No really, that's its colour! No, i didn't take a weekend trip to Mars. For any fans of arid or semi-desert regions, a bright pink lake might not seem that out of place. But for the uninitiated, it's weird, man!!Pink salt lakes and playas, and the bright red evaporation ponds of salt 
recovery plants along their shores, are among nature's most remarkable biological phenomena, and occur in arid regions throughout the world. The red colouration is caused by astronomical numbers of microscopic, unicellular organisms living in the water and salt crust. But just because it's all scientific and stuff, doesn't make it any less freaky!
recovery plants along their shores, are among nature's most remarkable biological phenomena, and occur in arid regions throughout the world. The red colouration is caused by astronomical numbers of microscopic, unicellular organisms living in the water and salt crust. But just because it's all scientific and stuff, doesn't make it any less freaky!Oodles of salt is "farmed" near the town of Masazir, a satellite suburb of Baku in Azerbaijan. The lake seems systematically divided into
tiny "plots" where locals collect the salt from the lake. The collected salt is then sent off to be refined, where it could very well end up on your local restaurant table. Yummy!! The red colour of the lake can only really be seen on the hottest of summer days, otherwise the little organisms which cause the display are sleeping (or something like that). Luckily it was 35 degrees and super sunny when i went. Although i was told that it can get even redder.
tiny "plots" where locals collect the salt from the lake. The collected salt is then sent off to be refined, where it could very well end up on your local restaurant table. Yummy!! The red colour of the lake can only really be seen on the hottest of summer days, otherwise the little organisms which cause the display are sleeping (or something like that). Luckily it was 35 degrees and super sunny when i went. Although i was told that it can get even redder. Getting to the lake can be a bit of a struggle. Even though it's only 20 minutes outside Baku. Bus #225 from Memar Ajemi metro station goes to the village of Masazir. From there it's a 2km+ unshaded walk to the lake. Although the far side of the lake, another 5km along, is better. I'm sure a taxi could be arranged, but I don't know how much.
5 comments:
I definitely want to visit this lake. Very cool!
Totally worth the visit. Best done in the summer, on a hot sunny day in the late afternoon. It needs to soak up the UV rays to turn red.
am here right now its freezin its december an it is as red as the pics you have there its crazy
Yes guys, I am from that town, it is like that for sure, and depending on from which direction wind blows it changes the color. usually there is northern wind and it is usually pink closer to red, but when there is southern wind it turns to violet color. I agree that hotel and other infrastructure in Baku is not good but you may go and see the lake in Masazir. And there is another lake very close to that lake which is usually yellow :) you r welcome to ask questions if u wanna travel there :)
Yeah those bacteria are called "halophiles" (salt lovers). They appear in any place where they farm salt! I saw similar pink pools in Bon Aire.
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