Sea Commission: The Sargasso Sea Commission was established to protect and conserve this unique marine environment.
32. Deep-Sea Exploration: The calm, clear waters make it an ideal location for deep-sea exploration and research.
33. Endemic Fish Species: Unique species like the Sargassum fish are found only in this environment, relying on the seaweed for shelter.
34. Exploration by Scientists: The sea continues to be an important site for studying marine biodiversity and the effects of oceanic changes.
35. Ocean Dynamics: The Sargasso Sea plays a significant role in ocean circulation patterns and the global distribution of heat.
36. Floating Rainforest: Its rich biodiversity has earned it the nickname “floating rainforest,” highlighting its ecological importance.
37. Carbon Cycle: It is a significant player in the Earth’s carbon cycle, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide.
38. Bermuda Triangle: The sea has often been linked to the Bermuda Triangle due to its proximity and myths surrounding calm waters and stranded ships.
39. Plastic Threats: Plastic pollution, a growing concern in the area, threatens the delicate ecosystem of the Sargasso Sea.
40. Oceanic Currents: The sea is influenced by the North Atlantic Gyre, made up of several major currents, including the Gulf Stream and Canary Current.