That ubiquitous smell is decaying sargassum, islands of floating, brown sea algae that is piling up along the beaches of Key West
Why does it stink in the Florida Keys?
, the Florida peninsula, Mexico and other Caribbean islands. Happens every summer when the winds and currents come from the south.
Why does it stink in the Keys?
Bad smells in the Florida Keys are usually from rotting sargassum seaweed and other organic matter on beaches, in the ocean and on the seafloor. Bad smells can also arise from muddy, shallow water environments which are common throughout the Keys. The severity of the smell is heavily dependent on the wind direction.
What is the smell in Florida Keys?
Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed that is washing up on beaches in Florida. As it rots, it gives off a substance called hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide has a very unpleasant odor, like rotten eggs.
Why does the Gulf of Mexico smell?
Most of the time, the smelly stuff on the beach is a brown alga known commonly by its scientific name, sargassum. This alga floats around the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and arrives on our beaches only when wind blows it on shore.
What should you avoid in Key West?
What NOT To Do On Your Key West Vacation
- Don't Drive in Key West. …
- Don't Think Duval Street Has All the Restaurants. …
- Don't Let Prices Scare You Off. …
- Don't Forget These Key West Essentials: …
- Don't Feel Bad Taking a Trolley or Train Tour. …
- Don't Miss Sunset in Key West. …
- Don't Expect Sandy Beaches.
Will the Keys go underwater?
The $27 Billion Question. Can the Florida Keys adapt to sea-level rise? In a TNC study on sea-level rise, areas of Big Pine Key will be under water in a matter of decades.
Why do chickens run loose in Key West?
Many of these birds escaped their enclosures or were just released when cockfighting became illegal. The feathered animals are now known as Key West Gypsy Chickens. Since Key West is a no-kill island, so it didn’t take long for the population of chickens to explode on this two- by four-mile island!
Why are there toilet seats in the Florida Keys?
The story has it that due to Hurricane Donna in 1960 all types of household debris was scattered across the island and in its waters. In the aftermath on Donna, one toilet seat was found hanging on one of the homemade posts marking this unofficial channel.
Why does Florida water smell like eggs?
HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND SULFUR BACTERIA People can smell hydrogen sulfide gas in water at a very low level. It smells like rotten eggs. You can check the smell of water coming out of the hot and cold water faucets.
What smells like boiled eggs?
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colourless gas with a characteristic odour of rotten eggs which being denser than air may pool in low areas in still conditions.
What is the smell in Key West?
That ubiquitous smell is decaying sargassum, islands of floating, brown sea algae that is piling up along the beaches of Key West, the Florida peninsula, Mexico and other Caribbean islands. Happens every summer when the winds and currents come from the south.
Can you see Cuba from Key West?
The answer the Americans do not like is “no, you cannot see Cuba from Key West. “ The problem is that the earth, being round, curves and Cuba, which is about 90 miles from Key West, falls below the horizon when you look towards it from Key West.
Will Florida be underwater in 10 years?
By 2100, large swaths of coastal land in Florida will be permanently submerged. In the shorter term, rising seas will increase the frequency and severity of coastal flooding. Statewide, three feet of flooding puts at risk: Future sea level depends on greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric / oceanic processes.
What will be underwater by 2050?
It found that an estimated 4.3 million acres — an area nearly the size of Connecticut — will be underwater by 2050, including $35 billion worth of real estate. “Higher flood waters are reaching further inland, flooding properties and buildings that have never flooded before,” Climate Central researchers wrote.
Are there a lot of bugs in Key West?
The bugs live here. They love a tropical island as much as you do. They are not automatically a sign that your house, hotel or vacation rental is dirty. Many of us have a monthly bug spray service that keeps BUGS somewhat at bay, but the real secret is not leaving food on the counters.
How does Key West get fresh water?
Where Does Our Water Come From? The freshwater Biscayne Aquifer is the primary groundwater supply source for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority. Our wellfield is located within an environmentally protected pine rockland forest west of Florida City on the mainland.
Why does it stink in Key West?
That ubiquitous smell is decaying sargassum, islands of floating, brown sea algae that is piling up along the beaches of Key West, the Florida peninsula, Mexico and other Caribbean islands. Happens every summer when the winds and currents come from the south.
Why is there no beach in the Keys?
The Keys don’t have wide sandy beaches because the coral reefs we enjoy as snorkelers and scuba divers prevent the erosion and sand from building up along the shore. So while the beaches aren’t what make the Keys special, there are still some pretty special beaches in the Keys.
Why do my keys smell?
Bad smells in the Florida Keys are usually from rotting sargassum seaweed and other organic matter on beaches, in the ocean and on the seafloor. Bad smells can also arise from muddy, shallow water environments which are common throughout the Keys. The severity of the smell is heavily dependent on the wind direction.
Why do I smell skunk in my house?
More likely, a skunk-like odor coming through your vents means you have a gas leak in your HVAC system. Specifically, methyl mercaptan, a gas that smells a whole lot like a skunk’s spray, could be entering your ductwork and the house. This is a hazardous gas that can place you and your family in danger.
Why does my bedroom smell?
Stagnant air — Stagnant air traps airborne particles like dust, mold spores, and even tobacco smoke from your clothes. This is especially true on hot humid days. If you don’t have proper ventilation in your room, the air holds on to these pollutants.
Can you swim in the water in Key West?
Yes, Key West has several swimmable beaches. The island is located in the Florida Keys, which is known for its clear blue waters. Some of the best beaches for swimming include Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.
Can you swim from Cuba to Florida?
On September 2, 2013, 64-year-old Diana Nyad becomes the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the use of a shark cage for protection. Nyad completed the 110-mile swim from Havana to Key West, through the jellyfish-and shark-infested waters of the Straits of Florida, in approximately 53 hours.
Why are American tourists not allowed in Cuba?
The U.S. government state department placed an embargo on trade between Cuba and the United States of America in 1962. Until this day, it makes travel to Cuba harder than you might think, but not impossible.
How long till Miami is underwater?
According to Dr. Wanelss’s research, by the year 2060, nearly 60% of Miami-Dade county will be underwater. “Now since the ice melt started we’re up to a rate of almost two feet per century,” he says. Scientists say greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide are the root of the problem.
How long till California is underwater?
No, California is not going to fall into the ocean. California is firmly planted on the top of the earth’s crust in a location where it spans two tectonic plates.