This northward-looking view of Lake Grassmere shows the pink crystallisation ponds prominent in the foreground. Their coloration has two causes. First, the normally green micro algae (Dunaliella salina) that live in the brine form a red pigment known as haematochrome in high salt concentrations. The same algae give the Red Sea its name. Second, tiny pinkish-red shrimps (Artemia franciscana) – more commonly known as ‘sea monkeys’ – also inhabit the brackish waters. These small creatures are found in solar salt works all over the world.
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