Pink Lake also known as
Lake Spencer is a salt lake in the Goldfields-Esperance region of
Western Australia about 3Km west of Esperance and is bounded to the
east by the South Coast Highway. The lake is about 4Km length and 2Km
width and it called Pink Lake due to its color can be changed to pink
based on some condition. The dynamics of why a lake turns pink is
very complex. External changes and weather conditions can affect the
color of the lake. Esperance's Pink Lake has lost its pink color due
to a number of contributing factors.
No one really knows exactly what causes the bizarre
colouring of Lake Hillier, but a team of researchers from the eXtreme
Microbiome Project (XMP) have identified a few probable suspects.
In 2015, Ken McGrath, a researcher for the XMP,
collected genetic information from Pink Lake sediment and water
samples. Not many organisms can survive on lake beds made of solid
salt, but extremophiles like the ones found in Pink Lake thrive in
this environment. The goal of the research was to identify the
various extremophiles living in the lake that could be responsible
for its remarkable colour. Analysis of the material showed around 10
species of salt-loving bacteria, archaea and several species of
Dunaliella algae. Nearly all these organisms are pink, red or
salmon-coloured, and are the probable culprits of the lake’s
strange colour.
Is Pink Lake Water Safe to Drink?
Like
any salt water, it is not advisable to drink water from Lake Hillier.
When you consume salty water it can cause serious damage to your
body.
How to get there
Visit Esperance to see Pink Lake. The Recherche
Archipelago, where you will find Middle Island (and Pink Lake) can be
visited on a scenic flight. Esperance is approximately 720Km
southeast of Perth. It's an eight hour drive or a 1.5 hour flight
from Perth. There are also many guided tours available. There are plenty of places to stay in Esperance,
from serviced apartments to caravan parks by the sea. But for a touch
of luxury try Esperance Island View Apartments with its stunning
views of the Recherche Archipelago; or Tranquil Retreat which sits on
the fringe of Woody Lake Nature Reserve.
Interesting...
ReplyDeleteThanks
Delete