Walkers stunned after discovering bright PINK lake on their travels

Walkers have been left stunned following the discovery of a bright pink lake, but there is a surprising reason for the strangely coloured water.

The incredible sight was first spotted by Barry Knight, 61, while he was walking the King Charles III England coast path, near Queenborough, in Sheppey, Kent.

Mr Knight from Gillingham, Kent, was into a his six-hour hike towards Laysdown on the morning of August 22 when he came across the strangely coloured lake as he walked above a flood defence.

Recounting the moment he first caught glimpse of the water, Mr Knight said that he initially believed his eyes had been 'deceiving' him.

He added: 'I was about half and hour into the walk and then I saw it.

'I thought "oh my goodness" a pink lake, are my eyes deceiving me - it must be pretty rare.

'I know around the world there pink lakes due to natural factors, but they aren't normal in the UK.'

Incredible images taken by Mr Knight show the 65-metre long lake sporting a bright pink colour while a deep blue can also be seen around the rim.

But, rather than being thrilled at his incredible discovery, Mr Knight said that he was actually left 'filled with sadness', assuming that the pink lake had been 'caused by pollution', bacteria or even a chemical spill.  

The avid hiker remarked that he was certain the colour of the lake was 'not natural' and had to have been 'man-made', adding you 'can't miss it' due to the intense brightness of the colour. 

And, due to the warm weather, the water levels of the lake appeared to be 'very low'.  

Mr Knight also said that he recalled 'an unnatural, unpleasant' smell emitting from the water, though he said he could not be sure whether he was 'just imagining it because of the colour'.

But, rather than being artificially created, The Environment Agency has confirmed that the unique colour is a' natural phenomenon caused by algae or bacteria'.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: 'This is a natural phenomenon which can be seen in lakes, especially over summer months.

'The colours are caused by naturally occurring algae or bacteria.

 'High concentrations of algae can be harmful, so people and animals should try to avoid contact with the water or scum.'

Pink lakes tend to have a striking colour due to the presence of algae that produces carotenoids, such as Dunaliella Salina, a type of halophile green micro-algae especially found in sea salt fields.

Once the lake water reaches a salinity level greater than that of sea water, the temperature is high enough and adequate light conditions are provided, the alga begins to accumulate the red pigment beta carotene.

Pink lakes are natural phenomena that draw visitors from far and wide, and provide livelihoods to local people. 

The vibrant Lake Hillier, on Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia, has entranced scientists for years, with speculation that its bubble-gum hue is likely the result of salt-loving algae. 

The pink lake was first covered by SciShow in 2013, spurring the interest of researchers at the eXtreme Microbiome Project.

In an investigation undertaken to establish the reasons behind the water's unique colour, scientists collected several samples. Among the many microbes collected, researchers found Dunaliella salina, the algae long thought to be the culprit behind the pink waters.

In south west Spain, two large salt-water lakes sit adjacent to the city of Torrevieja.

The Salinas de Torrevieja (meaning Salt Pans of Torrevieja) turn pink when sunlight falls on the algae-rich waters.

The lakes are now protected national parks and are a haven for migratory birds, diverse flora and fauna.

Canada's Dusty Rose Lake, in British Columbia is pink due to the particulate in the glacial melt waters feeding it.

The surrounding rock is purple/pink in colour; the water feeding the lake is said to have a lavender hue.

In Senegal, Lake Retba, in the Cap Vert peninsula of the country, has such a high concentration of salt - 40 per cent - that is harvested by local people. 

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