Bright Pink Lake

 

 

 

 

Pink Lake is a natural salt water lake in Western Australia.  It's about two miles from the town of Esperance and is located next to the South Coast Highway.  The lake is not always pink but it's color and shade vary with the amount alga and brine pawn in the water.  When the lake reaches a salinity greater than that of the ocean and adequate light conditions are provided,  the alga begins to accumulate a red pigment (beta carotene).   Pink halobacteria grow in the salt crust a the bottom of the lake. The lake is an important area of bird life with a high number of Hooded  Plover birds.  Table salt is also produced in solar ponds at the eastern as well as water softening products.