![]() ![]() The lake’s salinity has welcomed salt-consuming, halophilic microorganisms called cyanobacteria, which need photosynthesis to survive. Lake Natron’s deceptively glassy surface. Its average alkalinity is 10.5, its pH surpasses 12, and its water temperature ranges from 40˚ to 60˚C. This concentrated the trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate) and natron (hydrated sodium carbonate) in the leftover water, creating a highly toxic brine. Since the lake had no outflow and received irregular rainfall, it endured thousands of years of intense evaporation from the heat. ![]() During the Pleistocene period, a rare type of lava rich in sodium and potassium carbonates ran down the slopes of the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and into the lake. It’s fed by the Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River in Kenya. This shallow but wide lake is just three metres deep but 22km wide. Tanzania has no less than four alkaline lakes, but Lake Natron is the most famous. Lake Natron is a hypersaline and highly alkaline lake located in the eastern section of the volatile East African Rift. ![]() In North Tanzania, a unique inland lake turns wildlife to stone. That’s a legend, but a natural wonder in Africa today does just that. You can also enjoy a trek at Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano near the lake.We all know about the Greek monster Medusa, whose deadly gaze turned men to stone. You can opt to travel the lake during the rainy or dry season if you need walking tours around the lake. These flamingoes are able to feed off the blue-green algae that grow in this lake.Ĭertain other water birds, like storks, are also not negatively affected by the lake's cyanobacteria. In fact, the lake is actually the biggest breeding ground across the globe for over 2.5 million lesser flamingoes. The lake is home to flamingoes who thrive here without any complications. Why is the lake called a flamingo paradise? "The idea for me, instantly, was to take portraits of them as if they were alive," he added. "When I saw those creatures for the first time alongside the lake, I was completely blown away," says Brandt. In 2011, wildlife photographer Nick Brandt's pictures of these dead animals made the world take notice.īrand traveled to shoot pictures for a new book on the disappearing wildlife of East Africa in 2011 and came across this lake. In fact, Egyptians used these two things to mummify their dead. Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are responsible for this phenomenon. This means that the salt in the lake hardens their bodies which makes them look like stone. The lake has a mirror-like surface that tricks birds into diving in, leading to their death.ĭo birds actually become stone in Lake Natron?Īny birds that dive into the lake are calcified. Notably, some species of fish, invertebrates are able to survive toward the outer portions of the lake. Their tough skin safeguards them from burns.īesides, the lake is a safe breeding ground as its toxicity keeps predators away. The area also receives very little rainfall. This hypersaline environment leads to the growth of haloarchaea, salt-loving microorganisms, giving it the red color. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind high amounts of salt. The temperature of the lake can rise to 60 degree celsius. Unlike other lakes, the water in the lake doesn't flow out and keeps getting collected. The caustic lake creates a crust on the bodies of any animals or birds that fall into it. The lake is full of sodium carbonate and some salts released from the volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai. The extremely alkaline water in this lake has a pH as high as 10.5 and can burn the skin and eyes of animals that are not adapted to it. The pH level of the lake is as high as that of ammonia. The water in this lake is considered deadly because of its extremely high alkaline nature. Lake Natron in Tanzania, East Africa is different from your regular lakes.įirstly, it is red in color, with varying shades of orange and pink as well. Janu| 02:55 pm 3 min read Lake Natron in Tanzania kills several animals unlucky enough to enter the water and calcifies them. ![]()
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