"No do not approach this lake you will get decomposed. its cursed!" This is what we are most likely hear in movies and books BUT not in real life!
In Tanzania, lake Narton is pretty much the lake of "doom": almost every animal dies and calcifies if it makes any contact with the treacherous water. Weirdly birds are attracted to this lake. Below you can see pictures of these unfortunate animals:
In Tanzania, lake Narton is pretty much the lake of "doom": almost every animal dies and calcifies if it makes any contact with the treacherous water. Weirdly birds are attracted to this lake. Below you can see pictures of these unfortunate animals:
Narton is an actual naturally compound made of sodium carbonate (with minute amounts of bicarbonate). Volcanic ash contain sodium carbonate and unsurprisingly this lake is within the grip of a famous neighboring volcano. Awkwardly, photographers liked these pictures that they made portraits out of them. Photographer Nick Brandt said I could not help but photograph them.
Now the question is: what is the principal cause of animal calcification?
Due to the big amount of sodium bicarbonate inside water, the overall PH of the lake increased dramatically to PH 10. Also water temperatures could reach 70 degrees Celsius. So this combination of PH, Temperature extremes makes the lake inhabitable for animals. According to theverge: "With a pH that ranges from 9 to 10.5, and water temperatures that can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the lake is so inhospitable that it kills most wildlife that wind up in its depths". Why animals are attracted to this lake? Scientists noticed that the lake's surface has an unprecedented glow. Reflection confuses birds that they crash into the lake.
On the other side, one special fish called alcolapia alcalica (which is an alkaline tilapia) has this ability to live under these extreme and harsh conditions. More research are being conducted to understand how they could survive very alkaline environments. What do you think? would you take a swim?
Reference:
This is very creepy but cool at the same time. It's crazy how when most animals come in contact with this lake they are doomed, but this one fish has been able to adapt to the environment. And to answer your question, I think I'll just stay on the shore.
ReplyDeleteI saw this article on Facebook the other day and was so intrigued!! I think it is amazing the way the fish adapted. I also must admit that it makes for some pretty cool pictures though at the expense of some birds' lives. I wouldn't take a swim, but I might try to nominate someone else that doesn't know about the lake! :]]
ReplyDeleteSoon I will be inviting my enemies to Tanzania to "clear the air" :P
DeleteThat is one wicked cool picture of the bat. Sad for the bat, but interesting learning experience, am I right? This story is crazy! It's amazing how this lake causes just about every animal it comes into contact with to die and become calcified, but this fish can just keep swimming! Very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing pictures, sad for wildlife though. You find this article just in time for Halloween. I know I would not like to take a swim but it would be cool to see this fish that is able to live in this lake.
ReplyDeleteYes the pictures are pretty amazing! creepy as well!
DeleteI have two questions about this phenomenon. The first being, how are these animals able to fly into the river, yet are photographed on branches and such. Am I over thinking this? Is it that they are diving head first into the water, then later decay to death after leaving the lake?
ReplyDeleteSecondly, if these conditions are so bad for any type or form of life, how are these fish surviving. What could possibly be in lake that is nourishing enough to continue life?
Just random questions that I had while reading. Interesting topic nonetheless!!
Well, no dead animals are collected from the river and then photographed on the branch you see for artistic purposes. As for the fishes they might have a skin that is hard enough to resist these PH extremes or these kinds of fishes "operates" at these PH's. I am just throwing assumptions. I maybe just look more into the physiology of this fish to understand its ability to withstand these extremes...
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