EVER wondered why some lakes look like strawberry milkshake? Does it give you an eerie feeling to take a dip in those lakes? Worry not, because the pink hue is caused by nothing harmful but salt-loving microorganisms that can survive in these lakes, which are particularly known for their high salinity level. In some pink lakes, with adequate light and heat, the halophilic green microalgae, Dunaliella salina, produces carotenoid, a reddish-pink pigment that contributes to the characteristic shades of pink.[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]
Other scientists suggest that the pink colouration is caused by bacteriorhodopsin, a pink-pigmented protein produced by halobacteria. Some of the well-known pink lakes include Tanzania’a Lake Natron, Ukraine’s Lake Koyashskoe, Azerbaijan’s Masazir Lake, Australia’a Lake Hillier and Senegal’s Lake Retba. Interestingly, Lake Retba has such a high concentration of salt crystals, of which are harvested by the locals there!
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