Largest algae bloom ever seen, washes up on beaches in China

 

July 9, 2013 – CHINA – More than 20,000 tons of bright green algae has washed ashore on China’s beaches in recent weeks, but there’s disagreement as to what caused the massive bloom. The algae began washing ashore about a month ago in the city of Qingdao in China’s eastern Shandong province, as it does every year. But this year’s bloom is estimated to be twice the size of 2008’s, when the Beijing Olympic sailing event was threatened by a similar bloom. The Los Angeles Times reports that so far this year the algae has covered an area of about 11,500 square miles, which is larger than the state of Massachusetts. Some researchers believe the algae is from seaweed farms south of Qingdao, which grow north on coastal rafts that attract algae. Others say it may be naturally occurring, or from fertilizer washed into the ocean from gardens, farms and golf courses. Generally, the plant poses no danger to humans, but it can produce a toxic gas if left to rot, the LA Times notes. – Huffington Post