Xiechi Lake

About

Xiechi Lake, also called Yuncheng yanchi (Yuncheng Salt Lake) is the largest natural lake in Shanxi in Northern China. It is a saline lake used for production of salt. In the summertime intense light and heat cause the algae Dunaliella salina to produce carotenoids as a protection against free radicals, due in turn to high metabolism. This turns the salt pans brilliant shades of violet, scarlet, magenta, and emerald (see photo in reference).

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.