Life-Threatening: Even a Drop of Water from This Lake Will Leave Ulcers and Burns on Your Skin

Do you remember Medusa the Gorgon, the famous heroine of ancient Greek myths? Her deadly gaze turned people to stone. In Africa there is a lake that could rival her.

Where is Lake Natron located?

It is located in Africa, more precisely in Tanzania. The lake is shallow, only 3 meters deep, but wide — from one shore to the other 22 kilometers. Several communities live near Natron, having migrated from South Sudan around the 1700s. They can be recognized by their red-and-blue outfits and bright beaded ornaments worn by all the women of the tribe.

But the local people know: it is better not even to go near the lake. The remains of animals and birds always lie around it. That is precisely why Natron earned its fame as a «deadly beautiful» lake.

So what is the matter?

The water of Natron has too high a concentration of cyanobacteria, which release a very dangerous substance. Once it gets into the body, it kills cells, the nervous system, and the liver. This is what explains the large number of dead animals near Natron. In addition, the lake has a high concentration of salt and alkali, so the bodies become calcified and turn into mummies. In summer the water temperature equals 60 °C. Therefore even a drop of water, getting onto a person's skin, can lead to a serious burn

What explains Natron's red color?

The lake has an unusual red color of water, which can be seen even from space! This is due to the bloom of algae, which colors the water. In addition, Natron is located near the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. When lava rich in sodium and potassium carbonates flows down the slopes and gets into the lake, it also takes on a rich, bright shade.

A paradise for flamingos

Amazingly, the birds, colored to match the lake, are not at all afraid of the lake's cyanobacteria. Moreover, the algae-rich lake water is their source of nourishment. They filter out the salt and can cope with the scalding temperatures. Usually flamingos keep to cooler places, but if necessary they can wander into the depths. Their skin is tough enough to prevent burns. Considering that the chemically dangerous red water scares off predators, no one hunts flamingos here. That is why Natron is the world's largest breeding ground for these birds.