Chris Mooney is a freelance writer and the author of two books, 
Just before the Olympic Games, a 5,000 square mile blue-green carpet has covered China's Yellow Sea.
The event is likely due to excess nitrates from pollutants like sewage and agricultural run-off, which can act like extra fertilizer for plankton. (Remember The Simpsons?) While Chinese officials blame warmer waters--and yes, it may potentially exacerbate the likelihood of algal blooms--that influence more likely serves to compound the effects of a bad situation.
While it appears this species is not toxic, impacts may still be severe. Algae can deplete surrounding waters of oxygen and result in dead zones where little survives. And it's not just bad for fish, but socioeconomic implications can ripple out from unemployment in fisheries to the price of dinner.
Reports of the large-scale clean-up are mainly focused on whether this disgusting muck will impede sailing in the Olympics, but I'm afraid that's not our biggest concern. I'm wondering why algal blooms are occurring around the world with increased severity and frequency than before...
Life Science
Comments
One nation's algal bloom could be another nation's biofuels feedstock. But, maybe I am getting ahead of myself; by twenty years, at least.
John McCormick
Posted by: John McCormick | July 2, 2008 9:30 AM
Another nightmare problem that needs to be addressed!
Posted by: Sciencefan | July 2, 2008 9:34 AM
This is another example of what happens when people don't comprehend exponential growth. I saw this YouTube video entitled Are Humans Smarter Than Yeast? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM1x4RljmnE It gives a very good explanation of the implications of exponential growth, and why it is so difficult to convince people there is a problem when it is still manageable.
Posted by: CLM | July 2, 2008 11:19 AM
Like John, I can't keep from thinking this stuff should be harvested for biomass. Or perhaps buried to sequester the carbon.
Posted by: bigTom | July 2, 2008 11:36 AM
Judging from that picture, that body of water should be renamed the Chartreuse Sea.
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler | July 2, 2008 11:43 AM