Sea of Galilee: Turned Red
The Sea of Galilee in Israel has turned red due to the bloom of Botryococcus braunii algae.
- Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake situated in the northeastern part of Israel.
- It is considered the lowest freshwater lake on the planet and the world’s second-lowest lake after the Dead Sea.
- It is situated in Jordan Rift Valley primarily fed by the Jordan Riverand partly by underground springs.
- Throughout its history, the Sea of Galilee has been referred to by various names such as the Sea of Kinneret, Lake of Gennesaret, Sea of Ginosar, Sea of Tiberias, Lake of Tiberias, Bahr Tubariya, etc.
- It is bordered by the Plain of Gennesaret extends in the north to the northwest, and the Plain of Bet Ẓayda (Buteiha) in Syria extends to the northeast. To the west and southwest, the hills of Lower Galilee fall abruptly to the lake’s edge.
- Botryococcus braunii is a species of single-celled green algae found in freshwater or brackish lakes.
- It is characterized by its ability to produce significant quantities of hydrocarbons and its formation of biofilms that consist of polysaccharides and biopolymers for structural support and protection.
