9. Masazir Lake, Azerbaijan
Masazir Lake, located near Baku, Azerbaijan, is one of the most unique pink lakes in the Eastern Hemisphere. This natural salt lake exhibits a distinctive pink color, particularly during late summer when evaporation rates are highest. The lake's geological formation is shaped by underground salt domes and the region's complex tectonic history. The pink hue is produced by specific halophilic archaea that generate bacteriorhodopsin, a purple-pink pigment used in their energy production process. The lake's high salinity has made it a significant source of industrial salt production since ancient times, and the surrounding area is home to unique salt-tolerant plant species that have adapted to this harsh environment.
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