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A Melbourne, Australia Lake Has Turned Bright Pink But You're Not Allowed To Swim In It

Melbourne's Westgate Park lake is in the pink with its rosy hue.

A lake in Melbourne has turned a brilliant, bright pink and has delighted locals, after a perfect storm of high temperatures and low rainfall came into play.

The salt lake in Westgate Park, just off the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne's centre, can turn a vivid pink or red colour during the warmer months.

Parks Victoria said the unusual colour is down to a mix of high salt concentration, high temperatures and little rainfall affecting the algae in the water.

"Algae growing in the salt crust at the bottom of the lake produces the red pigment (beta carotene) as part of its photosynthesis process and in response to the extremely high salt levels," Parks Victoria said in a Facebook post about the brilliant colour change.

But while the view is beautiful, touching the pink water directly was not advised.

"Enjoy the views, but we recommend you don't come into contact with the water," Parks Victoria said.

Westgate Park's lake has turned pink several times in recent years, including in 2014 and 2015. At that time, Parks Victoria advised, "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 lake will go back to its normal hue when temperatures lower and there is more frequent rain, but for now, it will remain in the pink.

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