Imagine you are flying over a remote island off the coast of Western Australia, and suddenly, your eyes stop at a bright pink lake. Its bold and bright pink color stands out against the deep green surroundings and the deep blue of the ocean from the far. This makes Lake Hillier, one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. This lake is so brightly pink that it makes it feel almost unreal.
The unreal pink lake was first discovered in 1802. A British explorer Matthew Flinders discovered it. He came across this dazzling beauty during his journey. During his visit as a HMS Investigator, he was charting the coast of Australia. Flinders named the lake in honor of his friend and explorer, Dr. William Hill, who served as the expedition’s surgeon. The lake on Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago remained unknown to the world until its bright pink color started gaining tourist attraction.
Its unique vibrant pink color makes this lake famous. The lake’s measurements are approximately 600 meters long and 250 meters wide and is encircled by a border of thick tree plantations, consisting of eucalyptus trees and shrubs. It is also a stunning saline lake. This island is located on Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago, off the south coast of Western Australia.
Lake Hillier is so remote and getting up close and personal with is a rare privilege. This place is so isolated you almost feel like you’re stepping into a secret world. The lake is still designated as a protected area, with no easy entry and no disturbance by humans. Actually, the surrounding air is incredibly clean, and it is believed that the lake’s beauty remains untouched by anyone – no visitors to make the water dirty, whether in reality or symbolically.
Well, don’t you think? It’s time to know about the reason behind this lake’s mysterious color. The reason behind Lake Hillier’s unique pink color is mainly attributed to the existence of Dunaliella salina. It is a species of algae that lives in the lake’s extremely salty and alkaline conditions. These algae make a pink pigment called beta-carotene. Beta-carotene serves as a defense mechanism against the strong sunlight and intense UV radiation. This mechanism is crucial for those algae to survive in the region. The pigment enables the algae to thrive in harsh environments by soaking up and deactivating dangerous radiation. Besides Dunaliella salina, salt-loving bacteria and archaea are also responsible for the lake’s pink color, along with other microorganisms. The optimal conditions of the lake, including high levels of salt and warm temperatures, promote the growth of these organisms, enhancing the pink hue even more. So, we can say that the unique pink color of Lake Hillier is caused by a blend of high salinity, specific microorganisms, and extreme environmental conditions, making it one of nature’s most visually striking phenomena.
The lake is situated within Nuyts Archipelago Nature Reserve, which is a protected area. That means there is limited access to the lake. The sanctuary is focused on safeguarding the nearby environment, and only authorized tour companies can bring in guests. This indicates that the majority of visitors will only view the lake from a distance in the air, instead of getting a closer look.
Even though the lake is carefully safeguarded, there are still obstacles like climate change and excessive tourism that could affect it. Increased temperatures or alterations in the water’s chemical composition may impact the algae responsible for Lake Hillier’s pink hue. Moreover, should tourism see a rise, it may lead to added pressure on the delicate ecosystem, making continuous management and monitoring essential.
The lake’s isolated position and safeguarded status guarantee its conservation for future generations, emphasizing the need to balance discovery with protection. Lake Hillier serves as a reminder that many of the world’s remarkable occurrences are typically unseen, but are ready to amaze and intrigue those who are open to exploring beyond the usual.
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Writer
Sumaiya Nusrat
Intern, Content Writing department
YSSE