Why Does It Smell So Bad in the Keys?
Because of the chemistry of sediments, the majority of hydrogen sulfide produced remains there in dissolved form. An even smaller amount escapes to the atmosphere as sulfide gas, accounting for the rotten egg smell that sometimes occurs in the Keys and in Florida Bay.

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Consequently, why does it smell bad in the Keys?

That ubiquitous smell is decaying sargassum, islands of floating, brown sea algae that is piling up along the beaches of Key West, the Florida peninsula, Mexico and other Caribbean islands. Used to be the sargassum and the smell went away when the winds shifted. This summer we've gone from smell to stench.

Beside above, why does the Bay smell like rotten eggs? Hydrogen sulfide, the rotten-egg-smell compound, is a natural component of crude petroleum and natural gas. Bay Area authorities are looking at two instances of “flaring” at the refinery as possible causes of the stench. Without proper aeration, however, foul odors can crop up.

Similarly, it is asked, what is the smell in the Keys?

That poetic smell comes, in part, from a not-so-poetically-named sulfur compound called dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, a key player in ocean ecosystems and weather patterns.

Why is there so much seaweed in the Keys?

Historically, washed-up sargassum is one of the ways beaches were created in the Florida Keys, as the accumulation of seaweed along the shoreline helps to keep the sand from eroding and provides nutrients to help enrich the soil.

Related Question Answers

Is Key West dangerous?

In Key West, drug trafficking is a serious problem, as the area represents an easy route into south Florida. In other words, 98 percent of areas in the country are safer than this one, making it the most dangerous area in Key West and one of the most dangerous in the nation.

What does seagrass smell like?

What's that smell?: Unlike sisal, seagrass has a strong, basket-like smell that becomes especially pungent in humid weather or when a house has been sealed up for a while. This is a natural smell that is pleasing to many, but make sure you can include yourself in that bunch before you have it installed in your home.
Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

Culture, Media & Entertainment Columnist

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.