Martian-like salt water lake in Ukraine captured in series of stunning photographs

09.06.2015 23:59

This breathtaking, pink lake may look like a Martian landscape but its distinctive waters make it one of the unique wonders of the Crimean Peninsula.

The opulent hues of the Koyashskoye Salt Lake vary from peachy pinks to dusky scarlets, with extra-terrestrial-looking boulders dotted in its crimson waters.

The beautiful expanse of blood-red water was captured during the entirety of a single day by Ukrainian photographer Sergey Anashkevych, who sought to explore the effect different light had on the three-mile expanse.

The barren landscape is situated on the southern coast of the Kerch Peninsula in Crimea, and is separated from the Black Sea by a thin strip of land.

When the weather gets drier, the water evaporates, drying the salt out and revealing small crystal stones protruding from the lake’s surface.

Sergey, 37, from Sevastopol, said: 'Koyashskoye is one of the most beautiful and fantastic places in Crimea.

'The shores of the lake consist of the crystallized salt with the scent of viola.

'It is consider to be healing and is used for recreation.

'It is so unexpectedly beautiful because it is surrounded by the naked wind-blown steppe. It looks just like desert.'

The vibrant colours can be attributed to the Dunaliella algae, which thrives in salty water and in some conditions multiplies rapidly, causing the red colour.

Sergey said: 'In the spring the lake colour is tenderly pink in spring - and bright-red during the summer hot pink.

'Locals love the lake, but fortunately it is still not widely known to tourists.

'The air is very humid there and very salty and because of the salt in the air you have a feeling that the air is sticky.

'Because of the salt, your skin, clothes and equipment end up covered by this sticky, thin film.'

(dailymail.co.uk)