Lifeless Lake Natron. Bloody lake of Africa with dried salt skeletons of animals. Dead Lake Natron, Tanzania. Why do birds die

Our planet is filled with amazing and sometimes completely inexplicable phenomena and places. There is a list of seven ancient miracles Sveta. In fact, there are many more of them. Some have become real attractions and attract masses of tourists. all year round. Others are located in inaccessible areas, and few are lucky enough to observe them. Most of them are beautiful, but there are also those that are simply shocking with their strange beauty. The latter includes the phenomenon of Lake Natron.

Features of Lake Natron

Lake Natron is the most alkaline body of water on planet Earth. It is located in the northern part of Tanzania, near the border with neighboring Kenya. The reservoir received its name not by chance, but from the mineral of the same name, which this area is rich in. There is another version. It’s as if the lake got its name because of its color, which means “red.” The reservoir is fed from hot mineral springs and the Iwaso Nyiro River.

Natron has a relatively shallow depth - less than three meters. It depends on the season and is constantly changing. In summer, the lake is much shallower due to strong evaporation. It is at this time that the concentration of salt and sodium carbonate in the water increases, and the surface of the reservoir becomes covered with a thin crust. Mineral salts get here along with the ash of a volcano located in the East African Rift Valley.

Uniqueness of the area

The lake itself is a very mysterious and unique phenomenon. Natron is part of the same rift valley, which is more than a million years old. It appeared here thanks to volcanic eruptions. Even now, this volcanic zone is considered one of the most active in the world. The volcano closest to the lake is called Lengai. Locals they claim that he woke up in 2008. This is not known for sure, but the fact that he still does not sleep is a fact. IN last time An eruption was observed in 2010.

The surrounding area of ​​the lake is also rich in archaeological surprises. Excavations were once carried out here, during which they found the remains of Homo Sapiens, which had lain in the ground for more than thirty thousand years. Researchers claim that previously hominids lived along the shores of the lake, which, according to some versions, were the ancestors of modern people. Nowadays, the Salei tribe lives here. These are representatives of the Maasai clan, they are engaged in cattle breeding, thanks to which they exist.

Killer beauty

The phenomenon known as the Lake Natron phenomenon is an eerie sight. There you can see petrified statues of birds and even some animals. And these are not man-made sculptures of sculptors, but real birds that have fallen into a deadly trap. Once in the lake, they die almost instantly, and their bodies become covered with minerals, turning into these creepy statues, like pictures from horror films.

The phenomenon of Lake Natron has a scientific explanation. The thing is that the alkalinity of its water is approximately 9–10.5 pH at water temperatures up to 60°C. This is what causes the death of the fauna that end up here. Despite the deadly phenomenon of Lake Natron in Tanzania, several species of inhabitants have somehow managed to take root in it. Among them are unique fish for which the alkaline environment is completely harmless. It’s not for nothing that they are called alkaline telapia.

The ability to kill and turn birds into mineral statues is the most unique and shocking phenomenon of Lake Natron. Photos of these natural statues were first taken by photographer Nick Brandt. He accidentally discovered them during his trip to Africa. His photographs became part of the report. The frozen birds seem alive from a distance, but in fact, having touched the deadly water, they have long since turned to stone. Many who saw these creepy sculptures compared the lake with the mythical River Styx, which leads to the kingdom of the dead.

Flamingo Abode

But the Lake Natron phenomenon is not limited to dead sculptures. A lot of small flamingos live here. This is a rather rare species, but Lake Natron is one of the places of their mass accumulation and reproduction. The most beautiful birds are under reliable protection of the waters of the lake, since they build their nests on hillocks of salt located in the middle of the water. It is dangerous for the chicks, who may accidentally fall out of the nest, and it is no less dangerous for predators to get to them.

In 1962, there was a major flood, as a result of which the flamingo population suffered significantly. According to researchers, more than a million eggs were destroyed then. However, visiting these regions now, you can observe about two million flamingos at the same time.

Bloody water

The alkalinity in the lake tends to increase due to evaporation. Due to this, some bacteria are activated. Due to their vital activity, the water in the lake turns red from time to time. This type of bacteria includes cyanobacteria. It is able to absorb light during photosynthesis and produce a bright red pigment. This ability gives the water an appropriate tint.

“Bloody water” is another phenomenon of Lake Natron. Indeed, the lake is stunning not only with stone sculptures of birds. True, there is an assumption that in fact the water does not kill the birds, they died a natural death. The fumes simply coated their remains with salt and mineral deposits, causing them to fossilize. And the photographer, who became famous himself and made Lake Natron famous, simply found them on the shore, planted them on branches as if they were alive, in order to give the effect of instant death from touching the water surface. Lake Natron in Tanzania is an incredibly beautiful area with magnificent landscapes, which has no analogues in the world.

The sunniest continent on our planet is Africa. Almost its entire territory is located in the equatorial and subtropical climatic zones. The nature of this continent is very heterogeneous. Over the past hundred years, due to the ruthless attitude, due to the colonization of territories, it has changed a lot, but it is still an amazing animal and vegetable world continue to attract attention with their diversity and originality.

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IN Lately people began to treat the environment more humanely. In Africa a huge number of national nature reserves. Especially where there is water and they are full of diversity of life. One of the states equipped by African standards water resources, is Tanzania. There are many such parks here; they are rich in exotic flora and fauna that are found only in these places.

In the northern part of the country, on the border with Kenya is located unusual lake. It is called Natron, after the name of the mineral, sodium carbonate, which predominates in it. Its depth, even during the rainy season from May to December, does not exceed three meters. The lake is fed thermal springs and the Ewaso Ngiro River, which originates in the north, in Kenya, in a very mineral-rich area. The maximum length of Natron is 57 km, width 22 km, while the outlines of the coast are constantly changing under the influence of the sun.

Why do birds die

Lake water contains a lot of salt, soda, and other minerals. During the hot season, their concentration is so high that the surface of the water resembles a mirror and becomes invisible to birds and other animals. And since its temperature reaches 50 degrees Celsius, there is practically no chance of survival for living creatures, who apparently fell into the trap by mistake. When animals fall into the water, they die instantly, and their carcasses, covered with minerals, harden and become like stone sculptures, remain on the shore, which looks like a snow-white, numb desert.

The frightening beauty of the lake

Unique photographs were taken by the creator of many popular video clips, Nick Brandt, at Lake Natron. The artist depicted lifeless birds and bats in motion. His photographs are mesmerizing with their black and white elegance, reminiscent of scenes from horror films.

This is not the only frightening feature of the lake. Halophilic cyanobacteria live in its waters. Absorbing light, they turn red. Because of this, the water, where it is deeper, becomes bloody in color, and in shallow water it becomes pink and orange. Since the concentration of minerals is high, it becomes covered with a crust, which decorates the surface with a pattern and gives it a cracked appearance.

The lake takes on a very ominous shape. To complete the experience, there is also the smell that comes from evaporating water, saturated with alkali. Especially from a bird's eye view, the landscape is frightening, but at the same time delights with its devilish charm.

Lake inhabitants

It is worth noting that such lifeless pictures do not accompany the lake throughout the entire territory and not all the time. Natron's beauty isn't all that lethal. In its waters, in addition to bacteria, there are fish. Of course, they are unusual fish, since they chose the local waters as their habitat. This is alkaline telapia. Moreover, there are two types of them living here. It must be said that these types of telapia are not found anywhere else. Aquarium fish lovers appreciate them for their unpretentiousness and beauty: golden with blue fins. Gourmets – for the abundance of protein and taste.

The lake area serves as an excellent refuge for two and a half million small flamingos. Every year they fly here. This is practically the only place suitable for their reproduction. The unpleasant smell and high water temperature scare away predators and make the salt islands of the lake suitable for safely incubating eggs and raising chicks.

The huge, constantly moving pink fields look impressive. And the flying birds will not leave anyone indifferent. Of course, we have all seen on TV the picture of flamingos taking off in a huge cloud, but not a single operator will be able to convey the sounds of wings mixed with the cries of birds, and the special air of Lake Natron.

Legends

The reservoir is located in the Great Rift Fault area. This is almost the most active volcanic zone on our planet. The Ol Donyo Lengai volcano, next to which the lake is located, does not sleep. From time to time, it covers the surrounding areas with ashes, which are not rich in life anyway. Translated from the language of local tribes, this volcano is called “Mountain of the Gods”.

According to legend, Natron is a blanket created by the spirits living in the volcano for God Lengai, the creator of all living things according to the myths of the indigenous population. The people bringing civilization to these areas were going to build a chemical plant for the extraction of caustic soda on the shore of the lake and a power plant in its northern part. But the local shamans dissuaded them, citing the fact that they could provoke the wrath of the Gods, hence the volcanic eruption. Construction plans have been suspended, but the further fate of Lake Natron is unknown.

The indigenous inhabitants of these places are the Salei tribe from the Massai clan. They raise livestock, sell meat and milk. According to legends, this is a tribe of great warriors. They learned this art from a legion of Roman soldiers who were once lost in these areas of Africa. Every man who has reached the age of 15, according to ancient custom, proves his skills in fights with his fellow tribesmen; they must be good at using a spear, a bow, and be able to hunt skillfully.

The area adjacent to the lake has an almost untouched appearance. In addition to the villages of local tribes, constantly wandering in search of better pastures, there are only a few campsites that accept a few tourists who want to climb mountain peaks, to the craters of volcanoes, and hunt buffalo, savannah zebra, lion, hyena, jackal, leopard, and small cats. , some antelopes and gazelles, other animals.

The so-called photo safari is especially popular here. After all, there are no such terrifying landscapes as on Lake Natron anywhere else. And, although there are still many red-colored salty reservoirs on Earth, you cannot find such ones that excite the imagination and chill the soul.

Lake Natron is a real natural phenomenon, frightening with its properties. It consists of salt and alkali, which turns the reservoir into dangerous place. The lake received its name in honor of a similar mineral, which can be mined in abundance in the surrounding area. Moreover, surrounded unusual place there is an active volcano, which also affects the properties of the miracle of nature.

Key indicators of Lake Natron

The reservoir is located in Tanzania in the Arusha region. Its main source of nutrition is the Ewaso Ngiro River, rich in minerals. The depth of the lake does not exceed three meters, while in the summer it dries out significantly due to high temperatures. The maximum recorded length is 57 km, and the width is 22 km. In wetlands, during the period of evaporation, the water temperature can reach 60 degrees, and the pH value ranges from 9 to 10.5.

Due to strong evaporation and emissions from the volcano in the summer, the concentration of salt and soda increases significantly, causing the surface to become crusty and mineral bumps forming everywhere. They give the area a picturesque quality that is unlikely to be found anywhere else.

Red waters creating an eerie impression

As a result of high mineralization and the unique properties of the reservoir, the lake is not suitable for life for most representatives of flora and fauna. However, it is inhabited by microorganisms that, when the temperature rises, actively absorb the products of photosynthesis and release substances into the reservoir that color it blood-red.

Such an eerie sight is mitigated by hundreds of small flamingos that have chosen Lake Natron as their breeding ground. Due to the danger posed by the waters, predators do not come here. Birds are not afraid of an alkaline environment, as they build their nests on protruding areas of salt deposits. Of course, there is a risk of active chicks falling into the water, which will lead to their death, but this does not happen often.

The cause of the mass disappearance of eggs in 1962 was a flood that drowned the entire brood of lesser flamingos. This reduced their numbers, but the flock has now grown again. Tourists visiting these places can admire the charm of the red waters and the many pink birds making their nests.

Deadly fumes as a source of inspiration

The unusual natural property of the lake turns animals into stone at the slightest touch to its surface. Death occurs due to hot fumes that many species cannot tolerate. An abundance of salt and soda with fumes instantly covers the bodies of killed animals and birds, turning them into mummies. This phenomenon was first discovered by Nick Brandt, who took a series of photographs and organized an exhibition dedicated to the deadly beauty of Lake Natron.

Lake Natron is one of Tanzania's most famous natural attractions. It is famous for the fact that the water in the lake is bright red, and the birds that once flew over this place turn into salty stones. About the existence of an unusual body of water to the broad masses It became known relatively recently: several years ago, photos of Lake Natron in Tanzania were published in a British magazine.

General information

Natron is the saltiest and most alkaline body of water not only in East Africa, but also in the world, and the characteristic muddy red color is just a thick crust of salt that covers the lake. Due to global environmental changes that are currently occurring in the world, in the near future there is a great threat that the salt balance in Natron, unique in composition, may be upset. And this can lead to the extinction of unique microorganisms living in the reservoir.

The lake is located near the Tanzania-Kenya border and covers an area of ​​just under 1040 sq.m. It reaches no more than 57 km in length and about 21 km in width. In the warmest months, the water temperature in the reservoir can exceed 50-60 °C. The average depth of Natron is 1.5 meters, and in the deepest places - 3 meters. A tributary of the lake is the Ewaso Ngiro River, which originates in northern Kenya.

Flora and fauna

Lake Natron is home to only 3 species of microorganisms, and is also the birthplace of 75% of the flamingos living on Earth. This is an ideal place for “children of the sunset” - due to the increased salt balance, predators and other birds try to stay away from the lake. By the way, in order to see flamingos in Tanzania, it is better to fly to Natron in the summer - this is the breeding season for birds.

Only one species of fish can live in the lake - alkaline telapia. Over many millennia, they have adapted to harsh and dangerous conditions, and today Natron is the only place in the world where this species lives.

Due to its unique biodiversity, the lake was included in the list unique places following the Ramsar Convention and is part of the East African World Wildlife Fund.

Today, scientists around the world are opposed to the construction of a plant for the production and extraction of potash (later used to make washing powder) near the lake - such an unfavorable neighborhood could have a bad effect on the balance of salt in the reservoir and on the inevitable extinction of small flamingos in Africa. However, the indigenous people of Tanzania have a different truth: the factory could provide housing and work for more than 1,000 people.

By the way, the only people who live in these places are representatives of the ancient Salei tribe. They consider the lake a manifestation of divine power, and all their lives they wander along the shores of the salty reservoir.

Thus, even though the construction of the plant was suspended, there is still a threat of disappearance of the salty part of the lake. This could happen due to increased inflows and the possible construction of a new hydroelectric power station on Lake Ewaso Ng'iro.

Lake phenomenon

For many scientists, Natron in Tanzania is still a mystery. And if everything is clear with color (due to the high amount of salts, a red-pink crust is formed), then not everyone can explain another phenomenon (Lake Natron turns animals into stones).

The bird cemetery became known thanks to nature photographer Nick Brandt, who first published photographs of frozen birds in his magazine “Across the Ruined Land.” At first he was accused of being a staged photo shoot, but after some time, researchers nevertheless confirmed the veracity of these photos. After this, photos of Lake Natron began to spread quickly, and Tanzania became quite a popular tourist destination.

Many scientists explain the phenomenon of stone birds near Lake Natron in Tanzania as follows: due to the fact that the water temperature in some places reaches more than 60 ° C, and the water is very salty and alkaline, the birds entering the lake do not decompose, but freeze forever .

The only thing that biologists have not yet found an explanation for is why birds fly into the water. The most popular version: due to increased light reflectivity, birds lose orientation and, mistaking the water for the sky, fly downwards at full speed. Although there are other opinions: for example, some researchers believe that all the birds died a natural death, and were covered with salt afterward. However, photographer Nick Brandt, who has visited these places more than once, refutes this assumption.

But be that as it may, killer Lake Natron is also dangerous for people: you should not only swim here, but even touch the water, because you can simply get burned. In addition, it is not completely known what effect hot alkaline water can have on the human body - scientists are not yet in a hurry with experiments and conclusions.

Depending on the season, Lake Natron can look different: in the summer it dries up, and the ground where there used to be water is covered with huge cracks with salt. Seasonal rainfall in this part of Tanzania begins in August–September and lasts until December. The color of the water changes depending on the bacteria that are active in certain months of the year.

How to get to the lake from Arusha

The nearest city in Tanzania is Arusha, 240 km from the lake. You can get from here to this unique attraction by local bus, which will take four and a half hours. There are no trains in these parts at all, just as there are no separate excursions to the lake. However, you can purchase a tour to the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, which also includes a visit to Natron. There are many campsites at the base of the volcano.

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You can get to Arusha from: Nairobi in Kenya (4 hours), Dodoma (6 hours) in Tanzania and Dar es Salaam (9 hours on the way). The nearest airport is 50 km from Arusha.

Getting to Arusha and beyond is quite difficult and expensive, and this must be taken into account when planning your trip. But, as many tourists say, Lake Natron is so unique and unusual that it is definitely worth the money and effort spent.

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Lake Natron in Tanzania is one of the most serene yet frightening and incredible lakes in Africa.
It is located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level in the northern part of Tanzania, almost on the border with Kenya.

general information

Natron is salt Lake with a high alkali content. It is fed by the waters of the South Ewaso N'giro River, which flows in from the north. This river originates in the center of Kenya, in areas rich in mineral springs. Along the periphery of the lake there are hot mineral springs. Precipitation also plays an important role, falling here mainly from December to May and amounting to about 80 cm per year.

Lake Natron has an unusual red-pink color. This is explained by the fact that the water, which brings abundant amounts of minerals into the water area, gradually evaporates, and the minerals remain in the lake basin. In particular, the waters are rich in sodium (also called natron - sodium carbonate decahydrate) and its compounds. Deposits of salts and carbonates are an excellent habitat for some bacteria and microorganisms, which in turn paint the lake in such amazing colors.

By the way, the name of the lake comes from the chemical compound “natron”.

The lake was first discovered by Europeans in 1954.

The depth of Lake Natron is no more than 3 meters. Its size directly depends on the season and, naturally, the volume of water. The maximum dimensions are approximately 57 by 22 kilometers. The ratio of the surface area of ​​the lake to its depth makes this body of water more like a salt marsh.

It is noteworthy that the temperature of Lake Natron is more than 40 o C. In some places even more than 50 o C. The alkalinity of the water (or pH) reaches values ​​of 9 - 10.5. It would seem that nothing and no one could survive in such a chemical reservoir, but there is life here.

Flora and fauna of Lake Natron

Water evaporating during the dry season increases salinity to such an extent that the environment becomes favorable for salt-loving microorganisms. They begin to actively flourish. Cyanobacteria, using the process of photosynthesis in nutrition, are the main producers of the color of Lake Natron. The color of the water can have yellow, orange, pink and red shades, and depends on the season and the number of such microorganisms. The marshy salt and freshwater areas along the edges of the lake are habitat for many plants.

Lake Natron is the only permanent nesting site for lesser flamingos in East Africa. There are about 2.5 million individuals of this graceful bird species. It has been proven that about 75% of all birds of the “lesser flamingo” species appear on the shores of this lake.

In addition to flamingos, you can find about 100,000 other waterfowl here, many of which are migratory. As a rule, birds are common on the shallow shores of the lake. The large number of birds can be explained by the almost complete absence of predators in the lake area.

The only fish found in abundance in the lake is the whitefin or alkaline tilapia of the species Oreochromis alcalicus, which is endemic to the lake. This small fish lives along the edges of hot springs, where the water temperature is between 36 - 40 o C.

Threats to the lake

Although Lake Natron is a controversial sight, it is a valuable piece of nature and needs to be protected (like our entire planet).

In the early 2000s, significant threats to the lake and its existence emerged. On its banks it was planned to build a powerful chemical plant for the production of soda ash. A project for the construction of a hydroelectric power station in the area was also considered, which involved the construction of a dam in the northern part of the lake.
Both one and the second projects could cause serious damage to the ecosystem of the lake and its abodes. Fortunately, with the active intervention of environmentalists, both projects were abandoned.

Dead photo shoot on Lake Natron

Lake Natron is the source of some of the most fantastic and frightening photographs ever taken on the planet. They look as if the birds instantly froze and turned to stone. The author of these scary but amazing photographs is Nick Brandt.

On the shore of the lake, Brandt discovered the remains of flamingos and other animals with deposits of sodium carbonate, which sharply outlined their bodies. Moreover, there were quite a lot of such mummies. Nick selected some particularly impressive and well-preserved specimens and gave them the shape and attitude of a “living” person. The result was the famously frightening photographs. Here, for example, are these.

Some newspapers claimed that birds died almost instantly from contact with water, but this is completely untrue. No one can say for sure how these animals died, but most likely it was due to natural causes, and the water is absolutely not to blame. Thanks to its chemical composition, it only became an ideal preservative.

Lake Natron is not the only body of water on the planet with such an unnatural color of water. It wouldn't hurt to read about