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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
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