Evaporation pools for salt production are nothing new, yet the saturated colors and distinctive landscapes they create continually spark interest for photographers. Algae and other microorganisms in them actively shift liquid salinity — a natural interaction that causes the wonderful tints you see here, including the blood reds, pea-soup greens, and caramelized oranges.

Photos from William Couch, jitze, kenjet, Daniele Romeo Ph, and robnlville taken at salt ponds in the San Francisco Bay Area, Rio Lagartos of Mexico, and salt pans from Maras, Peru.