Lake Hillier in Western Australia

References

Australia. Tourism Australia, 2015. Medium. 01 December 2015.

Swim in Lake Hillier, Australia’s pink lake. When On Earth, 28 December 2012. Medium. 01 December 2015.

The Criteria for Selection. UNESCO, 2015. Medium. 01 December 2015.

Lake Hillier, the bright pink lake- as a World Heritage site. Ozzie Tourism, 2015. Medium. 01 December 2015.

Lake Hillier. HillierLake, 2015. Medium. 01 December 2015.

Lake Hillier Sampling Trip. Australian Genome Research Facility. Youtube, 2015. Medium

Lake Hillier Australia. Adventure Story. Youtube, 2015. Medium

The water used to be used for treatment!

- the water from Lake Hillier was constantly being bottled up and exported to other areas besides Australia

- the water could be used as a kind of treatment for those who are sick

- When On Earth claims that it treats probelms like “upset stomachs, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and indigestion”

Benefits of making this a World Heritage Site

- this would allow life in an on the lake to be protected

- preserve its historical background

- to remain in good condition and to stay beautiful

Plan for Preservation

- Lake Hillier is now protected by the Recherche Archipelago Nature Reserve

- Michael Borowitzka, a professor at Murdoch University, states that the organisms found in the lake are "not abundant in nature," it needs to be protected

- keeping the organisms alive will keep the lake its pinkish color while also keeping the attraction appeal alive

- the lake is a great attraction site, according to When On Earth, who states that the lake is "perfectly safe to swim in," and gives people a chance to relax in a new and interesting envirnonment

Lake Hillier

It matches the Criteria!

According to UNESCO:

(vii)- to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance

(viii)- to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features.

(ix)- to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh-water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.

(x)- to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

What is the problem?

Trash:

- garbage is being found all over the land which affects the wildlife and birds and can be harmful

Dissolving Rocks:

- tourists are walking around lake, which allows for the rocks to disinigrate

Research

• Lake Hillier is 1 of 8 pink lakes in the world

• 40% of the lake is made up of salt

• The area that surrounds the lake is an "IBA" or an important bird area

• There are 3000 year old Aboriginal Sites surrounding the lake

• Known to be one of the world's ecological mysteries

In Western Australia

What makes the water pink?

- the lake contains an organism called "Dunaliella Salina"

- the microorganism causes the salt content to create a red dye

- the lake appears as a bubble gum color but in reality it is actually more of a clear pink hue

- causes no harm to the human skin

Celena H, Rachael S, Katelyn D

Background

- saline lake on the edge of Middle Island off the South Coast of Western Australia, notable for its pink color

- the lake is about 600 meters long

- first written records of the lake in January 1802 by Matthew Flinders

- the lake was subject to salt mining during the late 19th century

- used for tourism today

- currently there is only two way to view this lake

- either from the air or you can also explore the islands and abundant wildlife of the Recherche Archipelago on a cruise from Esperance