This Weeks Winner: javier.izquierdo
Week #91: 05/18 - 05/24
Photo: Great Salt Lake, UT
Like the Best: The colors turned out to have an otherworldly intensity
Camera: Kodak DX4530 Zoom.
Like the Least: The unfortunate tilt.
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The Great Salt Lake, second in salinity only to the Dead Sea, was believed to be as 'dead' until very recently. However, halophilic microorganisms strive in these environments having developed mechanisms to endure high salt concentrations, dessication and constant UV radiation.
The colorful, characteristic pink carotenoids responsible for the amazing view shown here are actually believed to be a mechanism of protection against the constant, mercyless radiation. Additionally, many of these organisms actually require high salt concentrations to grow (36% w/v salt) only found in hypersaline environments like this one.
David Bowie had it right: "Life in Mars?"
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