Lakes aren’t supposed to be pink. And yet, there’s this one in Australia boasting a bright flamingo colour. The new colour of this salt lake is due to a perfect storm of circumstances.
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A lake on the outskirts in southern Australia has turned a shade of pink because of a strange natural phenomenon. Salt lakes in Westgate park, Melbourne, change colour every year with the season – caused by a combination of very high salt levels in the water, high temperatures, sunlight and a lack of rainfall.
According to Parks Victoria, algae growing in the salt crust at the bottom of the lake produces the red pigment, known as beta carotene, as part of its photosynthesis process.
The phenomenon is exacerbated because of the extremely high levels of salt in the water. The park authorities recommend that people do not to come into contact with the water.
The lake is expected to return to its normal colour during the Australian winter months, when the weather cools and rainfall increases.
The Westgate park, which houses the salt lake, is located in the southern tip of Australia.
