In the mountains Khakassia found red snow – TVNZ

Experts reserve “Khakassia” found red snow not far from the mountain lake in the snow field Shaman ridge at an altitude of about 1,700 meters above sea level. As it turned out, the snow changed its traditional white color to red under the influence of a certain type of algae (Chlamydomonas nivalis) – chlamydomonas snow.

This single-celled green alga belongs to the species cryophilic (cold-loving). In addition to the green pigment chlorophyll cells contain its red pigment – astaxanthin. Chlamydomonas snow developing successfully only if two conditions – a lot of sunlight and cold weather. Algae snow and ice are actively developing at about 0 ° C, and are able to tolerate frosts.

– Such conditions were for a long time in the area of ​​Snowfield Shaman, allowing the algae multiply and stain the snow red – He explained to the staff of the scientific department of the reserve “Khakassia”. – If the temperature is raised to Sněžník + 4 degrees, it goes into a resting stage, or die.

Experts say that among cryophilic green algae prevail, cyanoprokaryota, diatoms. In large numbers they can cause green, yellow, blue, red, brown, brown or black “bloom” of snow and ice. Snow algae can survive in unfavorable conditions in the form of dormant cells or spores. Factors that cause sleeping cells “wake up” a few: a certain amount and quality of light, dissolved gases, nutrients or water. It is believed that the light can be a decisive factor contributing to the rapid growth of algae.

Red snow – a phenomenon observed in the mountains and in the polar regions of the Earth. It is quite common in the Caucasus, Northern Urals, is widespread in the area of ​​eternal snow of Kamchatka. It is

found in Siberia (the Aldan ridge) and in the Arctic at the foot of snowy mountains in the south-western part of the New Earth, in many places on Franz Josef Land, in the Kara Sea.

By the way, colored algae snow acquires a specific taste, reminiscent of watermelon. You can try it, but do not need to abuse, as this can lead to indigestion commonplace. And the rest of this anomaly is absolutely not dangerous and no matter what no effect. It’s just an interesting phenomenon of nature, like the aurora borealis, or the rainbow.