Joan E. Mathias' - Gardenjems
  • Gardenjems
  • About
  • Contact

The Lesson of Seaweed

3/27/2023

Comments

 
Picture
​Never do I cease to be amazed at the variety and detail of God's creation. Recently, my curiosity about seaweed was peaked when I saw piles of it on the South Florida beaches.  Seaweed is made up of thousands of macroscopic, multi-cellular marine algae. It comes in colors of red, green, gold, and brown and is found in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Each specie has a specific purpose in the oceans of the world. However, when their environment is adjusted, they may damage the life around it. Such is the case for a type of seaweed called sargassum, a free-floating brown seaweed. Since 2011 this specie has inundated the Caribbean and Florida coastlines in such a mass that it has a negative effect on the coastal environments. In large quantities, this particular seaweed strips oxygen from the water and kills fish and seagrasses that offer habitat for many species. It also smothers shallow coral reefs and reduces the amount of sunlight that shines on the plants that need it.
 
You may ask what causes this phenomenon. Scientists have discovered three likely causes: (1) Saharan dust clouds that land on the surface of the water whose content is rich in iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus encourage large bloom and subsequent growth in the algae. (2) Warming temperatures also create an environment for growth. (3) Rising nitrogen levels caused by the human footprint is a growth enhancer. Scientists have discovered that large amounts of fertilizer flows from the Amazon River and then to the oceans. Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University discovered this problem area and one along the Mississippi River that dumps into the Gulf of Mexico.
 
At the present time, there seems to be no good way to dispose of the great volumes of seaweed being deposited on the shore lines. Some of it can be plowed under the sand to help stabilize the beaches. In Ft. Lauderdale it is collected, washed to remove the salt, and converted into fertilizer or mulch. When we look at other species of seaweed we should keep in mind that it is beneficial as habitats for fish and other marine life. In some countries, seaweed is used for food and even produced on farms. In addition, it can be used in the production of medicines, fertilizers, cosmetics and paint. Many varieties, especially kelp, have life-giving qualities in that they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
 
I know that God created every creature and its habitat with a plan and a purpose. All creation is to work together for the good of humankind and for the glory of the Lord. We see, however, that humans have not done a good job of caring for creation. Psalm 24:1-2 says, "The earth is the Lord's and all of its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." (NKJV) Seaweed is meant to be a blessing to the creatures who live in and around it. It stands as an example of a small part of creation that can have a major impact in the world for good or evil. We too can impact the world around us for good or evil. Let us be declarers of truth and agree with the Psalmist when he says, "Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and all that move in them." (Psalm 69:34)
Comments

    Joan E. Mathias

    Categories

    All
    Authority In Jesus
    Celebrations/Holidays
    Foundation Of Our Nation
    Hebrew Calendar/Celebrations
    Intimacy With God
    Israel/Jewish People
    Kingdom Living
    Music
    Nature
    Revival
    Roots Of Our Christian Faith
    Victory In Christ

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos from BPPrice, joncutrer, kennethkonica, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, GollyGforce - Living My Worst Nightmare, ohitzanna, AlicePopkorn2, slgckgc, Chris_Short, homethods, PrincessAshley, Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, donald judge, Branson Missouri, slgckgc, David A Mitchell, Martin Pettitt, homethods, toptenalternatives, llamnudds, mikecogh, Martin Pettitt, kun0me, mareeshastar, A_Peach, Boris Kukushkin, cantanima, Renaud Camus, Accretion Disc, teofilo, Dushan and Miae, bertknot, Ellemgee Photography, Robert Couse-Baker, Oh Paris, peter.tully64, Patricia Pierce, http://globalquiz.org, *_*, markus spiske, Rob.Bertholf, blondinrikard, archer10 (Dennis), Art4TheGlryOfGod, Arran Bee, James St. John, blumenbiene, Like us on Facebook at CAGuard, Kanguru Adventure, USDAgov, hassage, Vironevaeh, Rick Camacho, Rennett Stowe, Accretion Disc, alexander.parsalidis, Infomastern, Actual Brian Crawford, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, grongar, pburka, James St. John, daspader, Giuseppe Milo (www.pixael.com), gitsul., Traveller-Reini, slgckgc, xiquinhosilva, Bernt Rostad, EinarMostad, afunkydamsel, byzantiumbooks, drewgstephens, Rod Waddington, BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives, Antonio Calero Garcia, Leimenide, idovermani, Kaarina Dillabough, Janitors, Somuchtwosay, michael_swan, Joey Z1, cristina.sanvito, Wonderlane, cliff1066™, Elekes Andor, Vincent_AF, DonkeyHotey, @jbtaylor, Jason Rosenberg, ian?, Ian W Scott, markbyzewski, cowbite, Infomastern, homegets.com, chrismetcalfTV, wuestenigel, timpeartrice, David Jones, Randy Son Of Robert, jimw7, Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon, Rachel-Esther, runneralan2004, hedera.baltica, CaliforniaDFW, spbda, itmpa, Sir, Rony, slgckgc, Boston Public Library, oliver.dodd, slgckgc, barnimages.com, fbaett, Oli-Oviyan, Robert Couse-Baker, hello-julie, blmurch, Lonni.besançon, DPP Business and Tax, Ervins Strauhmanis, Rylee Isitt, kuhnmi, Björn S..., Laurie Nature Bee, samsaundersleeds, Waiting For The Word, Bananenfalter, plantronicsgermany, Mark Wordy, JoanDragonfly, Lodo27, aaron_anderer, x1klima, Photography by Brian Lauer, amseaman, emiliechenphotography, Mangiafazula07, 津山市立図書館 Public Library of Tsuyama, Rob.Bertholf, slgckgc, srqpix, pburka, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, Christine Wagner, Jaykhuang, sonstroem, Sam Howzit, C Jill Reed, John.P.Rairdon, Steenbergs, MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife, FotoGuy 49057, Neeta Lind, cattan2011, wuestenigel (CC BY 2.0), D. Scott Taylor, The Travelling Bum, South African Tourism, claydevoute, Skley, Pedro Paulo Palazzo, alexliivet, JIRCAS, pasa47, blumenbiene, *_*, susieq3c, ishaandave1991, Me in ME, slashvee, mutovkin, kcxd, TravelBakerCounty, wuestenigel, Don & Janet Beasley, Schneidersphotography, Panegyrics of Granovetter, Eusebius@Commons, USDAgov, edenpictures, slgckgc, Ninara, Carly & Art, elmetatron, slgckgc, BadSoull, NathalieSt, Humphrey King, Mark Berbezier, New York National Guard, rjhuttondfw, Oddernod, Javcon117*, ShaluSharmaBihar, Tomas Sobek, kennethkonica, Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, torbakhopper, Doolallyally, Ruben Holthuijsen, Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, strickwerk, kuribo, Ryan Dickey, NIAID, BLM Oregon & Washington, Ian B-M, Joanne Goldby, watts_photos, szeke, © Axel Naud, martinjhoward2, Infomastern, CharmaineZoe's Marvelous Melange, Julia Manzerova, Ivy Nichols, zeevveez, idovermani, gemafv85, Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, Tim Green aka atoach, Kurdishstruggle, Leimenide, Rawpixel Ltd, Leonard J Matthews, archer10 (Dennis), slgckgc, Rich Moffitt, yagoubassem, Kurayba, Waiting For The Word, David Rosen Photography, Patrick Feller, theilr, DVIDSHUB, scarlett.photo, Theo Crazzolara, Terry Madeley, Larry Lamsa, BSheryl, G. Lamar, Bob n Renee, fishhawk, yourbestdigs, onnola, BSheryl, Mike Tewkesbury, Jeff to the Maxx, Tambako the Jaguar, denebola2025, Jaykhuang, Kurayba, PsJeremy, Kitty Terwolbeck, Renaud Camus, sashafatcat, rvmendez94, CarbonNYC [in SF!], quinet, archer10 (Dennis), jikatu, Elvert Barnes, USDAgov, rejohnson71, hyacinth50, Brian's Eye, jhm, kahunapulej, Time.Captured., Natalia Medd, archer10 (Dennis) 133M Views, Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon, mikecogh, wmrice, TrishaLyn, Rennett Stowe, futureshape, Nick_Rowland, Symzie, Tobyotter, Syuqor7, Giåm, Markus Grossalber, Homini:), SIM USA, tedeytan, FC Pavel, kellyv, quinn.anya, Bex.Walton, Always Shooting, Dmitry Karyshev, Thragor, roovuu, darylhoadley, lovecatz, Tim @ Photovisions, miketnorton, blachswan, ViewPix69, geonheekim, Yngvar, David Paul Ohmer, manhhai, FotoFyli, verchmarco, stevendepolo, Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, Gigi Ibrahim, Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea), wuestenigel, DBduo Photography, NYCMarines, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, mikecogh, Bartosz Brzezinski, philwirks, oddharmonic, guillenperez
  • Gardenjems
  • About
  • Contact