The Sargassum group at LEGOS (Laboratoire d’Études en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales) brings together oceanographers, modelers, and remote-sensing specialists to study the dynamics of pelagic Sargassum in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean, with the aim of better understanding its origin, transport, variability, and coastal impacts.

Our goal is to link basin-scale oceanic processes to coastal Sargassum arrivals by combining observations and numerical modeling, in order to improve the monitoring and predictability of Sargassum events. We develellop seasonal early-warning systems and contributes to improved management of Sargassum impacts in affected regions.

Scientific focus :

Coastal stranding processes and regional impacts in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and West Africa

Sources and growth of pelagic Sargassum in the tropical Atlantic

Transport pathways driven by currents, winds, and mesoscale circulation

Seasonal to interannual variability, including extreme years