Field Notes - Rare Pink Lake Phenomenon in Brisbane
Pink Lake, Brisbane 2023
Early October 2023, visitors on Boondal Wetlands were given an unusual warning ‘Stay away from the Pink waters!’. A part of the wetlands mangrove forest mysteriously turned bright pink overnight.
Locals initially suspect that it was caused by pollution from a waste management centre that is in the vicinity of the mangrove. Environmental experts were called in to address the water quality and later confirmed that it was a natural phenomenon.
A combination of no rain, low tidal flow and calm tropical waters created the ideal condition for pink algae to bloom. It made the water looked like strawberry milk and also smell of death. Not a mix you usually associate together. The phenomenon lasted for about three weeks before slowly losing the color vibrancy.
Even though experts have ruled out pollution as the cause, pink algae is still toxic to humans. So don’t go drinking or touching the strawberry milk yet!
