Dive into pink - seas, rivers and lakes of unusual colors. Amazing, pink lakes A lake with soft pink water

African nature is sometimes extremely amazing, so more and more tourists are striving to get to this continent.

Another miracle is pink lake Retba, located near being the capital of Senegal. From Cape Verde, you should head northeast to get to this place.

The reservoir got its name because of the unusual and amazing color, which is actually pink with an admixture of milk. The lake was named so by local residents belonging to the Wolof people.

Its area is small - 3 square kilometers, while the maximum depth is only 3 meters in some places.

Pink lake Retba in Senegal

Once on the site of Pink Lake there was a lagoon connected to the Atlantic Ocean, only the waters constantly washed sand, which led to the disappearance of the channel. As a result, there appeared salt Lake with pretty decent depth.

However, already in the 70s of the 20th century, droughts began in the country, which led to a constant and significant decrease in the volume of the reservoir, so the Pink Lake Retba eventually became shallow, while the concentration of salts in the water increased.

At the same time, the lake acquired its color, thanks to which it has unusual name and attracts travelers from all over the world. There are a couple of reasons why the color is the way it is:

  • increased salinity;
  • microorganisms.

Salt in water has such a high concentration that its indicator exceeds this parameter of the Dead Sea by one and a half times and is 380 g/liter. In this regard, any swimmer keeps well on the surface, it is almost impossible to drown in the Pink Lake Retba, rest on the water is really relaxing and relaxing.

Naturally, such a huge salinity of the reservoir has led to the fact that few inhabitants can survive in these conditions, therefore the main inhabitants are the oldest cyanobacteria - Dunaliella salina, which have been living on the planet for several billion years. Thanks to them, the shade of water is so extraordinary.

At the same time, Pink Lake is not always the same color, the color is affected by:

  • Times of Day;
  • cloudiness;
  • wind.

It is during windy weather that microorganisms are most active, at the same time they produce the largest number pink enzyme. In general, the color palette can be from light pink to deep brown.

The entire coastline of this colored lake is filled with small boats, which are not intended for swimming or fishing, but for the main local occupation - salt mining.

If a couple of decades ago, salt miners worked, standing in water only to the waist, now the main depth is up to the neck. Such an increase in the depth of the reservoir is due to the fact that the volumes of salt produced are extremely large - more than 20 tons per year.

This process of obtaining this important product is straightforward - every day local men go to Pink Lake, in its very center they plunge into the water with all the devices. Since salt is accumulated at the bottom, it is beaten off with hooks, removed from the liquid with shovels and placed in a boat. All this is done by touch, because the head is always above the surface.

Such fishing is dangerous, as salt water corrodes the skin, forming wounds that heal for a long time. The only way to protect yourself from this is with fat, so miners cover themselves with shea butter before diving.

Men's work consists in the direct extraction of salt from the lake, everything else is done by women, who are included in the process already from unloading the filled boat.

From the reservoir, salt is moved on the head, for this, about 25 kilograms of a wet product are placed in containers, which are carried in this way to a drying place on the coast.

The color of the salt changes during processing:

  • dark gray when mined;
  • more white when lying in the sun.

Salt remains lying on the shore in heaps until wholesale buyers come for it, until this moment a year may pass and more. This product is exported mainly to the countries of the Black Continent, sometimes it is also sent to Europe, where it is considered exotic.

Local Africans rarely use lake salt, most often they use sea salt in everyday life, but in restaurants they sometimes bake fish in it.

Salt workers live right on the shore of the lake, for them there is a small village in which frail dwellings are built from the available materials with their own hands. Usually residents of not only but also other African countries work here, because they pay good money for such work. Only the conditions are very difficult, so earnings usually last only a few years.

For visiting tourists who want to look at the pink reservoir, there are several hotels. To make your vacation memorable, we recommend:

  • swim in a boat on the pink water surface;
  • go on a jeep tour around the lake;
  • buy a few souvenirs sold here on the spot.

Photos of pink lakes seem like a good job in Photoshop. Indeed, there are many fakes on the Internet, but a handful of bubblegum-colored lakes around the world got their hue without the help of a photo editor filter. The unnatural color of lakes is usually the result of the interaction of microorganisms with salt water. In fact, almost all pink lakes in the world. Where are these lakes located? Australia has an impressive collection, but unusual lakes also located in South America, West Africa, Eastern Europe and Mexico. Some of these places are protected, others are very remote from civilization. Pink lakes serve as excellent natural attractions, although the salt water makes them the best option for summer swimming.

Here are some examples of the unique phenomenon of pink lakes:

Lake Koyashskoe, Crimea

Lake Koyashskoe, sometimes called Opukskoe, is located on the Crimean peninsula. The color of the water here varies from pink to red depending on the season. In spring, the pink color is well pronounced, and in summer the shade is darker and more saturated. Koyashskoye Lake is popular among local residents, but it is little known to tourists due to the current political situation between Ukraine and Russian Federation on this peninsula.

Why is Lake Koyashskoe pink? Like many salt lakes, it is filled with halobacteria, microorganisms that release a pink-colored protein when they absorb solar energy. Some also attribute the pink coloration to brine shrimp, which thrive in salty conditions. By the end of summer, a significant amount of water in Lake Koyashskoye evaporates, and salt remains along its coast.

Lake Hillier, Australia

Lake Hillier is located on Middle Island south coast Western. The water in the lake has a pink tint, and the color does not change, even if you draw water into a container. Hillier is surrounded by eucalyptus and sand.

Most people believe that Hiller's deep color comes from a combination of algae and salt-loving halobacteria. Other pink lakes change color depending on the season, the angle of the sun or the air temperature. Lake Hillier remains the same shade of pink throughout the year, thanks to the presence of algae (such as Dunaliella salina) and other micro-organisms. Unfortunately, tourists have to admire this reservoir from the air, since it is almost impossible to get to it by land.

Lake Retba, Senegal

Lake Retba is located on the edge of the Cap Ver Peninsula, in Senegal,. Sand dunes separate its waters from Atlantic Ocean. Retba is known all over the world as the former finishing point of the famous Paris-Dakar rally. The locals call it Lac Rose. Water has a salt content, which is sometimes compared to salinity. The pink hue is due to the presence of those known as Dunaliella saline.

The main industry here is the salt industry. About 1000 workers annually collect 24,000 tons of salt from the lake. The lake is easy to visit because it is only 30 km from Dakar, the capital and economic center of Senegal.

Pink lake in Las Coloradas, Mexico

The lake is a three hour drive from tourist city Playa del Carmen. The pink color of the lake is due to microorganisms that synthesize beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A that gives color to vegetables such as carrots).

The lake is located in a remote part of the Yucatan Peninsula. From the nearest tourist center kilometers of empty beaches stretch to the lake. Pink Lake is outside the small fishing village of Las Coloradas. Nearby there is a salt factory. Travel magazine Afar advises tourists visiting the region in winter and early spring to look out for large groups of migratory birds such as flamingos and pelicans.

Salt lake in Torrevieja, Spain

Pink Lake is located on mediterranean coast Spain, near the city of Torrevieja. It is located between the sea and two salt lakes, which helps to create one of the best places in the region. The rose waters here are believed to have health benefits.

During the migratory season, many flamingo birds can be observed in this place. They, along with other migratory birds, spend time here because of high concentration(artemia) in salt water.

Lake Masazir, Azerbaijan

Despite its unique hue, this lake is not located on tourist map, although it is located just a few kilometers from Baku, the cultural and economic center of Azerbaijan. To get to it, tourists must either hire a car or drive shuttle bus, and a few more kilometers to go to the lake. Pink is the brightest color in warm weather.

Like other salt lakes, Masazir is the site of an intensive salt industry. Workers mine salt in small areas. Industry is concentrated in the Masazir settlement.

Lake Natron, Tanzania

Lake Natron is located in the Arusha region, in the northern part of Tanzania, Africa. The same types of salt-loving microorganisms that color other salt lakes create shades of pink and red in Lake Natron. However, the lake is famous not only for its color. Nearby mineral springs feed it with a lot of sodium carbonate, which turns dead animals into stone statues. Photos of mummified birds that surfaced online a few years ago gave the place an ominous image it may not deserve.

Lake Natron sustains existence wildlife. The water is really ideal for the cyanobacteria that the long-legged birds feed on.

Laguna Colorado, Bolivia

Although it can be described as a "pink" lake, Laguna Colorado often has a red or red-brown hue. Salt algae and bacteria help create this color, but precipitation from nearby rocks also affects the color of the water.

Like some other pink lakes, flamingos are common here. A South American species of the James flamingo, found in the lake in large numbers to feed on microorganisms. Andean and Chilean flamingos are also present in Laguna Colorado. Minerals form other colorful lakes in the Bolivian high plains. For example, Laguna Verde contains deep emerald-colored water.

Hutt Lagoon, Australia

Hutt Lagoon is one of several famous lakes in Australia. Scientists believe that this reservoir was once part of the mouth of the Hutt River, but now the lake is separated and fed by salt water seeping from underground. Water evaporation is most intense during the hot summers of Western Australia. At this time, most of the lake may dry up and a layer of salt will remain on the soil. Even during the wetter periods of the year, the lake reaches a depth of only about a meter.

The pink color comes from algae that produce carotenoids. Like other salt lakes, Hutt Lagoon hosts a large population of shrimp.

Great Salt Lake, Utah

The Great Salt Lake is not known as "pink lake". However, since its salinity is almost 10 times higher, the lake provides ideal conditions for halophilic microorganisms. The salinity level of the lake varies: in the southern part, the water is less saline compared to northern part where only the most hardy microorganisms survive.

Lake Retba or Las Rose in Senegal is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful potassium permanganate lakes. It is located northeast of Dakar, the capital of Sinegal. The lake got its name in honor of special algae. Pink color is especially evident in the dry season. In addition, Lake Retba is known for its high salt content, which, like the Dead Sea, easily allows you to stay on its surface. The main source of income for local residents is salt mining on Lake Retba. The workers, forced to spend 6-7 hours in water containing about 40% salt, rub shea butter into the skin in order to prevent tissue damage.


Pink Lake Hillier in Australia

On the edge of the Middle Island - the largest island of the Recherche Archipelago in Western Australia, a fabulous pink lake is freely located, surrounded by secrets and legends. They discovered a magical reservoir in 1812. A feature of Lake Hillier is its unusual permanent bright pink color. In the 1950s, scientists tried to discover the red algae that turns lakes pink. The attempt was unsuccessful, so the color is still a mystery. The length of the lake is only 600 meters. A narrow strip of white sand, small deposits of white salt and dense eucalyptus forests separate the lake from the ocean.

Salt lake Torrevieja (Torrevieja) in Spain

Deep pink salt lakes - Torrevieja and La Mata - surround the seaside town in southern Spain. According to the World Health Organization, the region of these lakes is the most favorable for the life and health of the population and tourists. Bathing in lakes, the density of which is not inferior to Dead Sea, is of great benefit for the prevention and treatment of skin and lung diseases. Salt is also mined for export from the lakes.

Dusty Rose Lake in Canada

A unique pale pink lake is located in British Columbia Canada. The lake is little known and rather mysterious. The water in the lake is not at all salty, does not contain red algae, but is pink. The color of the water is explained by the amazing combination of stone dust from the glacier. Thousands of tourists have chosen this magical place for their travels.

Pink lake in Crimea

Not only the Wild West is characterized by pink lakes. In the Crimea, it turns out, there is also a similar unique body of water. Lake Koyashskoye near Cape Opuk in the Kerch steppe several times a year acquires a rich shade of rose. According to scientists, this is due to bacteria that acquire a reddish tint in the heat, Artemia crustacean, and also Dunaliella (single-celled algae). During the hot period here, stones and plants are covered with a salt film. The area of ​​the lake is 500 hectares, and the depth does not exceed a meter. Koyashskoye lake is the most salty in the Crimea. In addition, the reservoir is famous for its healing properties.

A pink lake is a lake that has a reddish or pink color due to the presence of algae that produce carotenoids (organic pigments). These include algae such as Dunaliella salina (Dunaliella salina), which is a type of halophile (halophile) green microalgae living in a particularly salty sea ​​water. Thanks to their pink color, these lakes are becoming more and more popular among tourists and photographers from all over the world.

This reservoir is located on the edge of the Middle Island (Middle Island), which is part of the Exploration Archipelago, stretching for tens of kilometers along the southern coast of Western Australia. The peculiarity of the lake is its bright pink color. The color of the water is constant and does not change if water is poured into a container. The length of the lake is about 600 meters. It is separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of land, consisting of sand dunes covered with vegetation.

For the first time people discovered an unusual lake in 1802. Then the British navigator Matthew Flinders decided to stop on the island on his way to Sydney. What was the surprise of the traveler when, among the dense forests of the island, he stumbled upon a pink reservoir. The lake is surrounded by white salt deposits and dense forests of tea and eucalyptus trees. In the north sand dunes separate the lake from the Southern Ocean.

The lake is very popular and tourists tend to get there, even passengers of planes flying over the lake take pictures of this miracle of nature.

2. Retba, Senegal

Lake Retba or Pink Lake is located to the east of the peninsula Cape Verde(Cap Vert) in Senegal, northeast of Dakar, the capital of Senegal. It got its name because of the color of the water in which Dunaliella salina algae grow.

The color is especially noticeable during the dry season. The lake is also known for its high salt content, which, like the Dead Sea, makes it easy for people to float.

There is a small salt mining business on the lake. Many workers who collect salt work 6-7 hours a day in the lake, which has a salt content of about 40%. To protect their skin, they rub "Beurre de Karité" (Shea butter, obtained from shea nuts harvested from the shea tree) into it, which softens the skin and prevents tissue damage. that was the lagoon. But the Atlantic surf gradually washed up the sand, and in the end the channel that connected the lagoon with the ocean turned out to be covered up. For a long time, Retba remained an unremarkable salt lake.

But in the 70s of the last century, a series of droughts hit Senegal, Retba became very shallow and the extraction of salt, which lay in a thick layer at the bottom, became quite profitable. At the same time, the water in the lake acquired a pink hue due to microorganisms that can exist in a saturated saline solution.

Amazingly colored water and charming boats completely cover a two-kilometer coastline Pink Lake, or Lake Retba, as it is called in the language of the Wolof people, the largest ethnic group in Senegal.

Besides them, there is no other organic life in Retba - for algae, not to mention fish, such a salt concentration is detrimental. It is here almost one and a half times higher than in the Dead Sea - three hundred and eighty grams per liter!

3. Salt Lake Torrevieja (Alina de Torrevieja), Spain

salt lake Torrevieja and the Mata Salt Lake are salt lakes surrounding Torrevieja, a seaside town in southeastern Spain. The microclimate created by the largest salt lakes in Europe - Torrevieja and La Mata, is declared one of the healthiest in Europe, according to the World Health Organization.

Alina de Torrevieja and La Salina de La Mata are the largest salt lakes in Europe.

A special type of algae grows in the water, which gives the water a pink tint. The pink color of Lake Torrevieja, caused by the presence of algae and salt, gives it a "science fiction" look. Just like in the Dead Sea in Israel, here you can also just lie on the surface of the water. In addition, it will bring great benefits for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the skin and lungs.

At the other end of the lake, salt is being mined and exported to different countries. Near the lake you can see a huge number of bird species.

4. Hutt Lagoon, Australia

Hutt Lagoon is depicted on the left side, and Indian Ocean- on the right.

Hutt Lagoon is an elongated salt lake located off the coast north of the mouth of the Hutt River in midwestern Western Australia. It is located in the dunes adjacent to the coast.

Hutt Lagoon was once the mouth of the 60 km (37 miles) Hutt River, but at some point in the prehistoric past, the river changed its course and the mouth remained isolated from both the river and the sea.

The city of Gregory is located between the ocean and the southern shores of the lake. The road between Northampton and Kalbarri, called George Gray Drive, runs along western edge lakes.

The lake acquired this color due to the abundance of the same algae that produce beta-carotene.

This lagoon is home to the world's largest microalgae farm. total area small artificial ponds in which Dunaliella saline is bred is 250 hectares.

The lake is 14 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide.

Hutt Lagoon is a salty pink lake that has a red or pink hue due to the presence of Dunaliella saline in the water. Algae of this species produce carotenoids, which are a source of beta-carotene, food coloring and a source of vitamin A.

5. Lake Masazirgol, Azerbaijan

Masazir Lake is a salt lake in the Karadag region near Baku, Azerbaijan. The total area of ​​the lake is 10 square kilometers. The ionic composition of water contains large amounts of chloride and sulfate.

Workers load salt into horse-drawn carts

In 2010, a plant for the production of 2 foreign ministries of Azeri salt was opened here. The approximate reserve of salt that can be extracted is 1735 million tons. It can be mined both in liquid state (from water) and in solid state.

Due to the increased content of sulfate, the water in the lake is pink

This pink lake, located in British Columbia, Canada, is quite unusual, little known, and possibly unique. The water in this lake is not at all salty, and does not contain algae, but it still has a pink color. The photo shows pink water flowing into the lake. The color of the water is due to the unique combination of rocks in the area (stone dust from the glacier).

Pink Lake Kwairading is located 11 kilometers east of the city of Kwairading (Western Australia). The Bruce Rock Highway passes through it.

The local population considers Pink Lake a natural wonder. At some times, one side of the lake turns deep pink while the other side remains pale pink.

Pink Lake is a salt lake in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It is located about 3 kilometers west of Esperanza and is connected to the east by a motorway. south coast(South Coast Highway).

The lake is not always pink, but the distinctive color of the water when the lake takes on a pink hue is the result of the green algae Dunaliella brackish, as well as a high concentration of brine shrimp. The lake has been noted as an important bird habitat by the international organization for the protection of birds and the conservation of their habitat.

And another wonder of nature: Pink Lake Field, Australia

This unusual landscape was captured from an airplane in western Australia. This field of pink lakes is located somewhere between the city of Esperance and Caiguna.

There are hundreds of small pink lakes on the field, and each of them has its own unique shade of pink. This is due to the fact that the concentration of algae and salt in each lake is different from all the others.

15.04.2013

A pink or red lake is a lake that has a reddish or pink color due to the presence of algae that produce carotenoids (organic pigments). These include algae such as Dunaliella salina, which is a type of halophile green microalgae that lives in particularly salty sea water. Thanks to their pink color, these lakes are becoming more and more popular among tourists and photographers from all over the world.

Lake Hillier (Hillier), Australia

Coordinates: 34°05′45″ S sh. 123°12′10″ E d.

Lake Hillier is a lake located on Middle Island - the very large island of all the islands and islets that make up the Recherche Archipelago in Western Australia. The lake is very popular and tourists tend to get there, even passengers of planes flying over the lake take pictures of this miracle of nature.

The peculiarity of the lake is its bright pink color. The color of the water is constant and does not change if water is poured into a container. The length of the lake is about 600 meters. It is separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of land, consisting of sand dunes covered with vegetation.

The lake is surrounded by white salt deposits and dense forests of tea and eucalyptus trees. To the north, sand dunes separate the lake from the Southern Ocean. Middle Island and the lake were discovered in 1812.

Hutt Lagoon, Australia

Coordinates: 28° 9"17.29"S sh. 114°14"23.99"E d.

Hutt Lagoon is depicted on the left side, and the Indian Ocean is depicted on the right.

Hutt Lagoon is an elongated salt lake located off the coast north of the mouth of the Hutt River in the midwest of Western Australia. It is located in the dunes adjacent to the coast.

The city of Gregory is located between the ocean and the southern shores of the lake. The road between Northampton (Northampton) and Kalbari (Kalbarri), called George Gray Drive (George Gray Drive), runs along the western edge of the lake.

The lake is 14 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide.

Hutt Lagoon is a salty pink lake that has a red or pink hue due to the presence of Dunaliella saline in the water. Algae of this species produce carotenoids, which are a source of beta-carotene, food coloring and a source of vitamin A.

This lagoon is home to the world's largest microalgae farm. The total area of ​​small artificial ponds in which Dunaliella saline is bred is 250 hectares.

Lake Quairading, Australia

Coordinates: 31°58"22.37"S sh. 117°30"18.92"E d.

Pink Lake Quarading is located 11 kilometers east of the city of Quairading (Western Australia). The Bruce Rock Highway passes through it.

The local population considers Pink Lake a natural wonder. At some times, one side of the lake turns deep pink while the other side remains pale pink.

Pink Lake Field, Australia

Coordinates: 33°51"1.01"S sh. 123°35"34.06" E d.

This unusual landscape was captured from an airplane in western Australia. This field of pink lakes is located somewhere between the city of Esperance and Caiguna.

There are hundreds of small pink lakes on the field, and each of them has its own unique shade of pink. This is due to the fact that the concentration of algae and salt in each lake is different from all the others.

Pink Lake, Australia

Coordinates: 33°50"43"S 121° 49"40" E

Pink Lake is a salt lake in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It is located about 3 kilometers west of Esperanza and is connected to the east by the South Coast Highway.

The lake is not always pink, but the distinctive color of the water when the lake takes on a pink hue is the result of the green algae Dunaliella brackish, as well as a high concentration of brine shrimp. The lake has been noted as an important bird habitat by the international organization for the protection of birds and the conservation of their habitat.

Lake Masazir, Azerbaijan

Coordinates: 40°30"29"N 49°46"21"E

Masazir Lake is a salt lake in the Karadag region near Baku, Azerbaijan. The total area of ​​the lake is 10 square kilometers. The ionic composition of water contains large amounts of chloride and sulfate.

Workers load salt into horse-drawn carts

In 2010, a plant for the production of 2 foreign ministries of Azeri salt was opened here. The approximate reserve of salt that can be extracted is 1735 million tons. It can be mined both in liquid state (from water) and in solid state.

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

Coordinates: 22°11′55″ S sh. 67°46′52″ W d.

Laguna Colorado is a mineral lake located in national reserve Eduardo Avaroa in southwestern Bolivia near the border with Chile.

The red-brown color of the water is due to sedimentary rocks, as well as the pigmentation of some algae growing there. Also in the lake you can find islands of borax.

The lagoon area is home to a large number of James's flamingos. Also here you can meet the Andean and Chilean flamingos, but in small quantities.

Lake Torrevieja, Spain

Coordinates: 38° 0"14.32" s. sh. 0°44"10.74"W d.

Aerial view of the Torrevieja Salt Lake from the Mediterranean Sea

Torrevieja Salt Lake and La Mata Salt Lake are salt lakes surrounding Torrevieja, a seaside town in southeastern Spain. The microclimate created by the largest salt lakes in Europe - Torrevieja and La Mata, is declared one of the healthiest in Europe, according to the World Health Organization.

The pink color of Lake Torrevieja, caused by the presence of algae and salt, gives it a "science fiction" look. Just like in the Dead Sea in Israel, here you can also just lie on the surface of the water. In addition, it will bring great benefits for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the skin and lungs.

At the other end of the lake, salt is being mined, which is exported to different countries. Near the lake you can see a huge number of bird species.

Pond in an old mine, Cyprus, Italy

Coordinates: 35° 2"10.01"N 33° 6"57.53"E

Not far from the Cypriot village of Mitsero there is a lake, the water in which is colored blood red. At first glance, it seems that instead of water, it really has blood.

In fact, the lake is not a lake at all, but a depleted iron ore quarry. It is the rich presence of iron that explains the rich red color of the water.

Dusty Rose Lake, Canada

Coordinates: 52°33"38"N 126°20"31"W

This pink lake, located in British Columbia, Canada, is quite unusual, little known, and possibly unique. The water in this lake is not at all salty, and does not contain algae, but it still has a pink color. The photo shows pink water flowing into the lake. The color of the water is due to the unique combination of rocks in the area (stone dust from the glacier).

crimson lake, Altai region, Russia

Coordinates: 51°40′31″ s. sh. 79°46′57″ E d.

Raspberry Lake in the Mikhailovsky district stands out with crimson water.

A distinct pink-crimson hue to the water gives a special appearance to small planktonic crustaceans living in the lake.

Especially bright crimson color near the lake in spring, although in other seasons it is noticeable.

Lake Retba, Senegal

Coordinates: 14°50′20″ s. sh. 17°14′04″ W d.

Lake Retba or Pink Lake is located east of the Cape Vert peninsula in Senegal, northeast of Dakar, the capital of Senegal. It got its name because of the color of the water in which Dunaliella salina algae grow.

The color is especially noticeable during the dry season. The lake is also known for its high salt content, which, like the Dead Sea, makes it easy for people to float.

Aerial photography of salt accumulations along the shoreline of Lake Retba

There is a small salt mining business on the lake. Many workers who collect salt work 6-7 hours a day in the lake, which has a salt content of about 40%.

To protect their skin, they rub "Beurre de Karité" (Shea butter, obtained from shea nuts harvested from the shea tree) into it, which softens the skin and prevents tissue damage.

Colored salt ponds in San Francisco, USA

Coordinates: 37°30"23.56"N 122° 1"40.79"W

San Francisco is famous for its colored ponds, flying over which delivers an indelible impression of what you see.

The reason for such beauty is banal - simple salt. These reservoirs are created for the extraction of salt.

The algae growing in them are the cause of these color effects. The palette of colors depends on the height of the salt level, more saturated shades are obtained with an increased salt level.

In addition, weather conditions can also make adjustments to the variety of colors. For example, the wind stirring the algae changes the color scheme, the rain, coupled with the wind, sometimes even lightens the water to its normal state.


Lake Natron, Tanzania

Coordinates: 2°25′S sh. 36°00′ E d.

Natron is a salt lake located in northern Tanzania, on the border with Kenya.

The lake has a depth of no more than three meters, and changes the coastline depending on the season and water level. The water temperature in the wetlands can reach 50 degrees Celsius, and depending on the water level, the alkalinity can reach a pH of 9 to 10.5.

Lake Natron is covered with a crust of salt that periodically turns red and pink. This is the result of the vital activity of microorganisms that live in the lake. The lake is home to millions of flamingos.

Lake Chott El Jerid, Tunisia

Coordinates: 33°42′ s. sh. 8°26′ E d.

Chott el-Jerid is a lake in the central part of Tunisia and a saline depression located in a series of depressions stretching deep into the Sahara from the Gulf of Gabes.

During the winter rains, Chott el-Jerid turns into a salty drainless lake with an area of ​​​​5-7 thousand km². In summer, when there is no precipitation, and the temperature often reaches +50 °C, the lake almost completely dries up, mirages are often observed.

The vegetation is sparse, with a predominance of halophytes; thickets of tamarisk and gorse are found near the waters. Along the edges of the depression there are outlets of artesian waters, around which there are oases, in which the date palm has been cultivated since ancient times.

In the 1970s, an asphalt road was laid through the depression along the crest of the constructed dam.

Lake Koyashskoe, Crimea, Ukraine

Coordinates: 45°2"54"N 36°11"4"E

Koyashskoye Lake changes its color several times a year. This is due to bacteria that become reddish in color during the hot season.

From above, during the dry period, the lake is covered with a thin layer of salt crystals. The silt deposits of the lake are therapeutic mud.

It is impossible to drown in Koyashsky Lake, since its depth does not exceed 1 meter. But you won’t be able to swim there either - the mud is very viscous.

Lake at the Sanetsch pass in Switzerland

The water surface is periodically covered with algae, which give an atypical color to the water.

Blood Pond (Chinoike Jigoku), Japan

Coordinates: 33°19"37.93"N 131°28"40.75"E

Blood Pond (Chinoike Jigoku) is one of the most famous sources of hot water - geysers, which is located on Japanese island Kyushu near the city of Beppu.

It got its name due to the fact that its water contains a large amount of iron oxide.

The color of the pond has a red tint, which is very reminiscent of blood to tourists, and that is why the hot water geyser was nicknamed "bloody". Geysers throw out more than 50,000 cubic meters of water per day, and over the lake you can observe vapor emissions from active volcanoes, which are located on the banks of the bloody pond.

Many legends are associated with the bloody pond, and in Japanese, its name means "Hell". One of these legends says that sinners were boiled in its waters. This is partly true - you can easily cook here, because the water temperature is about 100 degrees.