Westgate Park’s salt lake has turned pink again this summer: a natural phenomenon in response to very high salt levels, high temperatures, sunlight and lack of rainfall. The salt lakes turn pink due to the natural interaction of a harmless, single cell alga (Dunaliella salina) and a harmless halbacterium (Halobacteria cutirubrum). Given the right conditions, D. salina growing in the salt crust at the bottom of the lake produces the red pigment - beta carotene - which absorbs and uses the energy of sunlight needed to keep salt out of their cytoplasm. There is no impact on birdlife on the lake. There is no indication the bacterium is dangerous, but we advise people not to come into contact with the water. The lakes are expected to return to their normal colour later in autumn, when cooler weather and rainfall increases.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 22:48:35 +0000
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