Surviving Lake Natron
Great Rift Valley, Tanzania

Lake Natron is the world’s most inhospitable lake. Rain leaches volcanic ash from the soil into the lakewater, making it extremely salty and alkaline. It can easily reach pH 10.

A reddish salty crust floats atop the lake, giving it a caustic cast. The crust is tinted by red-pigmented bacteria that survive on the salt. White salt deposits coat the mud flats that surround the lake.  

Most animals avoid Lake Natron. But some, like lesser flamingos, can thrive here, as the blue-green algae on the lake’s surface are their only food source. In fact, few predators make the unique lake the only safe haven for lesser flamingos to breed in Africa.

Image Credits
Africa and Natron area – NASA Terra satellite - MODIS
Lake Natron  - NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
Flamingo and Lake Natron Photos – Julio Teigell / http://www.kibo-safaris.com/