Florida SEE Webinar: What’s That Smell? Smells of the Coast, and the Science Behind Them

What is that smell? From low tide funk to “spicy” red tide days, coastal odors are a familiar—but often misunderstood—part of life near the water. In this webinar, we’ll explore the science behind common ocean and estuarine smells along Florida’s coast, including decomposing seaweed, algal blooms, sulfur compounds, and salt spray. Participants will learn what causes these odors, when they’re a natural part of coastal systems, when they may signal environmental concerns, and how to safely respond if smells are accompanied by health impacts. This session will help ecotourism professionals and coastal residents better interpret their senses and use smell as a tool for environmental awareness rather than alarm. 

Presenter: Kate Rose is the UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent in Charlotte County. Despite growing up in New Jersey, Kate has been connected to Florida all her life—earning her SCUBA certification at age 10 in Key Largo. She moved down…