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The Sargasso Sea Lauren Seyler

The Sargasso Sea Lauren Seyler. A Sea Without Shores. 1,100 km wide by 3,200 km long 70°W to 40°W, 25°N to 35°N Bounded by currents: West: Gulf Stream North: North Atlantic Current East: Canary Current South: North Atlantic Equatorial Current => North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre

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The Sargasso Sea Lauren Seyler

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  1. The Sargasso SeaLauren Seyler

  2. A Sea Without Shores • 1,100 km wide by 3,200 km long • 70°W to 40°W, 25°N to 35°N • Bounded by currents: • West: Gulf Stream • North: North Atlantic Current • East: Canary Current • South: North Atlantic Equatorial Current • => North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre • Depths of 1,500-7,000 m

  3. Characteristics • Separation from rest of Atlantic • Indigenous currents weak, mostly entropious • What goes in, won’t go out • Plus: low ppt, high evaporation, light winds • = No mixing! • Warm, saline, nutrient-poor water

  4. Sargassum • Brown seaweed with small, berry-like bladders • Travels with wind and current • Not brought in by Gulf Stream • Unique ecological niche • J. Craig Venter • 1800 species, 148 previously unknown bacterial phylotypes

  5. Deadly Doldrums • “Sea of Lost Ships”- contains Bermuda Triangle • Dreaded by seafarers for centuries • Columbus’s crew feared seaweed • Not seaweed, but calms • “Horse Latitudes” • Even today, airplanes and cargo ships lost • WHY?

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