Weird Places: Australia's Bright Pink Lake

TL;DR

Lake Hillier in Western Australia is a naturally pink lake believed to be caused by salt-loving micro algae and halophilic Archaea.

Transcript

[Intro music] Cobalt, cerulean, turquoise, teal! We've all seen lakes, or at least pictures of lakes, best described by these shades of blue. If I say green, you may think of a lake full of algae; and if I say brown, perhaps you'd think of some murky, gross-lookin', stained pond. But I doubt that you would associate pink with a body of water! That ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🩷 Lake Hillier is a small, pink-colored lake located in Western Australia on Middle Island.
• 🥰 The lake gets its pink hue due to the presence of salt-loving micro algae called Dunaliella Salina, which produce Carotenoids.
• 🩷 Halophilic Archaea, although not actual bacteria, could also play a role in intensifying the pink color of the lake.
• 🧂 The salt content and intense sunlight during the dry season contribute to the vibrant pinkness of the lake.
• 🏊 Lake Hillier is safe for swimming despite its unusual coloration.
• 🩷 Dunaliella Salina is also found in another pink lake, Lake Retba in Senegal.
• 💁 Halophilic Archaea are extremophiles capable of surviving in salt crusts for long periods and may resemble potential life forms on Mars.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is Lake Hillier pink?

Lake Hillier's pink color is attributed to the presence of Dunaliella Salina, a salt-loving micro algae that produces Carotenoids which absorb sunlight.

Q: Are there any other pink lakes in the world?

Yes, Lake Retba in Senegal is another pink lake believed to be home to Dunaliella Salina.

Q: What makes the pink color of Lake Hillier intensify during the dry season?

The dry season leads to a drop in water levels and an increase in salt content, creating ideal conditions for the Dunaliella Salina algae to flourish and intensify the lake's pink color.

Q: Are halophilic Archaea also responsible for the pink color of Lake Hillier?

Halophilic Archaea might also contribute to the pink color by dispersing pigments throughout their whole-cell, making them more visible.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lake Hillier is a small but vibrant pink lake located on Middle Island in Western Australia.

• The pink color of the lake is due to the presence of salt-loving micro algae called Dunaliella Salina, which produce Carotenoids.

• Halophilic Archaea, salt-obsessed members of the domain Archaea, may also contribute to the pinkness of the lake.