Lake Natron

Soda lake

The highly alkaline Lake Natron ( Lake Natron ) is a lake in the eastern arm of the East African Rift. He is, together with the Lake Magadi in Magadi - Natron basin ( 2 ° 15'0 '' S, 36 ° 2'0 '' E ). The lake level of Lake Natron is subject to considerable variation, as well as the pH, which varies between pH 9 and pH 10.5.

Geography

The lake is in the eastern part of the East African grave breach ( Great Rift Valley) at the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. It is located entirely within the state of Tanzania in the settlement area of the Maasai and is fed by the Ewaso Nyiro south and by mineral-rich hot springs.

The hydrological budget of the very negative endorheic lake is not compensated by the precipitation in the 23,207 km ² large catchment area. This and the unusually basic igneous rocks around cause severe salinity and alkalinity of the water. The lake is one of the most famous soda lakes.

Flora and Fauna

The lake is the home of a remarkable variety of birds, notably a strong population of Lesser Flamingos with up to 2.5 million individuals. The lake has four cichlid species of the genus Alcolapia (A. alcalica, A. grahami, A. and A. latilabris ndalalani ). The reddish color of the lake that can be seen from outer space to some extent, is caused by billions of brine shrimp ( Artemia salina, etc.) that are only a few millimeters in size and belong to the main food of flamingos.

Curiosities

British wildlife photographer Nick Brandt found in his scouting Lake Natron well preserved carcasses of birds and bats that have been washed up on the shore. The high amount of sodium and salt in the water led to a calcification on the body of the animals that prevented further decay.

Historical

Since 2008, approximately 120,000 -year-old fossil footprints of modern humans are analyzed, which had been impressed at what was then the edge of the lake in fresh volcanic ash. A total of 350 prints have been proven to 150 square meters, more than 30 individuals ( men, women and children) come, who were probably in two groups on the go.