A lake on Maui Island has become twice as salty as seawater due to a drought, creating an ideal environment for salt-loving archaea, which have turned the lake’s water a vibrant pink.
The lake at the Kealia National Wildlife Refuge has taken on a deep pink hue due to drought conditions. (Photo: CNN)
A lake in Hawaii has transformed into a deep pink, resembling an otherworldly landscape. The water at the Kealia National Wildlife Refuge, one of the few coastal salt marshes on Maui Island, has exhibited vibrant pink hues since at least October 30, following a spike in salinity during a severe drought. Water samples sent to the University of Hawaii indicate that halobacteria, salt-loving archaea, are responsible for the lake’s unusual coloration, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Halobacteria are single-celled organisms that thrive in extremely salty environments such as the Great Salt Lake and the Dead Sea. These microorganisms are considered extremophiles due to their ability to survive in harsh conditions, in this case, salinity levels that are twice that of seawater.
Although the name Kealia means “salt residue,” the lake’s salinity has increased beyond typical levels due to a prolonged drought affecting Maui. The entire island is experiencing severe drought, as reported by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM). The location of the Kealia Refuge falls within a drought area classified as level 2 on the USDM scale.
The Waikapu Stream, which feeds fresh water from West Maui’s mountains into Kealia Lake, also flows through drought-affected areas. The decreased freshwater inflow has led to rising salinity levels, providing an ideal breeding ground for halobacteria.
About 90% of Maui County, including neighboring islands, has been experiencing prolonged drought since a devastating wildfire swept through Lahaina in August. Scientists are still researching how climate change is impacting Hawaii. However, researchers predict that drought conditions will worsen as global temperatures rise, even in tropical regions.
