When it comes to the lake, it usually has a clear or slightly blue-green appearance, and when exposed to sunlight, the surface of the lake may shimmer and appear calm and expansive. The color of the lake may also be cloudy or take on a different green hue due to suspended sediment or aquatic plants. When there is no wind, the surface of the lake is as calm as a mirror, reflecting the surrounding scenery such as trees, mountains and the sky. In the wind, the surface of the lake ripples and the water ripples, creating a dynamic natural beauty.
But on a small island about 130 kilometers east of Upper Perth in Australia, there is a special lake. The most striking feature of this lake is its bright pink water, a unique color that contrasts with the dense green forest that surrounds it, creating an unforgettable picture of beauty.
It's Lake Hillier in Australia.
The pink waters of Lake Hillier shine especially in the sun, and its colors are both mysterious and mesmerizing, attracting great interest from scientists and tourists alike.
This bizarre lake was first documented in 1802 by British explorer and naval officer Matthew Flinders on an expeditionary mission. Flindas offers a preliminary explanation for the color of Lake Hillier, speculating that this extraordinary pink color may be related to the high salinity of the lake's water.
Until the 21st century, the mystery of Lake Hillier remains the focus of scientific research. In 2022, scientist Scott Tie took a modern scientific approach to explore the phenomenon in depth. He collected water samples from the lake and used genomics analysis techniques to study them with the aim of revealing the specific color of the lake's pink water. Tye's research focused on the microorganisms in the lake's water, particularly the carotene-rich haematococcus (dunaliella salina), which is thought to be a key factor in the lake's unique color.
Haematococcus is a major biotic factor influencing the color of Lake Hillier. It is a halophilic microalgae that thrives in highly salinity waters such as Hawk Lake in extremely saline environments. This algae produces oxygen through photosynthesis and releases -carotene, a natural pigment with an intense red and pink color that is commonly found in certain plants, such as carrots and tomatoes.
The pink color of Lake Hillier is mainly caused by the release of carotene from haematococcus. This pigment accumulates in the lake's water, which combines with the reflection of sunlight to produce the lake's signature pink color. The intensity of this color may vary depending on the seasons and weather conditions, but the lake retains its striking pink hue no matter the circumstances.
These scientific discoveries not only advance our understanding of Lake Hillier's unique beauty, but also demonstrate the amazing ability of life forms in nature to adapt to extreme environments. By studying these microbes in depth, scientists are able to better understand how they affect our environment and may use this knowledge to address related ecological and environmental problems in the future.
Even though Lake Hillier's pink waters look very inviting, it's actually a highly salinity lake, which means that swimming might not be a good idea here. However, this does not prevent people from enjoying this natural wonder from the air or from the shore, and the scenery around the lake is equally fascinating, providing visitors with an unforgettable visual experience.
Overall, Lake Hillier is a marvelous masterpiece of nature, showcasing not only the unique natural beauty of the planet, but also a reminder of the diversity and mystery of the natural world.