Downtown Africa
Lac Rose (meaning Pink Lake) lies north of the Cap-Vert peninsula (cape) of Senegal, some 30 km (18 miles) northeast of the capital, Dakar,[1] in northwest Africa. It is named for its pink waters caused by Dunaliella salina (halophile green micro-algae). This alga produces a red pigment to assist in absorbing light, which provides energy to create ATP(Adenosine triphosphate). The color is particularly visible during the dry season (from November to June) and is less visible during the rainy season (July to October).
The lake is separated from the Atlantic Ocean only by a narrow corridor of dunes and it’s known for its high salt content, up to 40% in some areas, which is mainly due to the ingress of seawater and its subsequent evaporation.[3] Like the Dead Sea, the lake is sufficiently buoyant that people can float easily. The salt is used by Senegalese fishermen to preserve fish, a component of many traditional recipes including the national dish.
