‘Floating rainforest’ appears on Texas beach, photos show. Don’t breathe too deep

Pinch your noses, beachgoers, there’s a “golden tide” upon the Texas coast and it’s not as pleasant as it sounds.

It’s also not particularly golden, based on photos shared by the Harte Research Institute, which show large swaths of a south Texas beach coated in brown and yellow plants.

“Massive amounts of sargassum seaweed are washing ashore along the Texas coast this week, piling up in thick mats along the beach,” the institute said in an April 30 Facebook post. “While it may look (and smell) a bit overwhelming, this floating seaweed plays a vital role in our coast.”

“So if you’re headed to the beach this week, expect a little seaweed between your toes,” the institute said.

The smell, an odor like rotten eggs, is the sargassum piles decomposing, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As the seaweed breaks down, it releases hydrogen sulfide, “which can cause respiratory irritation.”

But sargassum isn’t so bad, according to experts, we’re just seeing it at its worst.

It’s somewhat unique among seaweed in that it’s not rooted to the ocean floor, but instead floats like an island — and in this island, lots of sea creatures make their homes.

“Sargassum is like a floating rainforest — providing food, shelter, and nursery habitat for hundreds of species, from tiny shrimp to baby sea turtles. It’s part of a natural cycle that brings life from the open ocean right to our shores,” the institute said.

“It’s always amazing at how much life is within the seaweed, including crabs, shrimp, fish, sea slugs, and sea horses.”

Organizations such as NOAA track sargassum rafts like they’re storms, which is fitting since a big enough raft can cause devastation depending on when and where it makes landfall.

“Massive amounts of Sargassum can form brown tides nearshore, smothering fauna and flora — including coral reefs,” NOAA says, adding that important man-made infrastructure such as water desalination plants can also be damaged.

“Sargassum also contains high levels of arsenic and other heavy metals, organic contaminants, and marine debris,” according to the organization, and it’s not easy to get rid of. “Cleanup options are limited and costly.”

Despite all this, the pros outweigh the cons, at least as far as sea life conservation is concerned, according to NOAA, as the organization deems sargassum as “essential fish habitat” for several species.

The Harte Research Institute is in Corpus Christi, which is a roughly 140-mile drive southeast from San Antonio.