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SAO PAULO (AP) \u2014 The lake in Sao Paulo\u2019s iconic Ibirapuera Park has turned green in recent weeks, as Brazil<\/a> grapples with a historic drought<\/a>, both amusing and alarming parkgoers.<\/p>\n Its verdant color stems from a combination of an algal bloom, abundant nutrients, high temperatures and a lack of rain in the Brazilian metropolis, City Hall said in a statement Thursday. It added that the lake\u2019s low water level makes it harder for a pump to remove the algae.<\/p>\n Sidney Cardoso, a 49-year-old photographer, said he had never seen the lake\u2019s water look so green.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that it\u2019s different when it\u2019s totally full,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Considered Sao Paulo\u2019s biggest park, Ibirapuera lies close to the city\u2019s center. It is home to the Afro Brazil Museum and the pavilion that hosts the Sao Paulo Art Biennial. The lake has been called \u201cthe park\u2019s soul.\u201d Many paulistanos, as Sao Paulo\u2019s residents are known, like to exercise near it each day, and thousands of families come on weekends for picnics and to play sports in the area.<\/p>\n The lake\u2019s green hue is only the latest reflection of dire climate conditions. Earlier this month, drought turned Sao Paulo\u2019s Pinheiros River green<\/a>, also due to an algae bloom. And the city\u2019s skies became gray,<\/a> filled with smoke from distant fires in the Amazon rainforest.<\/a><\/p>\n Beside the lake on Thursday, Silvia Alves, a nutritionist who often exercises there, said she felt that the algae had improved the area\u2019s air quality.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I breathe, I get more euphoric than usual,\u201d she said after a set of jumping jacks.<\/p>\n ____<\/p>\n Follow AP\u2019s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/latin-america<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n