Enteromorpha prolifera

Overgrowing algae bloom at the surface of seawater is an environmental hazard to the coastal underwater biome. Surface algae overextension can block the entry of sunlight below the infected water region, creating a much shallower aphotic zone. The disappearance of sunlight can be fatal for the plants and organisms living below the surface that require sunlight. Phytoplankton photosynthesis will be heavily reduced due to the lack of sunlight which is caused by the overgrowing algae blockade. Insufficient primary production in an ocean biome is devastating for maintaining the local food web. Additionally, algal respiration is increased for such algal explosion in biomass. The lack of oxygen in the local water area is harmful for all living organisms. The algae washed ashore is also an environmental hazard during degradation by releasing noxious smell into the air. Accumulation of overgrown algae like U. polifera is not only harmful for the environment but also local underwater biome and tourism value.