If you've walked along Ipswich Waterfront then you may have noticed the water has turned a funny colour. 

To some, it might even look like someone has docked boats on a field of grass. 

So what has caused Ipswich docks to turn green?

Dr Nick Tucker, a microbiologist at the University of Suffolk, said: "Given the amount of rainfall and flooding caused by Storm Babet, it's likely that excess nutrients from agricultural run-off and overwhelmed sewage systems have caused an algal bloom."

Read More: What was the 'train of lights' in the Suffolk sky last night?

Ipswich Star: A man clearing up rubbish looks like he's trying to scoop up the algaeA man clearing up rubbish looks like he's trying to scoop up the algae (Image: Alan Pawsey)

Algae refers to a group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis, which is the process where plants convert sunlight into energy. 

Thick layers of algae, called algal blooms, like what is seen in Ipswich Docks can be caused when nutrients build up in the water.