Melbourne's searing summer turns lake hot pink

  • 09/03/2017
Pink salt lake (Parks Victoria / Facebook)
While it's pretty, people shouldn't swim in the lake when it's pink (Parks Victoria / Facebook)

Searing hot temperatures in Australia have not only affected its citizens but also its lakes.

While people are turning pink with sunburn and sweat, a salt lake in Westgate Park, Melbourne, is turning pink as conditions become perfect for microbes to grow.

The microbes produce a red pigment as part of its photosynthesis process, giving the water an unusual hue.

Pink salt lake Australia (Parks Victoria / Facebook)
(Parks Victoria / Facebook)

The bright colour is a natural response to high salt levels, high temperatures, lots of sunlight and a lack of rainfall.

But while it's pretty, people shouldn't swim in the lake when it's pink.

"Enjoy the views, but we recommend you don't come into contact with the water," Parks Victoria wrote on its Facebook page.

The colour change isn't permanent and it's expected the lake will return to its usual colour towards winter, as rainfall increases and temperatures cool.

Newshub.