A pond in Hawaii turned bright pink (5 photos + 1 video)

A pond at Kealia National Wildlife Refuge on the Hawaiian island of Maui turned bright pink due to increased salt levels in the water following a severe drought.





Scientists suggest that the change in water color is associated with the proliferation of halobacteria - single-celled organisms that live in extremely salty bodies of water. The salt level in the pond is currently twice that of seawater.









Waikapu Creek, which carries water from the West Maui mountains to Kelia Pond, flows through an area of severe drought. There was a deadly forest fire in August of this year. It affected 90% of Maui County, which caused the drought.



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