What is another name for lake Retba?
It is named for its pink waters caused by Dunaliella salina algae and is known for its high salt content, up to 40% in some areas….Lake Retba.
Lac Rose | |
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Lac Rose | |
Location | Cap Vert Peninsula |
Coordinates | 14°50′18.02″N 17°14′41.36″W |
Type | Saline lake |
What is unique about Senegal’s lake Retba?
It is one of the world’s saltiest lakes, with a saline level of approximately 40%. The lake’s distinct pink color is caused by an algae known as Dunaliella salina. Very few organisms live in the lake. The water body is used for salt production and as a tourist attraction site.
How was lake Retba formed?
Lake Retba was originally a fresh water lake up until the 1980s when severe drought caused a change in the composition of the water and allowed for people to start harvesting the salt. Unfortunately Lake Retba has become over exploited.
What is collected from lake Retba?
At Senegal’s Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose or “Pink Lake,” harvesters wade into one of the world’s saltiest lakes — even saltier than the Dead Sea — to collect 60,000 metric tons of salt per year. Salt is much more abundant in this lake versus the seas, according to Lake Retba expert Ndongo Guéye.
Do people swim in Lake Retba?
The Dunaliella salina bacteria which gives the lake its distinct color is completely harmless to humans and swimming in the lake is possible. Locals who work on extracting salt from the lake use shea butter obtained from the shea nut tree.
Why is Lake Retba famous?
Lake Retba is situated in Northwest Africa, in Cap-Vert Peninsula Senegal and lies 30 km northeast of the capital, Dakar. This lake is famous because of its unusual yet vivid naturally occurring pink color. The color of the lake is caused by the Dunaliella salina bacteria, which is attracted by the lake’s salt content.
Can you swim in Lake Retba?
The micro-algae is completely harmless to humans, which makes swimming in Lake Retba entirely possible. The best time to visit Lake Retba is during the dry season, which lasts from November to June, when increased exposure to the sun causes the bacteria to produce a vivid red pigment.
What makes Lake Retba pink?
Lake Retba or “Lac Rosa” in Senegal is one of the rich-algae sources in Africa. Lac Rosa, as it is understood from the name, is rose or pink in color because of the abundant halophilic archaea and “Dunaliella salina” micro-algae concentrations.
Does anything live in Lake Retba?
Not many living organisms are able to survive in Lake Retba because of its high salt content, so it serves mainly as a tourist point and for salt production.
Do any animals live in Lake Retba?
Few creatures can survive in the potent waters of pink Lake Retba except for very small fish, who have adapted to the super-salty environment. Because there are no fish to catch, Lake Retba is used solely for the purposes of harvesting salt and as a popular tourist attraction.
Is Lake Retba always pink?
The lake itself is not always pink, but when it is, its very beautiful with vivid range pink shades.