The scientist explained why the water bodies acquired such a color
Photo: Ivan Rusev/Facebook
In the national park “Tuzlivska lymany” in Odesa region, some small salty estuaries and lakes on the sandbank have acquired a bright amber color.
Ivan Rusev, director of the scientific research department of the park toldthat there are several reasons for this, but both are not dangerous, but completely natural.
Photo: Ivan Rusev/Facebook
Photo: Ivan Rusev/Facebook
Photo: Ivan Rusev/Facebook
According to the scientist, later, when the water warms up more and the concentration of salt becomes extreme, the color of the water bodies will change to bright pink and even red.
“Living open-air chemical laboratory” is caused by the rapid development of specific microorganisms that have adapted to life in extremely salty water.
The scientist calls the single-celled algae Dunaliella salina the main “artist” of water bodies. The plant has a green color because it contains chlorophyll. However, when the water temperature rises and sunlight increases, the algae begins to multiply actively, that is, to bloom.
To avoid harmful UV radiation and high salinity, Dunaliella salina produces beta-carotene. This pigment is also found in carrots, which is why they have an orange color.
Beta-carotene acts as an optical filter, absorbing excess light. Thus, in shallow water, plants protect themselves from destruction, receiving protection for chlorophyll and DNA.
“When billions of these cells are in the water, it takes on shades from yellow-brown to bright brick or even pink.
As soon as the salinity around increases, Dunaliella begins to synthesize a huge amount of glycerin inside itself. The concentration of glycerol inside the cell becomes so high that the internal pressure equals the pressure of the external pus. Water stops leaving the cell”– explained Ivan Rusev.
In addition, extremophiles live in such water – microorganisms that adore salt. They do not contain orange beta-catechin but have other pigments such as bacteriorhodopsin.
“The warming of shallow estuaries triggers their rapid reproduction, and the red and pink pigments from them, mixing with the greenish or yellow background of the water, visually give a dirty brown or rusty color”the scientist added.
Previously, in the natural environment in “Tuzliv estuaries” released five forest cats, which were found after the dead mother.
