Algae Overload Threatens Olympic Sailing Course

Authorities in China are scrambling to clear a 13,000 square kilometre-wide algae outbreak that is threatening to mar Olympic sailing events off the coastal city of Qingdao.

The outbreak comes amid fears of another environmental disaster potentially spoiling the August games.

On Tuesday state media reported that thousands of pest exterminators had been deployed to the north of Beijing in an effort to stop a locust infestation spreading to the capital.

In Qingdao officials have ordered an all out push to clear the blue-green algae outbreak, but have warned it could take at least two weeks to remove the heavy vegetation.

The games are due to begin in only five weeks.

The forest of blue-green algae is choking coastal waters around the city, surrounding beaches and lying in thick layers along Olympic sailing routes.

China's official Xinhua news agency reported that the infestation includes 32 per cent of the coastal sea area set aside for Olympic events from August 9 to 21.

Wang Shulian, vice director of Qingdao's ocean and fishing bureau, told reporters on Sunday that the algae outbreak has no "substantial link" to environmental conditions or water quality.

"The algae is of various sorts, which will prosper under satisfying temperature and salinity of sea water,'' he was quoted as saying.