Some cyanobacteria, for example, are halophile creatures that create their own food through photosynthesis, just like plants. Salinity levels rise when water evaporates in the dry season, allowing salt-loving microbes to flourish. Lake Natron’s color is indicative of lakes with extremely high evaporation rates. The lake has been able to concentrate into a caustic alkaline brine as a result of this. Carbonate is abundant in the lavas, although magnesium and calcium levels are quite low. The neighboring bedrock is made up of alkaline, sodium concentrated trachyte lavas that date back to the Pleistocene. The lake’s alkalinity can exceed a pH of 12. Trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate) and Natron (sodium carbonate decahydrate) have been left behind due to high amounts of evaporation. Lake Natron’s temperature is usually above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The surrounding region experiences erratic seasonal rainfall, with an annual total of 800 mm (31 inches) falling primarily between May and December. Lake Natron has a breadth of 57km (35 miles) and is 22 km (14 miles) broad at its widest point. It is relatively shallow, measuring only up to three meters (9.8 feet) deep, and its breadth changes depending on the water level. The Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River, which originates from central Kenya, and hot springs rich in minerals are the main sources of water supply for the Lake Natron.

Satellite image of the lake on 6 March 2017 The lake is located inside Lake Natron Basin, which is a Ramsar Site wetland of worldwide importance. It is located in the Gregory Rift, which is part of the East African Rift Valley‘s eastern branch. Lake Natron is an alkaline or saline lake in Tanzania’s Arusha Region, located in the north Ngorongoro District. 1.3 Threats to the Environment and Preservation Surrounding Lake Natron.1 Lake Natron – Flora, Fauna, Preservation, Visiting and More.

Lake natron facts