Scientists are working hard to solve the fascinating mystery of the “sea clouds” around the Bahamas. Even artificial intelligence hasn’t provided answers yet
It’s a big scientific mystery, although we’ve known about it for almost 100 years – in the pristine blue Atlantic off the Bahamas, large milky-white streaks appear, reminiscent of clouds that have mistaken the sea for the sky. Although this phenomenon has been known for a long time, scientists still don’t know what could be causing it.
The “sea clouds” off the Bahamas are clearly visible from airplanes and even better from satellites. Their occurrence varies over the years and its cyclicality cannot be ruled out. The phenomenon was intense, for example, in the spring of 2015, when a large number of “clouds” formed, covering an average of 350 square kilometers. In 2020, it was only about 25 square kilometers. The duration of this phenomenon is very variable – sometimes it appears for only a few days, sometimes it lasts for several months.
Experts are trying to figure out this mystery. We have known for some time that the “clouds” are actually suspensions of very fine particles of calcium carbonate. But it is not clear where these particles come from. Some divers believe that it may be a mechanical process that breaks down calcium carbonate on the ocean floor, most likely on the submerged limestone platforms of the Bahamas Banks. Others believe that it may be the result of a marine “algal bloom” or some other biological process.