With enough light and heat and a salinity level well above that of sea water, these microbes produce and accumulate carotenoids, such as beta carotene. The color of these carotenoids gives these algae — and the water they populate — their characteristic pink color.

What causes a pink lake?

Cause. The orange/pink colour of salt lakes across the world is caused by the green alga Dunaliella salina and the archaea Halobacterium cutirubrum. ... The exact colour of the lake depends on the balance between Dunaliella salina and Halobacterium cutirubrum, with salt concentration having a direct impact.

Are pink lakes safe to swim in?

Named for its hot pink “Pepto-Bismol-like hue,” The Pink Lake is located in the Middle Island area of Lake Hillier. Some people are afraid to swim in the pink water due to its strange color, but the water is perfectly safe to swim in.