Seaweed causes smelly problem on Sydney beaches ahead of heatwave
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Large amounts of seaweed are washing up on Sydney's beaches, causing issues ahead of a heatwave later this week.
The usually golden sands of Dee Why Beach on the Northern Beaches have been covered with the green weed, and it could now be a problem for beachgoers and the local community.
When seaweed is left exposed in warmer weather, it decomposes faster. This means hydrogen sulfide gets released into the air, which has an unpleasant rotten egg-like smell.
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Whilst the mild weathermeans it hasn't reached this state yet, a heatwave set to hit Sydney this weekend could cause a smelly problem for beaches like Dee Why.
The clumps of seaweed are up to 1.5 metres thick in some places, and councils are unwilling to move it due to the importance of the weed to the ecosystem.
Seaweed can provide fresh habitat and food for wildlife, and also helps give sand important nutrients.
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In the past, some councils have used tractors to clear seaweed that has formed on the beach in such a manner.
Should it remain, it will keep beachgoers away from beaches on a hot weekend, with temperatures soaring to 39 degrees on Saturday.
Local business owners are now concerned the rotting seaweed will keep customers away on what would normally be a profitable weekend for them.
It will reach 32 degrees in Dee Why on Thursday and Friday, before shooting up on Saturday. Cooler weather and showers on Sunday and Monday may cause the seaweed to clear from the beach naturally.
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