In the northern part of Tanzania, near the Kenyan border, there is a lake called Lake Natron, which at first glance might seem like an ordinary lake. However, it is actually one of the harshest bodies of water in the world.
The water in this lake has a high temperature and an extreme alkalinity, with a pH level as high as 12 — equivalent to bleach! It is also rich in natron, a mixture of sodium carbonate and other salts.
This lake has no outlet, so as the water evaporates, the minerals become more concentrated, making it toxic to most living creatures. However, certain species like the dwarf flamingo and alkaline tilapia fish have adapted and can survive in these extreme conditions.
What made Lake Natron famous are the viral images taken by photographer Nick Brandt, which show animals that appear to be “turned to stone.” In reality, these are animal carcasses that have been dried, hardened, and preserved in a mummy-like state by the water in the lake, without any decay.
This process is similar to the ancient Egyptian mummification technique, as the natron minerals draw moisture and fat from the body. For humans, although entering the water may not be immediately fatal, the high alkalinity can cause severe skin burns.
In summary, Lake Natron does not turn animals into stone, but rather it “dries them out to look like statues” — a remarkable natural phenomenon that is both brutal and beautiful at the same time.
Source: https://www.discoverwildlife.com
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