Lake Köbeituz

Lake Kobeituz (Kazakh: Көбейтұз көлі) or Lake Kobeytuz is a salt lake in Kazakhstan. It is located at an altitude of 253 meters above sea level, on the territory of the Ereymentau District of the Akmola Region, northeast of the city of Ereymentau. The origins of the name come from the local Kazakh language in which "kobei" means multiply and "tuz" means salt. In late 2019, knowledge was widely spread by local media that the lake turns pink every few years.

Lake Köbeituz
Lake Köbeituz
Lake Köbeituz
LocationAkmola Region
Coordinates51°44′33″N 73°32′51″E
TypeSalt lake
Native nameКөбейтұз  (Kazakh)
Surface elevation253 meters (830 ft)

It is believed that the presence of the algae Dunaliella salina gives the water its pink tint.[1] This is likely because it is present in several other lakes around the world that have high salt concentrations and turn pink during warm months when the salinity is at its highest.[2] The alga has different structures and appearances depending on the surrounding conditions, and in high-salinity environments like Lake Kobeituz it produces carotenoids that have a reddish hue.

In the summer of 2020, because of unusually warm weather which gave the lake its chromatic effect, the place drew more visitors. This resulted in environmental damage to the lake’s delicate ecosystem. Trash was left around the area, and large natural salts were dug up, some of which were sold on social media as fraudulent cures for diarrhea and COVID-19.[3] In response, the lake was closed to visitors by authorities on 20 July 2020.[4] According to the deputy head of the local government Battal Ibrayev, the damage in the lake would take 10 to 15 years to repair itself.[5]

References
  1. September 2019, Diana Vassilenko in Tourism on 7 (2019-09-07). "Kazakhstan's social media sensation and pink-coloured lake is just two hours from the capital". The Astana Times. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  2. "The Pink Color of Lakes, With An Example From Australia". Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  3. "Police found sellers of salt from Lake Kobeytuz - Новости Казахстана - свежие, актуальные, последние новости об о всем". kazpravda.kz (in Russian). Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  4. "Kazakhstan: Pink lake threatened by lockdown-weary visitors | Eurasianet". eurasianet.org. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  5. "Kazakhstan's Pink Lake Suffers". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
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