There are many mysteries and secrets in the world. Despite the fact that science is developing at a superfast pace, and Mars and deep space are already being studied, scientists still have no answer to many questions on Earth. Among these puzzles are dead lakes.
Natural inkwell
In Algeria (Africa) is a reservoir filled with real ink. Yes, yes, not just lilac-colored water, but real ink, which is used to fill in pens and write in notebooks. They are sold in their pure form without additional chemical treatment in stores not only in Algeria, but also in other countries.
Ink Lake, or, as the natives call it, the “Eye of the Devil” is completely lifeless. There are no plants, no fish, no crustaceans, or other living creatures, since the liquid that splashes on the shores of the lake is not water, but a solid toxic chemistry.
Scientists, studying this phenomenon, hypothesized that the reason for the unusual composition of the water are two rivers that flow into the Ink Lake. One carries with it a huge amount of iron salts, the other is extremely rich in organic matter. Mixing in the lake basin, they enter into a chemical interaction, as a result of which water turns into ink.
This hypothesis was greatly shaken by an experiment during which the water of these two rivers was mixed under laboratory conditions, and … nothing happened. Water has not turned into ink. Now, scientists have to find that possible catalyst that stimulates a chemical reaction in the lake, or another cause of the phenomenon.
There are other mysterious dead lakes in the world.
Asphalt pool
Not far from Northern Venezuela (South America) in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean is the island of Trinidad. In one of the craters of the volcano of this island there is an unusual lake filled with real asphalt. The depth of the reservoir is 90 m, and the area is 46 ha.
150 thousand tons of asphalt are mined annually from the lake. It is used for local construction needs, and is also exported to the UK, USA and other countries. Over the entire life of the field, more than 5 million tons of asphalt were mined. At the same time, the level of "water" fell by only 0.5 mm. This is due to the fact that portions of the substance always come from the bowels of the volcano into this marvelous pond. Naturally, there is no flora or fauna either in the basin itself or in its environs.
What are still dead lakes, read on.
Source of sulfuric acid
The island of Sicily (Italy) is famous for many attractions, but to the Lake of Death to local residents and tourists the road is closed. This is a lifeless place. Here trees and grass do not grow, there is no living creature in the lake, birds do not fly to its shores. And all because there is a lethal concentration of sulfuric acid in the water, which gets here from underground sources.
Dead lakes have always been the subject of fabrications and legends. They say that in the sulfur source the Sicilian mafia hid the evidence of their crimes. This may be true, because if a corpse was thrown into the Lake of Death, then in a couple of hours even teeth would not be left from it.
Natron - Natural Mummification
The amazing dead lakes are described above. The most interesting thing on Earth is perhaps Natron. It is located in Tanzania, Africa. The waters of this reservoir are colored in purple, their chemical composition is simply unprecedented! A huge amount of hydrogen and high alkalinity lead to the fact that any living creature, who dared to approach the water, dies and mummifies. Mummies of swans, ducks are floating on the surface, the coast is dotted with petrified small animals … The plot for a horror film.
"Empty" is the correct name
This dead lake in Russia is actually empty. It is located in Western Siberia, and there is no life at all in it, although all the water bodies around it are simply teeming with fish. Scientists took samples of water, soil, measured the level of radiation. All indicators are normal, however, any attempts to populate the Empty with fish end in failure. Crucian carp, perch, pike - all die.
Plants along the banks and in the water also do not grow. Activists planted trees along the coast several times, but they all rotted. Scientists are not yet in a position to explain such a strange phenomenon, not even a single whiter, less plausible version has been put forward.
Cheybekkel - dead lake
Altai, a republic in the Ulagan region, is known for a small lake 3 km long, 70 to 500 m wide, and no more than 33 m deep. In the local dialect it is called "Cheybekkel", which means "elongated." There is no fish in it, the water surface does not attract birds, animals bypass it. According to legend, the place is inhabited by evil spirits. In fact, everything is much simpler and sadder. It’s just that in this area the Aktash mercury deposit has been developed for many years, which pollutes the waters of Cheybekkel.
Karachay
This body of water is located in the Urals. In the middle of the last century, everything was green here, the water was teeming with fish, dragonflies flew in the reeds. However, later liquid radioactive waste began to be dumped into the lake. Today, this absolutely lifeless place is considered the most polluted in the world. Just a few hours on shore is enough to irradiate hundreds of x-rays with radiation, which will entail inevitable death.
To improve the environmental situation, the state annually allocates hundreds of thousands of rubles, but it is extremely difficult to solve the problem.
The described dead lakes of the world attract tourists from all over the world. Many people want to see for themselves that such phenomena really exist, to approach secrecy, touch a riddle.
Living Water - Dead Water
Israel has the famous Dead Sea, which from a geographical point of view is also a lake. Fish is not found here, since the waters are saturated with salt, the concentration of which is constantly growing, however, primitive crustaceans and bacteria are found.
The Dead Sea is known for its amazing properties. Salts and therapeutic muds are widely used in the fight against many diseases of the skin, joints, genitourinary and cardiovascular systems, bronchopulmonary inflammation. For its miraculous power, the water of the lake is called "living."
Unique Sol-Iletsk
This salt lake in Russia is an analogue of the Dead Sea in Israel. It is located in the Orenburg region, and until recently, few have heard of it. However, scientists, having examined its water, came to the unequivocal conclusion that it has strong healing properties. Those who took baths here showed persistent improvement in their health status.
Doctors recommend coming here in the summer to restore strength after a protracted illness, restore the nervous system, and treat mental disorders. Mud Sol-Iletsk very well heals wounds, various skin lesions, including psoriasis, atypical dermatitis.
Salt Lake in Russia - an analogue of the Dead Sea - has a developed infrastructure. Its beaches are equipped for a comfortable and safe stay.
Other dead ponds with living water
Salt Elton is one of the largest mineral lakes in the world. Located in the Volgograd region.
Big Spring is the pearl of the Altai Territory. Its waters are extremely rich in salts. Complex chemical reactions taking place in the lake turn it into a real medical laboratory.
In Khakassia there is Lake Tus, whose mud is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. They relieve inflammatory processes, increase the body's defenses.
In the Astrakhan region is located the salt lake Baskunchak. Its waters are characterized by spasmolytic, analgesic and wound healing properties.
