One of Maharashtra’s oldest natural attractions, the Lonar lake in the state’s Buldhana district, underwent a sudden and stunning transformation earlier this week. The waters of the lake, which normally appear to have a dark, greenish hue, turned a bright shade of pink, giving the locals and scientists who study the lake quite a surprise.
Since the past four days or so, #Maharashtra‘s world-famous #LonarLake – the world’s third biggest formed by a meteorite hit – has mysteriously changed colour from its normal bluish-green to a baby-pink shade.
(IANS)
The Weather Channel India✔@weatherindia
#Maharashtra‘s Lonar Lake Changes Colour to Baby Pink; Astounds Scientists https://weather.com/en-IN/india/news/news/2020-06-11-maharashtras-lonar-lake-changes-colour-pink-astounds-scientists …#LonarLake
: (IANS)
Lonar lake is a natural wonder, a relic of 50,000 years ago, being formed when a meteorite crashed into the Earth’s surface and water filled the crater left behind. Apart from being a national geo-heritage monument, the lake is also one of Maharashtra’s most popular tourist attractions, being located around 500 kilometres from Mumbai. However, during the nationwide lockdown, tourist activity has been halted. While some people are tempted to believe that the lack of disturbance due to tourist activity may have contributed to the lake changing colour that might not really be the case.
Maharashtra Tourism@maha_tourism
From Green to Pink; Lonar Crater Lake has changed its colour.#LonarLake #LonarCrater #SaltWaterLake #MaharashtraTourism
While it has been surprising, it is not the first time that the lake has changed colour. A report in The Hindu states that while this phenomenon has occurred before, this time the change is more glaring and thus more noticeable. The most commonly held explanation among experts is that the water of the lake changed colour due to a combination of salinity levels and the presence of algae in the water.
Lonar lake’s change of colour leaves people surprised, experts feel salinity and algae are the reasons https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/lonar-lakes-change-of-colour-leaves-people-surprised-experts-feel-salinity-and-algae-are-the-reasons/articleshow/76315427.cms …Lonar lake’s change of colour leaves people surprised, experts feel salinity and algae are the…The lake in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district has saline water with pH of 10.5.economictimes.indiatimes.com298:56 AM – Jun 12, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy15 people are talking about this
Speaking to the Press Trust of India, a member of the Lonar lake conservation and development committee, Gajanan Kharat, said, “There are algae in the water body. The salinity and algae can be responsible for this change. There is no oxygen below one meter of the lake’s water surface. There is an example of a lake in Iran, where water becomes reddish due to an increase in salinity.”
Dr Madan Suryavanshi, head of the geography department at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, told The Economic Times that the change in colour could not be because of human intervention. “This seems to be a biological change in the Lonar crater,” he said.
Prasar Bharati News Services✔@PBNS_India
Maharashtra: Water of Lonar Lake in Buldhana district, a popular tourist hub, has changed to pink with experts attributing it to the salinity & presence of algae.
Officials have been asked to collect sample of the water & find the reason behind the changing colour of the lake.
Lonar lake’s water levels are also currently lower than it has been in the past few years, as the area has witnessed less rainfall. Without fresh rainwater filling up the lake, its salinity level rises.
#LonarLake water change colour from green to pink. This is a tourist place but during lockdown no one visit at this place. That’s why this lake change their colour to attract tourists to come. #Maharashtra
This makeover of the lake has also provided fodder to many commenters on social media, who never miss a chance to make a joke.
#LonarLake must be a fan of South African Cricket team ….!
After 50,000 years of being one of Maharashtra’s most unique national treasures, Lonar lake deserves its newfound viral fame.
This article was first published in Arre
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