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Beachgoers frolic in algae bloom in Qingdao, China

Beachgoers play in the algae that is 16 inches deep in some spots. A woman who answered the Qingdao Tourism Hotline on Friday said the traditional July 1 opening of the city's designated beach swimming zone had been delayed due to the algae bloom.

Beachgoers play in the algae that is 16 inches deep in some spots. A woman who answered the Qingdao Tourism Hotline on Friday said the traditional July 1 opening of the city’s designated beach swimming zone had been delayed due to the algae bloom.  (Jian Feng / EPA)

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Like a bright green shag carpet mutating uncontrollably, an algae bloom twice the area of Los Angeles County has engulfed the Chinese coast around the city of Qingdao and buried beaches knee-high in grass-like material.

Algae bloom in Qingdao, China

A man is draped in a mantle of algae after venturing in to the water at Qingdao. This is the seventh year running that Qingdao has lived up to its name, which means “Green Island.”  (ChinaFotoPress / Getty Images)

Algae bloom in Qingdao, China

A tourist rests on a pile of the algae that is piling up on the beach in Qingdao.   (Jian Feng / EPA)

Algae bloom in Qingdao, China

A Chinese beachgoer does his part to help clear the algae in Qingdao. Chinese netizens are actively offering suggestions about what to do with the stuff, including a recipe for algae guacamole.  (AFP/Getty Images)

Algae bloom in Qingdao, China

Beachgoers swim in algae-covered water at the algae-covered beach in Qingdao.  (AFP/Getty Images)

Algae bloom in Qingdao, China

Bulldozers and brigades of workers with pitchforks have been deployed to clean up the algae, called Enteromorpha prolifera, which began to appear a month ago. Though crews are hauling away hundreds of tons of the material per day, it’s unclear whether they’re even keeping pace with the growth.  (Wu Hong / EPA)

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