Starkly different concentrations of chlorophyll a, the primary pigment in photosynthesis, are apparent on May 21, 2025 in this true-color corrected reflectance image overlaid with Chlorophyll a concentrations. Both visualizations are from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard the Suomi National Polar orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) platform.
Divided by a railroad causeway, the Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. The northwest section largely has no water input from rivers and is saltier than the rest of the lake. The salt concentration causes different types of algae to grow compared to the southern portion and is a reason for the visible differences in chlorophyll a concentrations.
Swipe the center bar back and forth to see the chlorophyll a layer on the left "A" side and the true-color corrected reflectance layer on the right "B" side.
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