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2. The Role of Salt in Pink Lake Formation
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Though the link is more complicated than most people think, salt is absolutely essential in producing and preserving pink lakes. Usually containing salt concentrations between 20% and 40% - much greater than the normal 3.5% found in saltwater - these water bodies Halophilic, or salt-loving, bacteria and algae find ideal habitat in this hypersaline environment. The great salinity also raises water density, which makes swimmers almost unable to sink. On the lake bottom, the salt crystals create a reflecting surface that reflects sunlight back through the dyed water, therefore increasing the pink hue. Moreover, periodically changing salt concentration influences pink color intensity all year long.
