Recently, an online video falsely claiming that 'the lakes in Jiuzhaigou are dyed with pigments to appear blue' has been circulating, misleading tourists and damaging the scenic area's reputation. The Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area Administration has issued a formal statement to debunk the rumor, clearly stating that the location shown in the video is not Jiuzhaigou and that the so-called 'dyeing' is entirely false.

As a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and a World Biosphere Reserve, Jiuzhaigou's colorful lakes are a natural geological optical phenomenon with solid scientific basis and involve no artificial pigment intervention whatsoever. Sun Geng, a researcher at the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, explained that the distinctive blue-green hue results from a combination of physical, chemical, and biological factors.

Jiuzhaigou

Physically, the alpine lakes in Jiuzhaigou have exceptionally clear water with minimal suspended particles and plankton, resulting in high transparency. Longer-wavelength light such as red, orange, and yellow is readily absorbed by the water, while shorter-wavelength blue and violet light is scattered more efficiently, giving the lakes their vivid blue appearance.

Chemically, the water contains abundant ions such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, which combine to form calcite particles measuring 0.1 to 0.45 micrometers in diameter. These particles effectively scatter blue-green light, further intensifying the vibrant colors.

Additionally, aquatic organisms such as algae in the lakes produce secondary reflections of light, enriching the color palette. Moreover, variations in water depth, season, weather conditions, and viewing angles cause the lakes to display a dynamic range of hues, creating Jiuzhaigou's signature ever-changing and ethereal waterscapes.

The Jiuzhaigou Administration urges the public not to fabricate or share false information that maliciously tarnishes the reputation of this World Natural Heritage site. It calls on individuals to rationally verify the authenticity of short online videos, refrain from believing or spreading rumors, and jointly uphold the scenic area's reputation and a healthy online environment. Authoritative science communication content can be accessed through the official channels of the scenic area.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】