Classic holiday tours could be a nuisance to avid travelers. It is necessary to look at such a marvel - you can get unique shots and enjoy how the nature artist manages to transform her elements.
Many salt marshes are located in the Russian Federation, as well as in the territory of post-Soviet countries, while others are located in Turkey, Iran, Israel or Bolivia, as well as Antarctica. Interestingly, large salt lakes can only be found in the arid regions of the arid subtropical zone.
We present you the TOP 10 most saline lakes on the planet.
10. Elton
The lake is significant for many things: one of the largest European salt marshes, and the water is one of the most saline on Earth. There is a natural wonder in Russia on the border with Kazakhstan. Two centuries ago, salt was actively mined here, and now a balneological resort with sanatoria and various procedures (including mud) has been organized on the territory. The surface of the lake is golden with a beautiful pinkish tint, which appeared as a result of the activity of specific bacteria. Also, the salt marsh in shape approaches a circle, and is located in lowland between a number of salt peaks. This natural reservoir has no runoff. In summer, it often dries up (depth is not more than 100 mm). In cold periods, water arrives, and the depth reaches one and a half meters.
9. Urmia
The area of this huge salt marsh at a favorable time is 6 thousand square kilometers. The natural landscape has long been open to tourists. The lake was formed on the border areas between the provinces of Western and Eastern Azerbaijan. By the fall, the reservoir reaches 280% salinity, and also contains a significant mass of sulfates. In the middle of the salt marsh there are a little more than a hundred large and small islands, on which fragrant pistachio trees grow. It’s not so difficult for a tourist to get to the protected zone - the highway between two cities (Tabriz-Urmia) comes to the rescue. You can go here yourself or book excursions that are held regularly.
8. The Dead Sea
Few people have not heard about the lake-sea, which is located on the border of Jordan and Israel. By the concentration of salt, this water formation distills all others, so do not be surprised by its name - complex living organisms really do not live there. By area, the Dead Sea is not so great - a little more than eight hundred kilometers, and the diameter barely exceeded 65 km. In addition to salt accumulations, it is famous for valuable mud, which is mined for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. There are many resorts along the coast, and one of the most famous is the Massada memorial city with an amazing history. You can get to it by highway.
7. Kara-Bogaz-Gol
This lake also fell into our review, but its salinity is determined by the presence of amazing glauber's salt. The latter during evaporation leaves valuable deposits of mirabolite on the banks. The reservoir was due to the Caspian Sea, which feeds its channel. Amazing nature ordered in such a way that the Caspian can pour its light water into the salt marsh, but heavy salt water cannot penetrate back.
6. Wanda
And here is the leader of our review - a unique lake, which was discovered not somewhere, but in Antarctica attracting ice. It was established that the salinity of water in Wanda is 20 times stronger than the sea, that is, it is more saline than even the Dead Sea! The water surface of the salt marsh is covered with a layer of transparent ice (4 meters), but the lower layers have a plus temperature of about 23 ° C. Despite stratification, Wanda’s waters do not mix with each other and always maintain different degrees of salinity and temperature levels.
5. Bearish
Solonchak is located on the territory of Russia in the Kurgan region. The salinity of the water provides a huge area and shallow depth. The lake is fed exclusively by meltwater, so it is constantly in a state of evaporation. Despite the high salinity, some living organisms live in it, for example, bacteria, simple plants and even crustaceans.
4. Assal
A beautiful lake is located inside the crater of an extinct Djiboutian volcano, that is, has a volcanic origin. It is located 155 meters below sea level and is considered the lowest point on the African continent, so the waters of the vicinity of Djibouti flock here. Assal salinity reaches 350-400 grams per liter of water. Around the salt marsh there are valleys with saline soil, as well as several extinct volcanoes. Salt crystalline deposits form a breathtaking landscape on the waterfront. The depth of natural formation is about 20 meters, where the main salt concentrate settles.
3. Retba
The increased salinity of this lake is achieved due to regular infusions of sea water and stable enhanced evaporation. The salt marsh in Senegal is located, surprising the tourist with an unusually rich pink tint of water. The latter is achieved through the reproduction of a certain type of bacteria. On the territory of Retba, a unique pink salt is mined, which is valued in medicine and cosmetology. Surprisingly, it was in this salt marsh that the life of complex organisms (fish) became possible.
2. Don Juan
An amazing pond with a romantic name is considered one of the coldest salt lakes, as it is located in Antarctica with Wanda. It does not stand out in size (length up to 1000 meters, depth about 100). Don Giovanni is also gradually disappearing due to enhanced evaporation and replenishment exclusively with groundwater. Scientists have found that the salinity in this lake is 18 times higher than the average salt concentration in the ocean! Thanks to this indicator, saline water does not freeze even in the conditions of a severe Antarctic winter, when the temperature can reach a minus mark of 50 ° C. For researchers, the fact that the landscapes of water trails resemble those on the planet Mars was also curious and important, which may be evidence of the possibility of the existence of water on it.
1. Gaetel
Our review concludes with an African lake located in Ethiopia. The concentration of salt in water can reach more than 760 grams per liter. Active evaporation processes occur due to the hot climate, because the water temperature often tends to + 50ºС. By the way, Gaetel is a relatively young salt marsh, as it formed a little more than ten years ago after a strong earthquake. Since then, its waters have been filled with hot springs.
Here is such an amazing selection for people who are inspired by beautiful salt deposits on the shores of solonchaks. Also in the vicinity of such lakes you can collect healing mud, concentrating unique microelements and natural minerals. Yes, and rare natural salt in raw form can be taken as much as your heart desires, which is important for lovers of organic food and cosmetics.