Owens Lake. Salt pools and deposits at Owens Lake, a dry lake located in the eastern Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Once a lake, this area has now dr

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Owens Lake. Salt pools and deposits at Owens Lake, a dry lake located in the eastern Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Once a lake, this area has now dried up due to diversion and use of water that once flowed here. Today it is a salt flat with pools of water inhabited by halophilic (salt-loving) bacteria. These bacteria contribute to the colour seen here. Other effects of the drying up of this lake include alkali dust storms, when the alkaline deposits are swept up and blown into nearby areas, including towns, causing respiratory problems.

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Size: 3449px × 5173px
Photo credit: © VINCENT AMOUROUX, MONA LISA PRODUCTION/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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