![]() ![]() All of these carbonates are coming from the alkaline lava found in the general area of the Rift Valley. These caustic aka ‘soda lakes’ ensure that the waters there are saturated with carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. The solubility of the hydrated form of carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) is what increases in higher pH solutions. Well, for those of you sticklers out there, this isn’t entirely true either. the amount of it that can stay dissolved in the water) is greater at higher pH. Still confused? Here’s a quick chemistry refresher. ![]() The characteristic warm temperatures and abundance of direct sunlight in this shallow lake may make sense at first glance, but what about that awful pH? Haven’t we been taught that life prefers a pH closer to 7? Well, not necessarily if you are a cyanobacterium that feeds on carbon dioxide. These salt-loving superphotosynthesizers also transfer their color to the millions of lesser flamingoes that feed on them and use the lake as their nesting ground.Īs it turns out, the conditions in Lake Natron make it one of the most productive environments, photosynthetically speaking. The predominant strains include species of Spirulina, Cyanospira, Synechococcus and Chroococcus. At the producer trophic level, it supports several different species of cyanobacteria that give the lake its red color. While shallow Lake Natron is an extreme environment with a pH greater than 10 and water temperatures of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it supports a thriving ecosystem. ![]() Satellite imagery of Lake Natron with features labelled. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |