Purple Gold of the Ocean (Tanzania, Zanzibar)

At low tide, on the beaches of Zanzibar, workers handle red seaweed harvested from the coastal lagoons. This " green gold ," mainly from the cultivation of Eucheuma and Kappaphycus , is a major resource for the archipelago's economy. After drying on the sand, the seaweed is exported to Asia , Europe , and North America for the extraction of carrageenan and agar-agar —two natural gelling agents used in cosmetics , the pharmaceutical industry , food products , and as organic fertilizer . Zanzibar is now one of the world's three largest producers, alongside the Philippines and Indonesia , but global warming is jeopardizing this marine culture.

This photograph was selected by the prestigious international gallery 1X.com, which recognizes works for their aesthetic and documentary value.