seaweed

What is sargassum, and is it harmful to our health? We answer these and other questions about the giant blob of seaweed that's making its way to the U.S. east coast.

Since 2011, a fleet of seaweed patches double the size of the contiguous U.S. has cycled from West Africa to Florida, threatening beaches from Martinique to Miami. This year, it could grow bigger.

Sargassum, a stinky algae, is choking beaches in Mexico and the Caribbean and wreaking havoc on the ecosystem — and tourism. From fertilizer to food, locals are experimenting with new uses for it.

By Carrie PinkardA dark mass stretches from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s slowly growing, and choking the life out of some marine animals.The…