There are some pink water lakesthat look like Barbie sets in the world. These natural phenomena occur in several countries such as Australia, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Senegal, Canada, Spain, United States and Bolivia and there is a scientific explanation for their occurrence.
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The phenomenon depends on the lake, which can have this situation permanently or sporadically. In general, “Barbie lakes” are the result of the presence of unicellular organisms that live in high saline environments and have pigments in their cells.
One of the pigments responsible for the pink color is betacarotene, which can vary in shades of orange, red, and pink. The presence of organisms such as the alga Dunaliella salina, which contain this pigment, gives the lakes their characteristic colouration. In addition, bacteria and other microorganisms with similar pigments also contribute to the phenomenon.
Not all pink water lakes are salty
However, there is one exception among the lakes mentioned: the Dusty Rose in Canada. Unlike the others, it is a freshwater lake that lacks the algae and bacteria that produce the pink pigment. Its color is due to the region’s rocks, which contain components that give the water a pink hue, mainly due to the particles carried along when the glaciers melt.
Despite their unusual appearance, pink water lakes are not victims of environmental crime and are not prohibited from entering. It is a natural phenomenon that cannot be attributed to intentional human actions.
However, since most of these lakes have high salinity, skin irritation can occur when swimming. However, as long as there is no pollution from external influences, there is no danger in using these waters.
It is necessary to distinguish these natural cases from situations where there is an artificial change in water color. An example of this happened in 2022, when a man dyed the water of a waterfall in Brazil blue during an event to reveal the baby’s gender. These actions can be harmful to aquatic organisms and are considered environmental violations punishable by fines and legal sanctions.