QINGDAO, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Large-scale algae blooms have been monitored in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea, according to forecasters.
The algae, enteromorpha prolifera and gulfweed, will drift northeastward over the next three days, according to the North China Sea Marine Forecasting Center of State Oceanic Administration.
Gao Song, a senior engineer with the center, said the algae were first detected from late April to early May and are growing. The algae have spread across an area of more than 28,000 square kilometers.
"The gulfweed observed this year is the largest ever. But it will not have a major impact on offshore areas of Shandong Peninsula," Gao said.
Since 2007, algal blooms that formed in the southern Yellow Sea have flowed toward Shandong Province, with some reaching beaches.
The algae are neither toxic nor harmful to water quality, but can lead to imbalances in marine ecosystems by consuming large quantities of oxygen. They can also jeopardize fisheries and tourism, as well as clog waterways.
