![]() Almost all species that ingest this algae suffer damage to their cells, nervous systems, and livers due to the toxin it secretes. Ol Doinyo Lengai.įor what sinister reason does Lake Natron carry such a high death toll?Ī large number of cyanobacteria can be found in Lake Natron’s water. Overlooking Lake Natron and its abundant birdlife is the snow-capped peak of Mt. Even astronauts have reported seeing a reddish hue in the ocean.ĭuring the summer, the lake can reach temperatures of 60 ☌ (140 ☏) or higher! On its eastern coast, you’ll find some hot springs. The water color can change to red.īecause of the algae that flourish in Lake Natron’s hypersaline environment, the lake’s water can take on a reddish or orange hue. The lake is the world’s most important breeding site for lesser flamingos. The bacterium in Lake Natron that kills most bird species has little effect on flamingos. Flamingos succeed when other animals fail. It’s ideal for the growth of bacteria that poisons the digestive systems of everything that drinks it. Large quantities of salt, soda, and magnesite can be found in Lake Natron. There’s something noxious in the lake’s water, which is a major problem. The water in the lake is extremely alkaline because it has leached through the volcanic material of adjacent Mt. A lake fed by a volcanoĭue to its lack of drains, the lake relies on occasional streams and springs for its water supply. This is due to the lake’s location in a desert. There is only about 400 millimeters of rain that falls annually on Lake Natron, and much of that is “phantom rain” that evaporates before reaching the lake. In order to impress your friends and family, consider passing along the following information. Animals that meet their untimely demise in Lake Natron are preserved wonderfully thanks to the presence of sodium carbonate deposits, the same substance employed in Egyptian mummification.Įxciting information about Lake Natron in 6 easy points The alkalinity of the lake’s water is a result of the sodium carbonate and other minerals that seep down from the hills and into the lake. This water is so strong that it can cause severe damage to the skin and eyes of animals that aren’t used to it. Lake Natron is home to extremely alkaline water, with a pH that can reach 10.5. Observing them eat while holding their bills upside down is a fascinating sight.Īlthough Lake Natron in Tanzania is one of Africa’s most peaceful lakes, it is also the setting for some of the most surreal photographs ever taken, in which animals appear to have been transformed into statuestopi. The flamingos performed magnificently, marching in perfect line with their proud heads held high. Thousands of flamingos call these alkaline waters home since algae is the only food source available. The red tint of Lake Natron is caused by the presence of salt-loving microorganisms that are able to thrive in the lake’s extremely salty environment. It is estimated that 2.5 million lesser flamingos use Lake Natron in East Africa as their major nesting habitat. In spite of its unsettling proximity to a potentially lethal body of water, the area is teeming with unusual plant and animal species.Īway from civilization, wild, and alone you can find Lake Natron in northeast Tanzania, between the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands. The lake’s high natron content makes it extremely alkaline, making it one of the most toxic places on Earth. Most of Lake Natron’s water comes from the mineral-rich hot springs and the Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River.Įvaporation is high because water cannot drain from the lake, and the byproducts are natron (sodium carbonate decahydrate) and trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate). Lake’s maximum dimensions are 56 km in length and 22 km in width. Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano located south of Lake Natron, is the dominant feature of the area. Lake Natron is located north of the Ngorongoro Crater and east of the Tanzanian border with Kenya. These intriguing animals have adapted to the lake’s high salt content, which provides a safe breeding ground free of natural enemies. The pinkish waters of the lake are the sole reliable breeding ground for 2.5 million lesser flamingos in all of East Africa. ![]() ![]() Lake Natron in Tanzania is a highly inhospitable environment, with alkalinity levels above pH 12 and temperatures reaching 60 ☌. Exciting information about Lake Natron in 6 easy points.
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