alkaline Lake Natron

Tanzania’s Lake Natron is saline and strongly alkaline; NASA reports that its pH can reach about 9–10.5 depending on rainfall. Red and orange hues come from pigmented microorganisms, including salt-loving archaea and cyanobacteria, and vary with conditions in the lake. Most animals are not adapted to this chemistry, but some microorganisms, specialized fish, and lesser flamingos use the lake and its shallows.