INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A lake in a Melbourne park has naturally turned pink, drawing throngs of admirers keen to snap a rosy picture.Image copyrightGetty
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The man-made salt lake in Melbourne's Westgate Park has turned a striking bright pink in recent
weeks
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The vivid shade is produced by lots of sunlight, low rainfall and
warm temperatures
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In those conditions, the lake's algae produces a red
pigment called beto carotene
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The result has seen tourists flock
to the waters almost every summer since 2013
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Some dress up
and colour co-ordinate for their pictures against the pink background
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However, authorities ask visitors not to get too close, as the water's high salt levels can irritate sensitive skin
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On social media, people also warned others of a pungent "rotting eggs" smell
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The lake's pink colour typically lasts through to late Autumn, until
cooler temperatures restore it back to blue
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The phenomenon can
be seen in other pink lakes in Australia, Spain, Canada and Senegal
All photographs subject to copyright as marked
