Algae presents dilemma for dam plan

Chinese environmental protection experts warn that a dam under discussion may introduce a massive algae outbreak in the country's largest freshwater lake, and they suggested that the project be delayed until there is sufficient data to demonstrate its need.

During the weekend, a thick layer of blue-green algae was seen in Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province - an area adjacent to the Yangtze River.

Cheng Huiying, deputy director of the environmental protection bureau of Duchang county, where the algae outbreak was reported, said floodwaters following heavy rains upstream had pushed the algae into the lake.