9. Masazir Lake, Azerbaijan
Near Baku, Azerbaijan, Masazir Lake stands among the most unusual pink lakes in the Eastern Hemisphere. During various seasons, especially late summer when evaporation rates are highest, this natural salt lake has a unique pink color. Underground salt domes and the complicated tectonic history of the area define the geological development of the lake. Specific halophilic archaea that generate bacteriorhodopsin, a purple-pink pigment utilized in their energy generating mechanism, provide the pink hue. Since ancient times, the lake’s high salt concentration has made it a significant source of industrial salt manufacturing; the nearby area boasts unusual salt-tolerant plant species that have evolved to fit this harsh environment.
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