Rare 'marimo' algae balls found in Aomori lake

Rare 'marimo' algae balls found in Aomori lake

AOMORI, Japan - A girl looks at ''marimo'' algae balls in a fish tank at Aquarium Asamushi in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture, on Jan. 10. The greenish algae balls which have been found in Lake Ogawara in the northern Japan prefecture since last fall have drawn scientists' attention as it is rare for the algae to live in lakes such as Ogawara in which fresh and salt water is mixed. Marimos are a type of algae formed by many small strings of algae tangling together in a spherical pattern, forming a velvety green surface.

Rare 'marimo' algae balls found in Aomori lake

Rare 'marimo' algae balls found in Aomori lake

AOMORI, Japan - A girl looks at ''marimo'' algae balls in a fish tank at Aquarium Asamushi in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture, on Jan. 10. The greenish algae balls which have been found in Lake Ogawara in the northern Japan prefecture since last fall have drawn scientists' attention as it is rare for the algae to live in lakes such as Ogawara in which fresh and salt water is mixed. Marimos are a type of algae formed by many small strings of algae tangling together in a spherical pattern, forming a velvety green surface. (Kyodo)

Mystic algae balls grow faster than legend: researcher

Mystic algae balls grow faster than legend: researcher

KUSHIRO, Japan - A researcher checks one of the largest Akan marimos in Lake Akan in Hokkaido in an undated photo released by the Akan Education Booard. According to a study conducted by a group of marimo researchers at the board, the greenish algae ball in Lake Akan where the local legend says would take 900 years to grow to basketball size, apparently grows a lot faster than traditionally thought. The one in the photo is 31 centimeters in diameter. (Kyodo)