Foam accumulates on the railway causeway dividing the north arm (Gunnisson Bay) from the south arm (Gilbert Bay) of the Great Salt Lake. The red water is due to highly pigmented bacteria-like Archaea and to a green algae (Dunaliella rubens)that has red pigments. The massive amount of foam is thought to be caused by high levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), but this is currently under investigation. Salinity of the water at this site was 31.4% (314 ppt).


Photo 2 August, 2010