Tourists swim in seawater covered by a thick layer of green algae on July 3, 2013 in Qingdao, China. A large quantity of non-poisonous green seaweed, enteromorpha prolifera, hit the Qingdao coast in recent days.
Swimming in slime —
Tourists swim in seawater covered by a thick layer of green algae on July 3, 2013 in Qingdao, China. A large quantity of non-poisonous green seaweed, enteromorpha prolifera, hit the Qingdao coast in recent days.
ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
For the seventh year in a row, monstrous quantities of green algae have sprouted in the coastal waters near Qingdao.
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For the seventh year in a row, monstrous quantities of green algae have sprouted in the coastal waters near Qingdao.
ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
This year's growth, covering 28,900 square kilometers (11,158 square miles), is the biggest outbreak ever recorded, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
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This year's growth, covering 28,900 square kilometers (11,158 square miles), is the biggest outbreak ever recorded, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
Tourists play at a beach covered by a thick layer of green algae on July 3 in Qingdao.
Swimming in slime —
Tourists play at a beach covered by a thick layer of green algae on July 3 in Qingdao.
ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
Chinese officials have blamed past algae outbreaks on unusually warm seas. But scientists say that agricultural waste, industrial pollution, and human sewage are often to blame.
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Chinese officials have blamed past algae outbreaks on unusually warm seas. But scientists say that agricultural waste, industrial pollution, and human sewage are often to blame.
ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
A file photo from the 2008 cleanup. A researcher says that algae does not typically cause health problems, but skin inflammation may be a risk. "If you were stupid enough to go in, I wouldn't go in naked," said Dr. Christopher Bolch, of the University of Tasmania.
Swimming in slime —
A file photo from the 2008 cleanup. A researcher says that algae does not typically cause health problems, but skin inflammation may be a risk. "If you were stupid enough to go in, I wouldn't go in naked," said Dr. Christopher Bolch, of the University of Tasmania.
Guang Niu/Getty Images