There is plenty of water on earth – but some bodies of water have special features. Some exotics impress with their unique coloring. Whether turquoise, pink or a deep blue: These rivers and lakes amaze us.
In Baden-Württemberg, more precisely in Blaubeuren, there is a special spring. The Blautopf is one of the most water-rich karst springs in Germany. The intense blue color of the water is caused by the light scattering in the water. Many sagas and legends are entwined around the colorful body of water.
Some local residents were convinced that a barrel full of ink is poured into the water every day. Others assumed that the source was bottomless. Whenever the depth was to be determined using a plumb bob, a mermaid is said to have stolen the weight. Today we know that the Blautopf is 21 meters deep. With a few exceptions, diving is prohibited here. Because in the past there have always been fatal accidents.
A very special river can be found in the Tenorio Volcano National Park in Costa Rica. The Celeste River is notable for its turquoise water. This is created thanks to a combination of sulfur and calcium carbonate. From the park’s entrance, visitors have to hike around an hour to get to the river. Several hot springs and a waterfall are also waiting there.
The Hutt Lagoon in western Australia, on the other hand, shines in a strong pink. It is a salt lake located near the Indian Ocean coast. The color is caused by the extremely high salt content. Because the 70-square-kilometer lagoon is below sea level, seawater seeps into the lake year-round. In summer, the water evaporates almost completely and a dry salt surface is formed.
