![]() ![]() ![]() Photographer Nick Brandt, discovered this phenomenon in Tanzania, featuring his finds in a new collection of photographs of east African animals, Across the Ravaged Land. As new salt islands form within the lake, flamingos flock to the area to mate and snack on fish and algae. But as the photographs reveal, even flamingos die and come to rest in this watery grave, calcifying within the lake’s shallow waters. Only the Alkaline tilapia, an extremophile fish, and bacteria are adapted to survive in such a harsh, poisonous environment. Although Lake Natron may seem completely inhospitable to birds, it is a nesting hotspot for the lesser flamingo. When an animal dies and falls in the lake, the high concentration of salt inhibits complete decay and begins to crystalize on the remains, protecting them from further decomposition. Created by a mixture of hydrous sodium carbonate and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), it results from volcanic ash that accumulated from the Great Rift Valley. This extremely basic pH level deters decomposition and in turn helps preserve remains.īut why? Well, the lake gets its name from natron, a natural salt compound commonly used by ancient Egyptians in their preservation and embalming process. Again, that’s part of the lake’s allure.Temperatures in the lake can reach 60 ☌ (140 ☏), with an alkalinity between pH 9 and pH 10.5. While Lake Natron is not particularly hospitable, the freshwater wetlands around its edges are far more welcoming to a variety of life. That being said, what life does manage to carve out an existence there makes it a key environment. It is an incredibly important wetland region that isn’t exactly teeming with wildlife due to its high temperatures and dangerous waters. ![]() Located in the Arusha Region of the African country of Tanzania, this body of water is part of the larger Lake Natron Basin. (Photo by Marcus Valance/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) It is the only wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania bordering the sea. It has an area of 1062 km2 and was officially gazetted in 2005, from a game reserve which had existed from 1969. ![]() Saadani National Park is Tanzania’s 13th National Park. DAR ES SALAAM, SAADANI, TANZANIA – 1: A Baobab Tree stands alone in an area cleared of forest with a tractor parked next to it showing the incredible magnitude of the indigenous tree at Saadani National Park. ![]()
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