Lake Retba

Lake Retba, Sengal's pink lake changes color depending on the time of day varying from a light purple to a deep scarlet pink. "The strawberry color 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," (Michael Danson). The color is particularly visible during the dry season*.

Lake Retba's salt content is very high, as much as 40%, which is almost one and a half times higher than in the Dead Sea. Since the 70's', local residents have been mining the lake for its salt, which they use mainly to preserve fish. Waist-deep in water, the men scrape the bottom of the lake to harvest this universally useful mineral. The salt is then taken back to shore where its sectioned off into small mounds*.

*Lake Retba - Senegal's pink lake