But there was at least one surprising constituent that researchers found in the samples. Smart videos for curious minds of all ages. Curated by Rion Nakaya with her 9 & 12 year olds. Proudly created by Wanderlust Communications. In his log, he noted that he was surprised to see "a small lake of rose colour". Another mystery that sets Lake Hillier apart from other pink lakes is that it remains pink all year round, while other known pink lakes regularly change colors when their temperatures fluctuate. When the crew went ashore to investigate, they found that the lake seemed as salty as the Dead Sea. Called Lake Hillier, you can find it right on the edge of the continent’s Recherche Archipelago, literally just a couple of steps away from the Southern Ocean’s turquoise waters.
The findings from XMP, however, reveal the pink colour most probably arises from a bacterium. Your email address will not be published. setTimeout( ©2011-2020 The Kid Should See This™, TKSST™, TKSST Gift Guide™. "In the north-eastern part was a small lake of a rose color, the water of which, as I was informed by Mr Thistle who visited it, was so saturated with salt that sufficient quantities were crystallized near the shores to load a ship. You can even bottle it and it won’t change its color! Despite this, the lake is very difficult to get to making it nye on impossible for regular tourists to actually visit on the ground. The researchers used a metagenomic analysis on the lake to find Dunaliella as well as Salinibacter Ruber, Dechloromonas Aromatica, and a few species of the Archaea. seven “Our genetic sequencing confirms that it is the bacterium that is the real reason the lake is pink.”. Australia's famous pink Lake Hillier is a sight to behold. Needless to say, while the water is safe to swim in and the microorganisms are harmless, drinking hypersaline water is highly discouraged. Notably, Dunaliella salina, salinibacter ruber, halobacterium, and other algae. two Analysis of the material showed around 10 species of salt-loving bacteria, archaea and several species of Dunaliella algae. A very scientific answer to a commonly asked question. It was discovered in 1802 by a … Why is lake Hillier pink? It is also possible that the presence of halophilic bacteria in the salt crusts is another explanation for the lake’s pink color. But in essence, Lake Hillier is actually a pink salt lake. Get smart curated videos delivered every week. So there you have it! Why Lake Hiller is pink is still unknown. By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Lake Hillier is 600 metres long and 250 metres wide, surrounded by gum trees and sand dunes protecting its pink water from the deep blue Southern Ocean. Required fields are marked *. But given that it is closed off to the public, it can be viewed from the air via helicopter rides between October and April or when you book a private tour the rest of the year. The world is full of strange and weird natural-beauties, holding thousands of wondrous places, and the amazing bright pink lake of Australia, known as the Lake Hillier, is undoubtedly one of them. natural ability to stabilize sodium and chloride levels. AD. Once a year, Esperance Island Crusies also run a full day boat trip out to the island. Despite the coloration, the water is clear and will not cause any harm to you or your skin. Bacteria and Archaea tend to make up the bulk of the micro-ecology of hypersaline lakes like Hillier. The exact cause of Lake Hillier's distinctive bubblegum or strawberry milkshake color is not known for sure. = can tolerate very high salt concentrations (up to 35%). When is the best time to visit Lake Hillier? Given its unique hue and the mystery surrounding it, a lot of people wonder if it’s safe to swim in Lake Hillier. Most of the ones that researchers found love salt, and that makes sense given the lake’s striking color. Not many organisms can survive on lake beds made of solid salt, but extremophiles like the ones found in Lake Hillier thrive in this environment. Since its discovery, the strawberry milkshake-colored lake has left anyone who’s seen it in awe.