Mmmm greeeeeen...

[Junimaia]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/green-algae-yellow-sea-194125276.html

Quote:

Green algae in the Yellow Sea
By Mike Krumboltz | The Upshot – 19 hrs ago

Come on in, the water's . . . green. In Qingdoo, Shandong Province of China, the coastal waters are covered with algae called enteromopha prolifera. The algae is not poisonous and doesn't affect water quality, but there are concerns about how it may affect local sealife and whether it might spur a drop in tourism. Not everyone, it seems, wants to look like the Incredible Hulk while swimming.

So, what exactly is going on here? According to CNN, researchers aren't entirely sure what's behind the green invasion. One expert told the network that it's possible that the lush green algae plume may have something to do with "the change in the environment," but is mum when it comes to specifics.

Regardless, the bright green goop has inspired a slew of amazing photographs. In some photos, the algae, which now covers 200 square miles of the Yellow Sea, looks so thick that it resembles a fairway on a golf course. You can check out a collection of photos below.

Moar pics in the link above.

I'd totally swim in this just to say I did. Thoughts?  

[Szen]

Ewww. Green "red tide"?

Even if they aren't harmful to humans, they deplete the oxygen in the water and do a number on the wildlife there. sad  

[Ifailedmywillsave]

Heavens. I don't think I could bring myself to swim in it... but I would want to poke it with a stick. ...possibly a lot. ninja That's really not good for the ecosystem, though. I wonder if they have any plans to sort of... I dunno... maybe skim some of it off or something?  

[AquilaLiberum]

Szen

Ewww. Green "red tide"?

Even if they aren't harmful to humans, they deplete the oxygen in the water and do a number on the wildlife there. sad

I can see why you would think so, but red tides are caused by unicellular algae called dinoflagellates, while this phenomenon is caused by Enteromorpha, which is in a different group (the Chlorophyta), so it's not a 'green' tide. You're right though, in that it'll stop sunlight from reaching plants/photosynthetic animals near the seabed, and it'll probably reduce the oxygen concentration in the water.


(Can't you tell I'm just DYING to use that degree I have now?!)  

[DelightfulCatastrophe]

Ifailedmywillsave

Heavens. I don't think I could bring myself to swim in it... but I would want to poke it with a stick. ...possibly a lot. ninja

lol.. My thoughts exactly!  

[Szen]

Aquila15

Szen

Ewww. Green "red tide"?

Even if they aren't harmful to humans, they deplete the oxygen in the water and do a number on the wildlife there. sad

I can see why you would think so, but red tides are caused by unicellular algae called dinoflagellates, while this phenomenon is caused by Enteromorpha, which is in a different group (the Chlorophyta), so it's not a 'green' tide. You're right though, in that it'll stop sunlight from reaching plants/photosynthetic animals near the seabed, and it'll probably reduce the oxygen concentration in the water.


(Can't you tell I'm just DYING to use that degree I have now?!)

XD I bow to your wisdow, Qui.  

[[K!ng]]

They should just hire a sexy pool boy.

 

[Fashionably Late Bloomer]

eww...my first thought was swimming in green baby poop -, - . But I do wanna poke it. And maybe wade alittle  

[Lychee Fruit]

Yeah, I live on a bayou, where there are alligators. Last year I lived by the ocean, where there was stinky, revolting crimson tide. I wouldn't get in that water for five million dollars.  

[AquilaLiberum]

WHY ALL THE DINOFLAGELLATE HATE?! D<

(PS. I am a Zoology degree graduate, not just a random lunatic).  

[Szen]

Aquila15

WHY ALL THE DINOFLAGELLATE HATE?! D<

(PS. I am a Zoology degree graduate, not just a random lunatic).

A random lunatic who was that knowledgeable about such things would be pretty cool in my book too. XD  

[Annai-chansan]

1. I think "Why all the Dinoflagellate hate?!" may just be one of the best quotes ever

and

2. I'd poke it. And I'd take the stick and gather the green algae up so i made an algae mountain. Wonder if i compacted it enough if i could climb on it and be all like "i'm king of the mountain! ...of...algae"