Science This Alkaline African Lake Turns Animals Into Stone - Page 3

listopencil · 10-03-2013, 10:33 AM

In 2011, when he was traveling to shoot photos for a new book on the disappearing wildlife of East Africa, Across the Ravaged Land, photographer Nick Brandt came across a truly astounding place: A natural lake that seemingly turns all sorts of animals into stone.

“When I saw those creatures for the first time alongside the lake, I was completely blown away,” says Brandt. “The idea for me, instantly, was to take portraits of them as if they were alive.”

The ghastly Lake Natron, in northern Tanzania, is a salt lake—meaning that water flows in, but doesn’t flow out, so it can only escape by evaporation. Over time, as water evaporates, it leaves behind high concentrations of salt and other minerals, like at the Dead Sea and Utah’s Great Salt Lake.

Unlike those other lakes, though, Lake Natron is extremely alkaline, due to high amounts of the chemical natron (a mix of sodium carbonate and baking soda) in the water. The water’s pH has been measured as high as 10.5—nearly as high as ammonia. “It’s so high that it would strip the ink off my Kodak film boxes within a few seconds,” Brandt says.

As you might expect, few creatures live in the harsh waters, which can reach 140 degrees Fahreinheit—they’re home to just a single fish species (Alcolapia latilabris), some algae and a colony of flamingos that feeds on the algae and breeds on the shore.

Frequently, though, migrating birds crash into the lake’s surface. Brandt theorizes that the highly-reflective, chemical dense waters act like a glass door, fooling birds into thinking they’re flying through empty space (not long ago, a helicopter pilot tragically fell victim to the same illusion, and his crashed aircraft was rapidly corroded by the lake’s waters). During dry season, Brandt discovered, when the water recedes, the birds’ desiccated, chemically-preserved carcasses wash up along the coastline.

“It was amazing. I saw entire flocks of dead birds all washed ashore together, lemming-like,” he says. “You’d literally get, say, a hundred finches washed ashore in a 50-yard stretch.”

Over the course of about three weeks, Brandt worked with locals to collect some of the most finely-preserved specimens. “They thought I was absolutely insane—some crazy white guy, coming along offering money for people to basically go on a treasure hunt around the lake for dead birds,” he says. “When, one time, someone showed up with an entire, well-preserved fish eagle, it was extraordinary.”

Just coming into contact with the water was dangerous. “It’s so caustic, that even if you’ve got the tiniest cut, it’s very painful,” he says. “Nobody would ever swim in this—it’d be complete madness.”

For the series of photos, titled “The Calcified” and featured in this month’s issue of New Scientist, Brandt posed the carcasses in life-like positions. “But the bodies themselves are exactly the way the birds were found,” he insists. “All I did was position them on the branches, feeding them through their stiff talons.”

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/arts...ls-into-stone/

teedubya · 10-03-2013, 07:05 PM

Unbelievable imagery. Wow.

Frazod · 10-03-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

It would just make his neck even stronger.

**J Diddy** · 10-03-2013, 07:14 PM

A couple of tidbits that were omitted from this article:

It's my favorite little swimming hole./Medusa

There has been an enormous flocking to the lake by senior citizens who wish to avoid the high costs of viagra.

Bump swims in it non stop because he likes to get stoned.

**ptlyon** · 10-03-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I'd rather dump Manning in that lake.

I'm sure Elway has dispatched a team for recon that gets some and he gets a thimble full every other day

**Easy 6** · 10-03-2013, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

[IMG]

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/arts...ls-into-stone/

Keanu says WHOA... that's COOL, it'd make a killer album cover for someone.

Just Passin' By · 10-03-2013, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Keanu says WHOA... that's COOL, it'd make a killer album cover for someone.

Stone Temple Pigeons

Kaepernick · 10-04-2013, 01:11 AM

Very awesome and cool. I thought it was fake, but what did I know. That is sick though.

This takes me back to chemistry where we learned that acids were harmful but bases were even more harmful. Acids eat away at your skin, but bases penetrate your skin then burn from the inside out and there is no way to wash it off.

pH 10.5 is high but I didn't think it was that high. Bleach is 13.

It would be interesting to know the process occurring with this.

Wicked effects. There is a horror movie or scifi to be made from this idea.

allen_kcCard · 10-04-2013, 08:09 AM

Tim Burton has wood for this thread.

BigCatDaddy · 10-04-2013, 08:26 AM

That's one way to bronze a dick I guess.

Frazod · 10-04-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Keanu says WHOA... that's COOL, it'd make a killer album cover for someone.

If the Eagles are still together in 10 years, it would be perfect for them.

10-03-2013, 10:33 AM
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $1965880	This Alkaline African Lake Turns Animals Into Stone In 2011, when he was traveling to shoot photos for a new book on the disappearing wildlife of East Africa, Across the Ravaged Land, photographer Nick Brandt came across a truly astounding place: A natural lake that seemingly turns all sorts of animals into stone. “When I saw those creatures for the first time alongside the lake, I was completely blown away,” says Brandt. “The idea for me, instantly, was to take portraits of them as if they were alive.” The ghastly Lake Natron, in northern Tanzania, is a salt lake—meaning that water flows in, but doesn’t flow out, so it can only escape by evaporation. Over time, as water evaporates, it leaves behind high concentrations of salt and other minerals, like at the Dead Sea and Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Unlike those other lakes, though, Lake Natron is extremely alkaline, due to high amounts of the chemical natron (a mix of sodium carbonate and baking soda) in the water. The water’s pH has been measured as high as 10.5—nearly as high as ammonia. “It’s so high that it would strip the ink off my Kodak film boxes within a few seconds,” Brandt says. As you might expect, few creatures live in the harsh waters, which can reach 140 degrees Fahreinheit—they’re home to just a single fish species (Alcolapia latilabris), some algae and a colony of flamingos that feeds on the algae and breeds on the shore. Frequently, though, migrating birds crash into the lake’s surface. Brandt theorizes that the highly-reflective, chemical dense waters act like a glass door, fooling birds into thinking they’re flying through empty space (not long ago, a helicopter pilot tragically fell victim to the same illusion, and his crashed aircraft was rapidly corroded by the lake’s waters). During dry season, Brandt discovered, when the water recedes, the birds’ desiccated, chemically-preserved carcasses wash up along the coastline. “It was amazing. I saw entire flocks of dead birds all washed ashore together, lemming-like,” he says. “You’d literally get, say, a hundred finches washed ashore in a 50-yard stretch.” Over the course of about three weeks, Brandt worked with locals to collect some of the most finely-preserved specimens. “They thought I was absolutely insane—some crazy white guy, coming along offering money for people to basically go on a treasure hunt around the lake for dead birds,” he says. “When, one time, someone showed up with an entire, well-preserved fish eagle, it was extraordinary.” Just coming into contact with the water was dangerous. “It’s so caustic, that even if you’ve got the tiniest cut, it’s very painful,” he says. “Nobody would ever swim in this—it’d be complete madness.” For the series of photos, titled “The Calcified” and featured in this month’s issue of New Scientist, Brandt posed the carcasses in life-like positions. “But the bodies themselves are exactly the way the birds were found,” he insists. “All I did was position them on the branches, feeding them through their stiff talons.” http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/arts...ls-into-stone/
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10-03-2013, 07:05 PM	#31
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9470002	Unbelievable imagery. Wow.
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10-03-2013, 07:14 PM	#33
J Diddy Don't Be A Dick Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Joplin Casino cash: $6757192	A couple of tidbits that were omitted from this article: It's my favorite little swimming hole./Medusa There has been an enormous flocking to the lake by senior citizens who wish to avoid the high costs of viagra. Bump swims in it non stop because he likes to get stoned.
Posts: 33,653

10-04-2013, 08:09 AM	#38
allen_kcCard Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $4353183	Tim Burton has wood for this thread.
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10-04-2013, 08:26 AM	#39
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $1759122	That's one way to bronze a dick I guess.
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