Peter Harlow, Cadmium (AERIAL 2023)

The evaporation of seawater at Corio, near Geelong, was once the largest source of salt in Victoria, but almost all production is now from the semi-arid Mallee and Wimmera regions of the northwest of the state. In these areas, the inland lakes are partially filled during winter by rising groundwater rich in sodium chloride and other salts, which are precipitated as the water evaporates during summer. Salt is harvested both in its naturally occurring form, directly from the lake bed, and from specially prepared crystallising areas in which salt from the lake, dissolved by winter rains, is recrystallised during spring and summer. Many of the lakes get their vibrant pink coloured hues from salt-loving algae that are attracted to the high salinity levels found in the water. However, these images were captured in the region around Lake Charm, in Victoria's north west, and the orange-red colours are a result of iron salts dissolved in the water. The tracks dividing the evaporation ponds make abstract patterns and a detailed look reveals vehicle tyres in lines to delineate the tracks.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.