Astari
Retba, also known as Lac Rose or the Pink Lake, earns its name from the pink waters generated by algae and gains renown for its elevated salt content in West Africa.
Situated approximately 35 kilometers northeast of the capital city, Dakar, Retba lies on the Cap Vert Peninsula, amidst arid landscapes characterized by sand dunes and thorny shrubs.
Spanning an area of about 3 km2 and with a maximum depth of approximately 3 meters, this shallow saline lake is fed by several small streams and groundwater, with no outlet to the sea.
Surrounded by sand dunes and thorny shrubs, the lake’s striking pink hue stands out starkly against the contrasting desert landscape.
The lake’s high salt concentration, which is even higher than that of the Dead Sea, supports the growth of this microorganism, resulting in the vibrant pink hue that attracts visitors from far and wide.
The lake boosts the local economy through traditional salt harvesting by indigenous communities for centuries.
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The Pink Phenomenon in Retba
The most striking feature of Retba is undoubtedly its vibrant pink coloration, which transforms the water into a surreal spectacle.
Additionally, the lake’s unique hue is attributed to the presence of a microorganism called Dunaliella salina, a type of halophile algae that thrives in high-salinity environments.
This microorganism produces a red pigment to absorb sunlight, which, combined with the lake’s high salt concentration and optimal pH levels, gives rise to the mesmerizing pink waters.
Furthermore, algae rich in red pigments thrive in high salinity, while those abundant in green pigments dominate when salinity decreases.
During the dry season, from late January to early March, the color typically becomes notably vibrant.
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Salt Harvesting and Exportation
The high salt content of the water supports the growth of salt-loving microorganisms, making the lake a natural salt harvesting site.
Up to 3,000 collectors, comprised of men and women from various parts of western Africa, export salt across the region.
This lake yields approximately 38,000 tonnes of salt annually, significantly contributing to Senegal’s salt production industry, positioning the country as the top salt producer in Africa.
Engaging in 6–7 hours of work daily, the local workers safeguard their skin with beurre de Karité (shea butter), an emollient derived from shea nuts that helps prevent tissue damage.
Local workers scrape the bottom of the lake, collect the salt by hand, and put it in baskets in their wooden canoes.
Using wooden tools and pirogues to navigate the shallow waters, they gather salt deposits from the lakebed. Afterward, workers transport the salt back to the shore and divide it into small mounds.
These immaculate white heaps of salt, scattered along the lake’s edge, form a striking contrast with the lake’s pink hue.
Senegalese fishermen utilize the salt to preserve fish, a key ingredient in numerous traditional dishes, including the national favorite, thieboudienne, a combination of fish and rice.
However, in September 2022, Retba experienced extensive flooding, disrupting salt harvesting activities and causing significant challenges for the local salt industry.