Abstract

This presentation explores the multifaceted research conducted at the National University of Mexico on the influx of sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean. The research aims to develop an early warning system by integrating satellite detection, physical and numerical modeling, and on-site monitoring. Local community involvement through citizen science and educational initiatives is also part of this work. The presentation will delve into the challenges encountered in each research phase and illustrate how sargassum blooms highlight Earth's systems' adaptation to human-induced changes as we work to mitigate and adapt to these shifts.

Short bio

Christian M. Appendini is an Oceanographer with an M.Sc. in Coastal Oceanography from the Autonomous University of Baja California and a Ph.D. in Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Before academia, he worked as a coastal engineering consultant in Denmark, Spain, and the USA. He is currently a Professor at UNAM in Yucatan, where he integrates physical and numerical modeling with fieldwork and community engagement to address the sargassum influxes in the Caribbean and studies the impacts of extreme events and coastal hazards in a warming climate.

What is an AIAS Seminar?

The AIAS Seminar Series is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellows, AIAS Visiting or Tandem Fellows or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, a fellow will present and discuss her/his current research and work-in-progress to an interdisciplinary audience for 30 minutes, closing off with 30 minutes for questions, comments and discussion.

All seminars are in-person and held in English. To attend online, please contact Sofia Bentsen at sofia@aias.au.dk by 9:00am on the day of the semimar as the latest to request a link.