Giant seaweed tide visible from space threatening Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico beaches

A giant tide of seaweed known as "Sargassum", visible from space, threatens beaches in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The huge mass is growing every year and can have negative impacts on tourism and local ecosystems

The massive seaweed tide prompted a major clean-up operation (

Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A huge mass of seaweed in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean is so large it can be seen from space and is now threatening beaches.

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt stretches for 8,000 kilometers and could cause problems for tourism in Mexico and Florida, USA, as ocean currents push it landward.

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Brian LaPointe, a research professor at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, told NBC News that this year's algal bloom is of particular concern.

Despite alarming scientists for some time, LaPoitne said this year was "incredible" but "what we're seeing in satellite imagery doesn't bode well for a clean beach year."

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The seaweed, or sargassum, usually washes up around May, but the large amount this year means the beaches are already covered.

The problem has existed for years, but seems to be getting progressively worse.

The belt is 5,000 miles in diameter (

Picture:

Bloomberg via Getty Images)

While seaweed is good for the planet in terms of its ability to absorb carbon emissions and its uses as a renewable material, such amounts of plants near beaches are a big problem.

When it rots, it can cause a bad smell that harms tourism, as well as a reduction in air and water quality.

Brian Barnes, assistant research professor at the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida, added: "Even if used only in coastal waters, it can clog inlet valves for things like power plants or desalination plants, marinas can become completely flooded and...