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Published online 4 August 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.998
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Scientists identify algae that almost swamped the Olympics
Algal bloom may have been boosted by fertilizer run-off.
Among the striking images of China’s preparation for the Olympic Games, the most bizarre must surely be the giant bloom of green algae that struck Qingdao bay in late June.
The 13,000-square-kilometre slick of algae was cleared from the area, which is about to host the games’ sailing events, in a superhuman effort that involved 130,000 people and more than 1,000 boats, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
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This really made me giggle: "Even the most dedicated gourmand would have been overhelmed by this dish." But, if it really was so delicious, why did they have to bury it? An explanation might be given by the analysis of the plants composition. Thereby the exact species name is not so crucial. As mentioned before, such algal blooms can happen anywhere anytime if the conditions are right, meaning: a lot of phosphorus and nitrogen, sunlight and warm water. The difference in China is, that an environmentalist may end up in prison if he points out the real reasons as seen in the case of Lake Tai-Hu.