![]() The unique color comes from cyanobacteria that photosynthesize into bright red and orange hues as the water evaporates and salinity rises before that process occurs during the dry season, the lake is blue.īut one species actually makes life among all that death-flamingos. The water is oversaturated with salt, can reach temperatures of 140 degrees and has a pH between 9 and 10.5-so corrosive that it can calcify those remains, strip ink off printed materials and burn the skin and eyes of unadapted animals. The lake's landscape is surreal and deadly-and made even more bizarre by the fact that it's the place where nearly 75 percent of the world's lesser flamingos are born. Bats, swallows and more are chemically preserved in the pose in which they perished deposits of sodium carbonate in the water (a chemical once used in Egyptian mummification) seal the creatures in their watery tomb. The truth about Lake Natron is far more interesting than myths.At the base of a mountain in Tanzania’s Gregory Rift, Lake Natron burns bright red, surrounded by the calcified remains of animals that were unfortunate enough to fall into the salty water. Its unique ecosystem underscores the balance between life and death, showcasing how even in the harshest conditions, life finds a way to not just survive, but thrive. Lake Natron is an excellent reminder of how nature is full of surprises and adaptations. But there’s more to this lake than meets the eye. Its eeriness, the ghostly images of life arrested in time, is a fascinating aspect of its lure. For this reason, it it’s a magnet for both tourists and scientists alike. The juxtaposition between Lake Natron’s beauty and harshness is stark. The lake’s extreme conditions keep the flamingos safe from predators, while the algae thriving in the salty water serve as a rich food source. Yet, despite its harshness, Lake Natron is the chosen breeding ground for more than 2.5 million Lesser Flamingos. So while it’s not turning beings to stone, it’s not exactly a friendly dip. Touching the water could cause burns, especially to the eyes and skin of unadapted animals and humans. With temperatures that can reach up to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit), it’s inhospitable for many species. However, that doesn’t mean Lake Natron is all welcoming. ![]() But instant petrification? That’s a myth. ![]() Similar to how ancient Egyptians used natron to mummify bodies, the lake’s water can preserve and give a stony appearance to those unfortunate creatures that end up in its depths. The animals, likely dead before they touched Natron’s waters, were preserved by its alkalinity. But the reality is less fantastical and more scientific. Photographer Nick Brandt published a series of hauntingly beautiful images of calcified animals along Lake Natron’s shores, triggering rumors that its water could turn creatures to stone. But before you jump to a petrifying conclusion, let’s debunk that myth. In stark contrast to its resident fishes, the lake has been accused of turning birds and other animals into statues. These hardy creatures adapted to Lake Natron’s harsh conditions and live quite happily in its waters. Three species of fish, Alcolapia alcalica, Alcolapia latilabris, and Alcolapia ndalalani, call this caustic lake home. With these numbers, you might think nothing could survive here. Add in some salt and mineral impurities, and you have a lake with a pH as high as 10.5. It gets its name from natron, a naturally occurring mixture of sodium carbonate decahydrate and around 17% sodium bicarbonate. Lake Natron, nestled in the Great Rift Valley, is a salt lake. It’s rumored to turn animals into stone (though that’s not quite true). Imagine a vast shimmering pink and red body of water so caustic that it burns your skin and eyes. Tanzania’s Lake Natron is not your average lake.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |