A large expanse of green algae is floating towards China's east coast, potentially threatening marine life and the region's tourism industry, an official and state media said Wednesday. The algae covers 130 square kilometres (50 square miles) off the eastern provinces of Shandong and Jiangsu, the Global Times said, citing a spokesman for the North China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration. An official in the forecasting department of the agency told AFP the size of the algae was "likely to turn out to be larger than that" reported by the newspaper, but "should be similar to regular years". Algae blooms are typically caused by pollution in China and suck up huge amounts of oxygen needed by marine wildlife to survive, while leaving a foul stench when they wash up on beaches. In August 2008, a large offshore algae bloom threatened the sailing competition of the Olympic Games when it engulfed waters surrounding the event's venue in the coastal city of Qingdao in Shandong province. Up to 10,000 soldiers and volunteers were enlisted to clean up more than a million tonnes of the foul-smelling algae as they raced to clear the waters in time for the Olympics. An algae bloom also hit Qingdao in the springs of 2009 and 2010. More than a thousand dry-weight tonnes of algae was cleaned up last year alone, the city government has said.
GMT 09:31 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
Over 100 endangered turtles hatch in SingaporeGMT 04:45 2018 Friday ,19 January
Microwave ovens are cooking the environment: studyGMT 12:28 2018 Saturday ,06 January
Bonobos prefer bullies over 'nice guys'GMT 17:42 2017 Wednesday ,18 October
N. Korea nuclear test site may be a 'Tired Mountain'GMT 19:57 2017 Wednesday ,06 September
Russian ecologists: Nord Stream 2 damages precious refugeGMT 03:12 2017 Monday ,04 September
NATO condemns North Korea’s sixth nuclear testGMT 19:41 2017 Monday ,14 August
Bear shot in Italy after attacking walkerGMT 11:01 2017 Tuesday ,08 August
Birthplace of Apostle Peter found in IsraelMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor