In addition, local environmental change and global climate change over the past 50 years have altered the hydrological characteristics of the catchment.Īrchival Landsat imagery (1984–2011) has been used to establish baseline data about the past hydrological variability of the lake by applying the Modified Normalised Difference Water Index (MNDWI). Both developments will significantly alter the hydrology and ecology of the lake and could impact flamingo breeding. Lake Natron is threatened by two proposed developments: a multi-purpose dam, to be built on the Ewaso Ngiro (South) River (45% of the lake's catchment area), and a soda ash extraction factory.

The lake is of critical importance as the sole breeding site for East Africa's population of Lesser Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor), a species which is classified as near-threatened due to decreasing numbers and limited suitable breeding sites (IUCN). Live Science describes the dead animals as having “chalky sodium carbonate deposits outlining their bodies.Landsat satellite imagery was used to investigate the ecohydrological sustainability of Tanzania's Lake Natron. “A calcified flamingo, preserved by the highly basic waters of Tanzania’s Lake Natron and photographed by Nick Brandt,” reads National Geographic’s caption of one of the photos included in the Facebook post. The photographs included in the post were taken by photographer Nick Brandt in 2013, who collected the animal carcasses around the lake’s shoreline and posed them for the pictures, the outlet reported. The dead animals in the photos were not instantly turned to stone by the lake, but rather became calcified due to the characteristics of the lake, according to National Geographic. “Any animal which touches the lake turns into stone.” (RELATED: Does This Image Show A Heart-Shaped Pond In Zimbabwe?) “Natron Lake in Tanzania is the most (sic) deadliest place for animals,” reads text included in the image. The image shows what appears to be the petrified remains of two birds sitting on a body of water.

An image shared on Facebook claims it turns any animal that touches it to stone. Lake Natron in Tanzania is a saltwater lake with a pH of 10.5 (nearly as high as that of ammonia) and temperatures up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

Natron lake mystery