The Sargassum Challenge: improving the collection of sargassum in an efficient and timely manner.

Author: Michellie Hernandez

Learn Biomimicry Challenge to Design Pro-bono Project

Last edited in March 27, 2025

As tons of sargassum from the Sargassum Belt is being washed up along the shores of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico yearly, many companies are starting to innovate towards bio utilizations of sargassum as a commodity. As climate change has been increasing the growth of the Sargassum Belt over the years, this is predicted to continue growing as climate change increases the oceans temperature and Amazon forest runoff.

"Every year since 2011 (except 2013) the great Atlantic Sargassum belt has formed. Spanning from Brazil to West Africa, the belt is thousands of miles south of the Sargasso Sea where Sargassum rafts typically form. Without a strong circling current, like the one that contains the seaweed in the Sargasso Sea, at the end of the summer the seaweed has been washing up on Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico shores, smothering seagrass beds, entangling large sea creatures, and fouling beaches with desiccated seaweed and an accompanying odorous stench (Danielle Hall 2022)".

Elevated chlorophyll, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus levels along with elevated ocean temperatures create a perfect nutrient environment for sargassum. Per Hall 2022, the year with the largest bloom of the Sargassum Belt occurred in 2018 with a record breaking 20 million tons of sargassum in the ocean.

An estimation of sargassum collection from the coastlines of the Dominican Republic alone for 2022 was 2.8 million tons (De Jesus, M 2023). This has been affecting the Dominican Republic’s ecosystem as well as the local population’s health from decomposing sargassum on the shores and the D.R.'s economy that relies heavily on tourism and fishing.

How can we collect the sargassum on land and in the water in a timely manner prior to its degradation without harming wildlife?

How can we collect the sargassum from the beaches without causing sand erosion as sand is often collected along with the sargassum?

REFERENCES

Hall, Danielle. “Too Much of a Good Thing—the Atlantic Sargassum Belt | Smithsonian Ocean.” Ocean.si.edu, June 2022, https://ocean.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_large/public/2022-06/sargassumtamo20181440.png.webp?itok=aIek74vQ

Massiel de Jesús (2023). Bávaro-Punta Cana, zona de RD con mayor reporte de sargazos en 2023. [online] Periódico elDinero. Available at: https://eldinero.com.do/231600/bavaro-punta-cana-zona-de-rd-con-mayor-reporte-de-sargazos-en-2023/ [Accessed 01 March, 2024].

Preliminary Product designs for the Collection of Sargassum and Algae from some bio inspiration from nature, please feel free to contact me if you would like further details in a Prezi presentation.

Paddles bio-inspired by Manatees

Preliminary illustration in View only link in image citation: Created in BioRender. Hernandez, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/h2c695w

Created with Stylar AI

Manatee Bio inspired Paddle

Created with Stylar AI

Juvenile Sea Turtle Bio inspired Net

Created with Stylar AI

Bio inspired Fiddler Crab Machinery

Preliminary illustration in View only link in image citation: Created in BioRender. Hernandez, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/xenvn7e

Close up of Bio inspired Fiddler Crab Machinery

Preliminary illustration in View only link in image citation: Created in BioRender. Hernandez, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/gd9wi9l

Created with Stylar AI

Sample of Biomimicry methodology for the development of these designs, please contact if interested in learning more on the application of the methodology in juvenile sea turtles and the Fiddler Crab:

BIOMIMICRY METHODOLGY FOR MANATEE BIO INSPIRATION DESIGN

MANATEES STRATEGY

In the feeding process, manatees first submerge the floating vegetation underwater with a series of motions and use of the facial vibrissae, finger-like whiskers (short stiff “vibrissae” or bristles) with sensory and motion innervations.

MANATEES MECHANISM

PROCESS

In order for manatees to eat floating vegetation, they first require to submerge the floating vegetation. Followed by directing the now submerged vegetation towards its mouth.

Motion of snout and both flippers together with the use of their sensory and motor functions of facial vibrissae are required to submerge floating vegetation.

Submerging floating vegetation:

1. Dorsal movement of the snout and movement of the upper lip to form the shape of a “U”

2. Facial vibrissae including U2 are pointing downward and moving like a rake to help capture floating sargassum with the vibrissae.

3. Movement of both flippers to help drag the floating vegetation down.

4. This requires several repeated attempts of these “fine motor control of the snout and perioral bristles [1].” and the motion of both flippers to drag the floating vegetation underwater where it continued its cyclic grasping motions to direct it towards the mouth.

The cyclic grasping motions underwater consists of the following: 

1. Motion of the snout upper lip dorsally and laterally.

2. Upper lip forms a “M shape” with Lateral to medial grasping motions of the facial vibrissae in the U2 region of the upper lip which extend maximally to reach the other side of the U2 region. At the same time there is also a motor motion L1 region of the lower lip downward as the lower jaw starts to open..

3. The vibrissae of the U2 region move caudally while the ones in the L1 region are fully extended as the lower jaw fully opens.

4. The vibrissae of the U2 region begin to extend laterally. Simultaneously the upper lip travels in a wave-like action laterally.

5. The U2 bristles move medially to complete a circular motion that sweeps vegetation into the side of the mouth as the lower jaw closes.

FEEDING TIME

Fast (613.7 ms (+/-8.73)

Picture of Manatee Vibrissae in Upper and Lower lips http://isurus.mote.org/hughbuffett/images/vibrissae.jpg

Manatees Biology Mechanism Illustration created by Michellie Hernandez

MANATEES LITERAL DESIGN:

Manatees literal design lesson: Form Illustration (view only link in citation):

Image citation: Created in BioRender. Hernandez, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/ejzlqz3

FORM: MACRO

• Element with "U" shaped unit (A) with bristles of various sizes arrange by size in 4 different regions (U1, U2, U3 and U4) of the unit. Each bristle has sensor and capable of motion.

• 2 separate units (B and C) with elliptical shapes are near, but separate from unit A.

Manatees literal design lesson: Process Illustration (view only link in citation):

Image citation: Created in BioRender. Hernandez, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/yl5lt8t

PROCESS:

Using all 3 units the element maneuvers floating objects above the surface of the water via the following motions:

1. Dorsal movement of unit A

2. All the bristles of unit A within the 4 regions are pointing downward.

3. Motion of unit A with downward pointed bristles acting like a rake to drag floating object.

Motion of both units B and C acting in unison to detach the floating object from unit A and all of its bristles.

REFERENCES FOR MANATEES BIO INSPIRATION

1. Lim J. (2017) Modified Whiskers Handle Food — Biological Strategy — AskNature. asknature.org. Published June 28, 2017. Accessed July 23, 2023. https://asknature.org/strategy/modified-whiskers-handle-food/ 

2. Manatee research with Hugh and Buffett. isurus.mote.org. Accessed August 3, 2023. http://isurus.mote.org/hughbuffett/pages/Research/tactile.phtml  

3. Hanlon, A. (2013) Manatees are super sensitive to touch :: Wetpixel.com. Published July 19, 2013. Accessed August 3, 2023. https://wetpixel.com/articles/manatees-are-super-sensitive-to-touch  

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSDQmeoKeVE 

5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awz7DJwQ14I 

6. Marshall CD, Maeda H, Iwata M, et al. (2003) Orofacial morphology and feeding behaviour of the dugong, Amazonian, West African and Antillean manatees (Mammalia: Sirenia): functional morphology of the muscular-vibrissal complex. Journal of Zoology. 2003;259(3):245-260. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/s0952836902003205 

7. Marshall CD, Huth GD, Edmonds VM, Halin DL, Reep RL. (1998) PREHENSILE USE OF PERIORAL BRISTLES DURING FEEDING AND ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS OF THE FLORIDA MANATEE (TRICHECHUS MANATUS LATIROSTRIS). Marine Mammal Science. 1998;14(2):274-289. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1998.tb00716.x 

8. Castellini MA, Mellish JA, eds. (2015) Marine Mammal Physiology: Requisites for Ocean Living. CRC Marine Biology Series. CRC Press; 2015:100-101.

9. Marsh H. (2022) Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Sirenia (Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals). Part of: Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals (7 books).; 2022.