African lake turns red from high levels of salt

Workers make their way to Lake Retba daily in a bid to collect the salt and piles of it can be seen on the banks of the shores, the Daily Mail reported.

u00a0

u00a0

Like the world famous Dead Sea, swimmers can now lay back on the water and drift with ease as the salt content helps in floatation.

u00a0

"The strawberry colour is produced by salt-loving organism Dunaliella salina. They produce a red pigment that absorbs and uses the energy of sunlight to create more energy, turning the water pink," said Michael Danson, an expert in bacteria from Britain's Bath University.

u00a0

"Lakes like Retba and the Dead Sea, which have high salt concentrations, were once thought to be incompatible with life - hence the names. But they are very much alive," he said.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!