Seaweed has been claimed by Queensland researchers to have the potential of improving the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Seaweed comes into use of various purposes like livestock feed, human consumption and in everyday household products.

Also, scientists at the James Cook University said that waste water can be cleaned with seaweed because of presence of nitrogen and phosphorus in them in abundance.

"Seaweeds pick up nitrogen and phosphorus to reasonably high levels and they clean the water. That removes the nitrogen and phosphorous so the water can be released and it also provides a product so the seaweed has some value", said Rocky de Nys from the JCU's School of Marine and Tropical Biology.

Algae was used by the research team to get rid of industrial waste water of contaminates at a coal fired power station in south east Queensland, said David Roberts from the JCU's School of Marine and Tropical Biology. He added that a trial study at Tarong Power Station made it evident that they can actually sequent the different heavy metals released by these power stations.

This means, that water can be reused on site and can be potentially discharged as well, if contaminants can be brought below regulatory limits. Now, researchers have claimed that they have a tool to battle a major threat the Great Barrier Reef is facing.

Crown of thorns are known as reef-eating starfish and they are linked to algae that are created in water having too much nitrogen and phosphorus. So, removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from water by using seaweed will lead to destruction of crown of thorns from Queensland's Great Barrier Reef.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has said that a new patrol vessel will soon begin monitoring and protecting Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. The $5 million vessel will begin operations in May.