[myshpa]

https://dcnanature.org/sargassum-fertilizer/

... found that vegetables grown in soil enriched with sargassum had higher levels of arsenic and cadmium, heavy metals that can be toxic to humans and animals. Researchers warn that sargassum should not be used to compliment animal fodder, nor used as a fertilizer for consumables until further investigated.

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/15/1163385168/sargassum-seaweed-...

... we're finding [sargassum] can contain heavy metals, including arsenic. It has fairly high concentrations of the toxin," he said. "There's a concern that, through leaching, that could impact groundwater."

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230622-what-is-causing-...

Another interesting thing we discovered is a set of genes called 'zot' genes, which causes leaky gut syndrome," says Mincer. The toxins produced by bacteria carrying these zot genes increase the permeability of the intestinal tract, leading to a range of symptoms including chronic diarrhoea.

[obblekk]

In fairness, they are using the decomposed soil to line streets (I'd guess medians which have grass) and people's lawns.

Distributing to farmers would be terrible, but it seems like distributing near roadways is exactly the right move given that land is already unsafe to eat from due to car pollutants.

The metals are already there in the moss. Is it better to decompose on the beach, throw into a landfill, or recycle into ornamental land use?

[jjkeddo199]

Farmed seaweed might have different properties than seaweed harvested directly from the ocean. It could be safer in controlled environments.

[xyst]

Wow, how can a city not do their due diligence on this?

Literally poisoning the people they serve.

[warricksothr]

The article says the soil mixture is available to residents and being used by the city to restore damaged boulevards. None of this is being communicated as being sold to farms for growing produce.

It seems like they probably are doing due diligence and they’re not poisoning the people they serve.

They talk about the city using it for fill soil on their site. They do have a picture suggesting it might be usable in a garden but that’s it.

https://gyr.fortlauderdale.gov/greener-government/natural-re...

I suggest if you’re concerned that you email them and let them know not to suggest using it for gardening.

[fred_is_fred]

It's not like the city created this. It's already in the water and and on the beach.

[frankfrankfrank]

Because cities are run by people and out whole civilization’s incentives structure has been turned upside down and inside out for at least 100 years now. When there are Not only no consequences, but also immense rewards and any few consequences are simply calculated into the operating budget, it leas to all these types of things we see today all across the western world where corruption, fraud, public plunder, and degeneracy are rampant and well being the house of cards down in some period.