According to a recent report, Senegal’s Lake Retba is on the verge of disappearing.
- Lake Retba, better known as Lac Rose (the Pink Lake), is located around 35km from the city of Dakar, Senegal.
- The lake is isolated from the sea by about 1km of sand dunes. Its fresh water comes from the seasonal water table in the dunes, which are higher than the lake.
- The lake’s waters are virtually devoid of life, with the exception of a few microscopic algae and bacteria.
- The pink coloration is due to the proliferation of halophilic green algae (living in a salty environment), Dunaliella salina, which contain red pigments.
- Today, salt accumulation poses several challenges for the lake, affecting both its southern and northern shores.
- Today, salt accumulation poses several challenges for the lake, affecting both its southern and northern shores.
