Dubai Officials Warn Visitors As Red Tide, Dead Fish Wash Ashore - AFP

[hatrack]

Beaches in the Gulf tourism hub of Dubai have been plagued by a bloom of algae known as the "red tide" that has killed fish and is potentially harmful to humans, a municipality official said on Tuesday. "This is a natural fauna that goes into harmful algal bloom," said Mohammed Abdulrahman Hassan, head of the marine and wildlife section in the municipality's environment office.

The algae can cause skin and eye irritations as well as breathing problems for people, who should avoid swimming near it, Hassan said.

The algae, whose scientific name is Cochlodinium polykrikoides, absorb oxygen at a high rate, especially at night. Reduced oxygen levels can harm fish, and the algae can also kill them by clogging their gills.

On Tuesday municipality officials found algae near the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al-Arab Hotel, but Hassan said it was pointless closing sections of beach since the bloom was constantly on the move.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Harmful_red_tide_hits_Dubai_beaches_999.html

[Systematic Chaos]

1. I feel bad only for the wildlife and the enslaved workers.

The rest of Dubai can take a flying fuck at a rolling donut. :grr:

[sazemisery]

2. Red Tide is the least of Dubai's ocean problems

Just this morning I read an article on the real state of affairs in Dubai. Here, read it for yourself:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/the-dark-side-of-dubai-1664368.html

[opihimoimoi]

3. Dubai is fucked.....the econ has slowed, labor is down to slavery levels, ecology of region

is comped, projects lay unfinished, much misery there, pollution is a factor, denial from cronies is another cause, and the people have stopped coming....

From a 25$$ Million dollar grand opening to a fizzle....

They did it wrong.....used new ideas architectually but old ideas in systems to run it...

Project is in deep doo....they need help....

[pscot]

4. Sounds like a nice addition

to the oil, plastic and shit floating up onto the beaches. Guaranteed to bring in those tourist Dollars and Euros.