Reddish-pink patches in high-altitude snowfields like this one in upper Canyon Creek, Canterbury, are caused by blooms of single-celled algae, often Chlainomonas species. Although these species are green algae (Chlorophyta), they appear red or pink as they contain red pigments.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua
© Copyright image. All rights reserved. Permission from Manaaki Whenua: Landcare Research New Zealand Limited must be obtained before the re-use of this image.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou