The Red (Salton) Sea
The red pools of water here in Desert Shores, California are caused by red algae and bacteria that thrive in the area's salty, alkaline waters. The high salinity supports microorganisms like Dunaliella salina (a red algae) and Halobacterium (a bacteria), which produce pigments that give the water a reddish hue. These organisms are well-suited to the harsh conditions of the ponds, where evaporation and agricultural runoff concentrate the salts and nutrients, creating an ideal environment for their growth.
I shot these earlier today I my way back home from doing real estate photo shoots in nearby Borrego Springs.
Years ago there were plans to install pumps to circulate the water here, but the project was never implemented. :(
The Red (Salton) Sea
The red pools of water here in Desert Shores, California are caused by red algae and bacteria that thrive in the area's salty, alkaline waters. The high salinity supports microorganisms like Dunaliella salina (a red algae) and Halobacterium (a bacteria), which produce pigments that give the water a reddish hue. These organisms are well-suited to the harsh conditions of the ponds, where evaporation and agricultural runoff concentrate the salts and nutrients, creating an ideal environment for their growth.
I shot these earlier today I my way back home from doing real estate photo shoots in nearby Borrego Springs.
Years ago there were plans to install pumps to circulate the water here, but the project was never implemented. :(