Pink producers
There are no fish or other wildlife to be seen in the peculiar pink waters, but what it lacks in fish it makes up for in microorganisms. Being one of the few species able to thrive in this lake, the huge population of Dunaliella salina algae is reflected in the colour. They produce carotenoid pigments called beta-carotene, and it is this that scientists believe produces the vibrant pink. Other microorganisms found in the lake which contribute to the pink hue are the halophilic archaea Halobacterium salinarum residing within the salt crusts. The term halophilic means ‘salt-loving’, which all organisms in Lake Hillier have to be to stand a chance of living in those conditions. With tough cell walls, these are capable of living in some of the world’s most extreme environments – and they also happen to be pink.