Summer Olympics 2008 – Not Smooth Sailing

July 2, 2008

Algae woes hit China’s Olympic sailing host city, Qingdao, a port city that has been in upheaval recently. With the Olympics a few weeks away, a new problem has surfaced: A sea of blue-green algae is lying in thick layers along sailing routes to be used in the Olympic sailing competitions. Requiring at least two weeks and a minimum of 10,000 workers aboard 1,000 boats, the algae must be “relocated” to make way for the Olympic event.  Blue-green algae is often caused by pollution in the water.

Boat yards have been moved, industries relocated, and $850 million invested in transportation, parks, pollution controls and coastal green belts. Environmental problems such as the dust and filthy air in the Chinese capital of Beijing, and extreme heat and humidity, have created a cloud of concern over this year’s event.

The current crop of algae encompasses a 5,000 square mile area—including 32 percent of the coastal area set aside for the Aug. 9-21 sailing events, plus a closing ceremony on Aug. 23

Qingdao features European-style buildings and China’s best-known beer, Tsingtao, made at the local brewery. The marina at Fushan Bay features a newly-built glass & marble city center. The pesky algae blossomed around June 1 and has wreaked havoc for beach-goers. While some algae can produce toxins that may cause respiratory failure and other illnesses, officials have declared that there are no dangers here.

China has experienced other algae outbreaks, mostly on inland lakes, and primarily caused by pollution from industry,  farming chemicals and sewage.