Shocking photos emerge from Rio Olympic site

Chris Chase, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

More than 80 tons of fish suffocated in the Rio de Janeiro lagoon that will be used for Olympic rowing events in 2016, causing an ecological and olfactory nightmare in the Brazilian metropolis.

Earlier this week, heavy rains washed rotting algae into the Rodrigo de FreitasLagoon and depleted oxygen levels, killing the yellowtail, catfish, tilapia and sea bass that live in the waters. In some areas of the lagoon, the dead fish were so concentrated that it was impossible to see the water beneath them.

It took 100 municipal workers 48 hours to clean up the mess, which actually sounds quite impressive when you look at the scope of the decay.

The lagoon lies beneath the famous Christ the Reedemer statue that stands atop Rio. It will be used for the 2016 rowing events.

Multiple news outlets have referred to the lagoon as "normally picturesque."