Hobbies And Interests
Home  >> Science & Nature >> Nature

Why Are the Tops of Glaciers Pink?

Sometimes the snow covering glaciers and mountain peaks is pink. The color is described as ranging from watermelon to red port wine pink. The red color is often due to snow algae, a type of unicellular fresh-water algae.

  1. Location of Snow Algae

    • Most snow algae are found at an elevation of greater than 8000 feet in high alpine environments. Snow algae occurrences are most common in the late spring or early summer when the snow cover is melting on glaciers. The algae thrive in freezing water.

    Pink Color

    • The pink color is due to a bright red pigment in addition to chlorophyll within the algae. According to Wayne's Word, over one million cells of snow algae are found in one teaspoon of melted snow.

    Species of Snow Algae

    • More than 60 species of snow algae are found on glaciers or snow banks. One species, Chamydomonas nivalis, is commonly found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.

Nature
Nature

https://www.htfbw.com © Hobbies And Interests