Abstract
Macroalgal blooms (Green tides) are occurring more frequently in many
regions of the world because of the combined effects of increasingly
intense human activity and climate change. In the last decade, the
world’s largest Ulva prolifera green tide has become a recurrent
phenomenon, appearing every summer in the southern Yellow Sea, China,
and it is getting worse. Green tides can hurt coastal tourism and
eradicate aquaculture and artisanal fishing. Eutrophication in nearshore
waters is the ultimate explanation for the explosive growth of the
macroalgal biomass, but the specific course of each nearshore green
tides is often complex and requires in-depth and extensive research to
develop effective mitigation strategies. It is becoming increasingly
urgent to prevent and control the bloom at the early stage, promote the
ecological virtuous cycle, and efficiently salvage and use these
valuable raw materials.