Global floating algae blooms are expanding

In the past two decades, both microscopic algae (i.e., phytoplankton) and larger algae (i.e., macroalgae) have increased in certain coastal and open ocean waters, yet a comprehensive picture at the global scale is lacking. Here, we address this challenge by analyzing 1.2 million satellite images with computer artificial intelligence to quantify macroalgal mats and microalgal scums in global oceans between 2003 and 2022. With a total cumulative realized niche area of 43.8 million km<sup>2</sup>, macroalgae blooms in the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific both expanded at unprecedented rates since the 2010s (13.4% per year since 2003). Although slower, the annual expansion rate of microalgae scums is also statistically significant (1.0% per year since 2003). Such trends are likely a result of ocean warming and eutrophication, with a possible regime shift favoring macroalgae and specialized species of microalgae. These findings have broad implications on ocean ecology, carbon sequestration, environments, and economy.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-12-07
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66822-5
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Marine and coastal plant biology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
5.38

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article

Global floating algae blooms are expanding

Menghua Wang, Chuanmin Hu, Yuyuan Xie, Douglas G. Capone et al.
3 citations
Nature Communications
Marine and coastal plant biology
5.38
article

Global floating algae blooms are expanding

Menghua Wang, Chuanmin Hu, Yuyuan Xie, Douglas G. Capone, Lin Qi, Joaquim I. Goés, Brian B. Barnes, Edward J. Carpenter
article en
3 citations

Abstract

In the past two decades, both microscopic algae (i.e., phytoplankton) and larger algae (i.e., macroalgae) have increased in certain coastal and open ocean waters, yet a comprehensive picture at the global scale is lacking. Here, we address this challenge by analyzing 1.2 million satellite images with computer artificial intelligence to quantify macroalgal mats and microalgal scums in global oceans between 2003 and 2022. With a total cumulative realized niche area of 43.8 million km<sup>2</sup>, macroalgae blooms in the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific both expanded at unprecedented rates since the 2010s (13.4% per year since 2003). Although slower, the annual expansion rate of microalgae scums is also statistically significant (1.0% per year since 2003). Such trends are likely a result of ocean warming and eutrophication, with a possible regime shift favoring macroalgae and specialized species of microalgae. These findings have broad implications on ocean ecology, carbon sequestration, environments, and economy.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 17(1)
University of Southern California (US), Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (US), Global Science & Technology (United States) (US), NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research (US), San Francisco State University (US), University of South Florida St. Petersburg (US), Columbia University (US), College of Marin (US)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Marine and coastal plant biology
5.38
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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