Red Coloration in Salt Marshes
August 11, 2022
Photographer: Denis Huber
Summary Author: Denis Huber; Jim Foster
The photo above shows a "red" salt marsh as seen along the Mediterranean coast, near Aigues-Mortes, France. The beginning of the summer season is often the best time to observe pink and red color in waterways here. The obvious coloration is caused by the marsh’s microscopic algae, which produce the pigment beta-carotene. Evidently, as the water temperature rises, if the salt content is high, the water will redden as algae reproduce. Photo taken on May 27, 2022.
Aigues-Mortes, France Coordinates: 43.54833333, 4.18055556
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