Salt of the Earth: Dead Sea and Other Amazing Lakes. Reservoirs with the saltiest water on Earth: in comparison with them, the water in the Dead Sea will seem like tap water (9 photos) Healing lakes of the Orenburg region

The Dead Sea is famous for its unusually high salt content, although in fact this body of water ranks only the fourth among the saltiest seas and lakes in the world.

The seas and oceans are traditionally considered to be the saltiest bodies of water. And this is mostly true. Water occupies more than two-thirds of our planet's surface, and 96% of it is in the oceans. Ocean waters contain thousands of billions of tons of dissolved salt.

Salinity varies at different points in the oceans. Around the poles, the constant presence of snow and ice reduces the level of salt, while closer to the equator more water evaporates from the surface of the seas, which means a higher salt content in the water.

But there are bodies of water on our planet, where there is much more salt than in the seas and oceans.

The Dead Sea

The most famous such reservoir is the Dead Sea, located on the border of Jordan and Israel. The water here is 10 times saltier than the average sea water. However, the Dead Sea is far from the saltiest sea. It occupies only the fifth place among the saltiest bodies of water on Earth.

Besides, the Dead Sea is not a sea at all. Although the term "sea" is used loosely, it essentially refers to a large body of salt water that is partially surrounded by land. The Dead Sea is completely landlocked and has no outlet to the ocean or the open sea. It is actually a lake, but large and salty, which causes confusion.

The lakeside stones sparkle with crystallized table salt where the sun makes the water evaporate quickly. In addition, the Dead Sea is the deepest hypersaline body of water in the world. Its depth reaches 330 meters.

In recent years, this reservoir has been rapidly decreasing in size, to the point that rumors of its complete disappearance have appeared. However, Israeli geologists today claim that it will stabilize at its current level in the near future.

Lake Don Juan

Despite its celebrity status, the Dead Sea is unable to take away the laurels of the saltiest body of water from a tiny lake called Don Juan. This crumb does not exceed 300 meters in length and 100 meters in width, and its depth is 10 centimeters. However, the percentage of salt in the lake is 44%, which is 10% more than in the Dead Sea and 40% more than in the ocean.

The lake is located in Antarctica, in the dry McMurdo Valley, famous for being the driest place on the planet - there is no rainfall, and strong winds prevent glaciers from forming on the inner side of the mountains that surround the valley.

Salt source

Scientists do not know the exact reason for such a high salt content in the lake water. Perhaps this is due to the fact that it is completely cut off from other bodies of water and is not diluted with fresh water coming from precipitation and thanks to the melting of glaciers. All the salt contained in the waters of Don Juan cannot leave them in any way. She can only freeze or evaporate.

With such a high percentage of salinity, the lake almost never freezes - this requires temperatures below -53 degrees Celsius. All that remains is evaporation. The water evaporates, resulting in an even higher percentage of salinity.

While other salt lakes in Antarctica get fresh water from snow and ice, Don Juan always remains undiluted. Scientists are still trying to find a source of salt in the waters of the lake.

Salt on land

It is noteworthy that water bodies are far from the saltiest places on the planet. Record accumulations of this mineral are found on land.

The Uyuni salt flat is the largest in the world, its area exceeds ten thousand square kilometers. It is located in Bolivia and is actually the bottom of a dry prehistoric salt lake.

The basin of this lake is unusually flat; geologists have noticed a difference in height of only one meter. Today, this huge flat valley is covered in sparkling salt crystals.

During the rainy season, tourists flock to Uyuni to see the world's largest mirrored surface, while flamingos come here to lay their eggs on large salt marshes.

For several centuries, salt has been mined in the vastness of Uyuni, but there is still so much of it that it will last for a long time.

Underground springs

Despite the fact that the largest salt deposit is located in Bolivia, Australia and China are the largest exporters of this mineral. The most productive salt mines are located there.

However, the largest salt mine is located in Canada. Its depth reaches 550 meters, and its area is seven square kilometers. Seven million tons of salt are extracted from the mine annually. This place is located near the Great Lakes, and geologists suggest that the salt deposits there are very rich and lie at a relatively great depth, covering a huge area. This wealth remains from a prehistoric sea that dried up about 420 million years ago.

The fact that it is difficult for scientists to name the single saltiest place on Earth tells us that much of the history and depths of our amazing planet has not been studied and is kept secret. It is quite possible that there is another body of water in the wilds of Siberian forests, which will turn out to be saltier than Lake Don Juan.

It has been scientifically proven that rest in the local climatic zone is much more useful than traveling to distant countries. This is especially true for people with health problems, the elderly, families with small children, pregnant women. Salt lakes of the Orenburg region are one of the well-known and well-proven places for recreation. Reviews about the resort are positive: tourists note the healing effect of the reservoirs located here. We will talk about them today.

Healing lakes of the Orenburg region

Traveling through the vastness of our homeland, getting to know it and getting aesthetic pleasure from contact with nature, you can find yourself on the shore of a salt lake. There are a large number of them in Russia, and they all have unique medicinal properties. They are also called mineral lakes for their high content of trace elements and antiseptic properties, and the mud of such a reservoir has a natural healing effect. To benefit from the UV rays reflecting off and become the owner of a naturally beautiful tan, it is imperative to visit it! The main "people's hospital", which Orenburg is proud of, is a salt lake. Reviews of numerous tourists prove that here you can not only relax, but also heal.

From time immemorial

Water mud therapy came to us from ancient times. Even then, healing mud and mineral water were used to get rid of diseases and heal wounds. We treated skin, gynecological and many other ailments. Such a formidable disease as psoriasis can be cured by bathing in such a body of water. Banal, but boring boils, acne and other skin defects disappear almost without a trace after taking such salt baths. Tourists appreciate the opportunity to improve their health and get a real "kiss of the sun". It is not without reason that it is believed that the main attraction of which Orenburg is proud are salt lakes. The treatment is combined with a pleasant pastime, which makes the waters especially alluring.

Where do salt lakes come from?

According to scientists, such reservoirs appear in arid places, in the crater of which there is no runoff. The water that the rivers bring there only flows into them, but does not flow out. When the liquid evaporates from the reservoir, the salt remains at its bottom. This is how salt lakes are formed.

You can find such a lake anywhere in the country. It is rich in medicinal reservoirs and Salt Lakes have miraculous powers, and everyone knows the benefits of swimming in them.

A unique geological object is Lake Razval in the Sol-Iletsk region, located at the mining site.It is the deepest among its brethren and quite large, because its area is 10 hectares. Its origin is interesting. The lake appeared in 1906, when a salt pit was flooded by a spring flood. In the central part of the Iletsk salt dome, a body of water 240 meters wide, 300 meters long and 20.5 meters deep was formed. This is an analogue of the Dead Sea, as it is 305 g / l. That is why one of the main attractions that the Orenburg region is proud of are salt lakes.

The Iletsk salt dome was formed in the second half of the 18th century. This is the result of rock salt mining and karst processes in its thickness. Then the quarry joined the Peschanka river. At the same time, a salt lake called Razval was formed. The water in it has a high salt concentration - 260 g / l. Therefore, brine does not freeze even at -20 in water and -40 degrees in air. This lake is also unique in that there is permafrost at its bottom. The high density of water allows a person to lie on the surface without moving.

The city of Orenburg is located just 70 km from the Iletsk rock salt deposit. Salt lake Razval has regional significance and is included in the main list of protected objects.

Benefit for health

The ancient doctors Hippocrates and Avicenna spoke about the benefits of bathing in salt water. Despite the fact that the latter was a native of Central Asia, on the territory of which there are no such lakes, the doctor appreciated the properties of salt water. A large number of tourists who want to get medical treatment are met by the city of Orenburg. Salt lake Razval is distinguished by its healing effect, which it has on all organs and systems of the human body. Due to the high content of bromine, chlorine and other microelements salts in water, it helps in the treatment of rheumatism, osteochondrosis, bronchial asthma and many other diseases.

It must be remembered that swimming in salt lakes should be moderate. And you need to alternate it with sunbathing. Regular bathing is recommended for 7-10 days.

Lake Tuzluchnoye

Medicinal products are of ancient origin. Even nomadic tribes made halts on their shores, using mineral waters and medicinal mud to heal the whole body. Such reservoirs include the Tuzluchnoye salt lake, recognized as the oldest surviving reservoir of the Sol-Iletsk salt dome. Its area is 24 thousand square meters. m, the depth reaches 4 meters. The Orenburg region is proud of it. The salt lakes of this region are widely studied in the laboratories of the testing center. It was found there that in terms of their physical and chemical characteristics, silt deposits belong to highly mineralized curative mud. They have high thermal properties. It is also very flexible. Contains a large amount of water-soluble salts, as well as iron, bromine and boric acid.

The healing mud of Lake Tuzluchnoye is black or dark gray. It relieves spasms, as it has a relaxing effect. It has a regenerating, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effect and enhances the viability of cells throughout the body. The positive properties of mud are due to the fact that it contains a large amount of biologically active substances that are capable of influencing energy processes and suppressing the development of pathogenic organisms.

Dunino reservoir

Salt lakes are rich in medicinal reservoirs, which are represented by another medicinal object. This is the Dunino reservoir, which is called bromine due to the bromine content in it. It was formed in 1896 and is located just 50 meters from Lake Razval.

Lake Dunino stretches along from west to east for 88 thousand square meters. m, its depth is 4 meters. A distinctive feature of the reservoir is its reddish color. Artemia crustacean gives it a beautiful shade. There is a large amount of it in the reservoir, and in the summer it actively reproduces.

The healing mud of Lake Dunino, green or brown, is at the bottom. Its temperature in summer rises to +50 degrees, which improves its healing properties. During the summer period, crustaceans multiply 3-4 times, organic substances are synthesized in them, which, when they die off, form curative mud. If you scoop up water from the lake, then you can see small living creatures of a reddish color. These are the same crustaceans, thanks to which the mud from the bottom of the lake becomes medicinal. Tsvetnoy and other reservoirs attract thousands of tourists to the Orenburg region. Salt lakes will not only help to improve the health of vacationers, but also contribute to mental relaxation.

Resort infrastructure

The city is built in such a way that everything necessary for a tourist is in the immediate vicinity. The station is located within a five-minute walk from the busy quarters, where you can easily solve the issue of accommodation. Owners of private houses and apartments offer their services. Those who come to the resort town by private transport will not have a question about how to get to the salt lake. A continuous stream of cars will show you the exact route to the desired location. In all travel agencies in the country, you can easily purchase a ticket to the domestic analogue of the Dead Sea.

Tourists note

Like any resort town, Sol-Iletsk offers its guests a rich cultural program. At every corner tourists are beckoned with the enticing smell of barbecue, cafes of Russian and Eastern cuisine, which, in addition to a wide selection of dishes, offer home-made wines. In the evening, numerous bars offer everyone a great rest and a good time for the soul. For lovers of a quiet pastime there are numerous parks, squares, a museum of local lore.

Now you know that the main pearl of which the Orenburg region is proud is the salt lake. the city will gladly accept all comers, saving them from unnecessary hassle with finding accommodation and organizing meals. Experienced doctors will select an individual recovery course, provide all the necessary medical and consulting assistance.

On native land

There is an opinion that the recreation industry in Russia is practically undeveloped, and in order to spend a vacation in comfort, you need to go to other countries. We are able to improve the situation on our own: when we come to domestic resorts, we invest our money in the development of local tourism. Relax in Russia, and a high level of service will not keep you waiting long!

Salt lakes on our planet are not uncommon, although many think that there are much more freshwater lakes. These bodies of water may look like small seas or very modest ponds, but size is not the main thing here. Each has a unique ecosystem, and each has its own mystery. You can admire them, you can get the necessary substances from them, they will help improve your health and tell you about the past of the Earth. So, we present the TOP-9 amazing salt lakes.

Where do they come from? Typically, the concentration of salt in closed bodies of water increases gradually as the water evaporates. In this case, both rocks and groundwater can be a source of salts, but the main factor is a decrease in volume. This process can take millennia, but human intervention speeds it up significantly. An example is the Aral Sea. If water is actively used by people for various needs, and its inflow decreases, then an ordinary lake can dry out and become salty in several decades. The water in it is no longer suitable for drinking or irrigating fields. Salinization of lakes is one of the pressing problems associated with the global scarcity of water resources.

Underwater salt lakes at the bottom of the ocean (there are some!) Arose differently. Millions of years ago, the seas dried up, and a very thick layer of salts formed in their place. And then the water returned, and at the greatest depths a “brine” appeared, which, due to its high density, did not mix with the waters of the returning ocean.

Salt lakes also form in the craters of volcanoes.

The salinity of lakes is measured in ppm: this value reflects how many grams of salt are contained in one liter of water. For example, for the Red Sea this figure is about 40, for the Gulf of Finland - 2, and for the Dead Sea - about 300.

What is all the salt? People have used mineral lakes since ancient times. First, the habit of salting food made us look for new sources of the main seasoning. Secondly, bathing in salt water turned out to be beneficial for health, and deposits of healing clay on the shores of lakes are an excellent cosmetic product. In addition, various substances necessary for medicine and industry can be extracted from salt water. Of great interest from the point of view of biotechnology are unique extreme bacteria that live peacefully even in very salty water. They can be used to extract metals from ore, or to treat waste water.

1. Urmia (Iran). This lake was once the largest in the Middle East. However, in recent years, it has become less and less - images taken from space allow you to observe this. Unreasonable consumption of water from rivers for irrigation has led to the fact that over 40 years the reservoir has decreased by 70%. The water in it usually has a pinkish tint - due to the multiplied Dunaliella algae. After winter and spring rains, Urmia turns blue again. At the same time, the salinity of the water drops from 260 to 150-80 ppm. There are more than a hundred islands in the lake, some of which are covered with pistachio forests. Pelicans and flamingos nest here. If the Iranian government does not implement the program to save Urmia, the lake will dry up completely and 10 billion tons of salt will remain in its place, scientists warn.

2. Dead Sea (Israel, Palestine, Jordan). One of the most famous salt lakes in the world. Its length is 50 km, maximum width is 18 km. The main feature of this reservoir is that it is located at the lowest point on land on the planet - more than 400 meters below sea level. The main source of water in the lake is the Jordan River.

This is one of the first health resorts in the history of mankind. Also, since ancient times, potassium carbonate (potash) has been mined here to fertilize the soil. The Dead Sea was called the Asphalt Sea, and this is no coincidence: at the depths, natural asphalt forms, which the ancient Egyptians used to mummify the bodies of the deceased.

Environmentalists are concerned that the water level in the Dead Sea is dropping by an average of 1 meter per year. This is due to the active use of groundwater, extraction of minerals by evaporation and climatic changes.

3. Lonar (India). It is located in a crater that appeared in the basalt rock after a meteorite fell - this is the only such crater on Earth. The name "Lonar" is translated simply - "salt lake".

The lake is both salty and alkaline. The salinity of the water in it is 10.7 g / l. The diameter of the lake is 1 km, and the depth is more than 130 m. The water is muddy green and has a rotten smell, so it is not very pleasant to be on the shore.

Commercial salt mining has been carried out on the lake since 1842. There were five or six types of salt from Lonard on sale, varying in composition and color. Now it is consumed only by local residents. A rare mineral, geylussite, was discovered in Lake Lonar - these transparent crystals resemble crystal.

4. Baskunchak (Russia). Located in the Astrakhan region. The area of ​​the lake is approximately 106 sq. km, salinity - about 300 g / l.

Basically, the lake is fed by underground sources. Salt has been mined here since the 8th century. Especially for its export, the Baskunchak railway was built from the lake to the Vladimirovskaya pier on the Volga. Nowadays, from 1.5 to 5 million tons of NaCl are obtained from the lake annually.

Above the surface of the lake, you can see the mysterious pillars covered with a salt crust. They remain from the footbridge, which even before the revolution of 1917 walked the workers collecting salt. The sanatorium "Baskunchak", which is located on the shore, is very popular with tourists. Saline solution and mud baths help to heal many diseases.

5. Great Salt Lake (USA). Located in Utah and is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere. The salinity of the lake also varies depending on the water level, ranging from 137 to 300 ppm.

The large salt lake is also known for regularly causing heavy snowfalls. There are no miracles here. It's just that in winter, the water in the lake is much warmer than the air above it, which leads to the formation of clouds and precipitation. Oolitic sand can be seen on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. It consists of round or spherical mineral formations that resemble very small pearls.

The lake is divided into two parts by a dam, along which trains run. The southern and northern parts have different salinity and, as a result, different colors due to the spread of different types of algae. In 1970, the installation Spiral Dam, created by the American artist Robert Smithson, appeared on the shore of the lake. The object is visible only when the water level in the lake drops to 1280 m above sea level.

There are many legends about the lake. For example, they say that in 1875 two whales were released into the reservoir to attract more tourists. Since then, no one has ever seen a whale. Another story is related to the local Nessie - the North Coast Monster, who once allegedly attacked the workers.

6. Don Juan (Antarctica). This small reservoir owes its name not to the famous hero-lover, but to two helicopter pilots. Their names were Don Ro and John Hickey, and in 1961 they flew over the lake and noticed that the water in it did not freeze, despite the 30-degree frost. Later it turned out that the salinity of the lake is so high that it is not covered with ice even at minus 53 degrees! The salt content in Don Juan is over 400 grams per liter. Melting glaciers are the source of water in the lake. The surface area of ​​the reservoir is only 0.3 km2. No signs of life were found in the lake. Experts point out that conditions in the area are reminiscent of those on Mars.

7. Assal (Djibouti, East Africa). One of the saltiest lakes on the planet (up to 400 grams per liter) is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. This is the lowest point in Africa. The length of the reservoir is 19 km, width is 6.5 km. During the day, the water in the lake changes its color in a bizarre way, up to fluorescent colors. Salt is mined on an industrial scale, at the same time, nomads evaporate it the old way on the shores of the lake and send it to Ethiopia on camels.

8. Sokompa (Argentina, Chile). The lake is located on the border of two states, in the Argentine Andes, at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level. There was a time when this body of water was considered exclusively as a source of lithium, without which it is impossible, for example, the production of batteries. This metal was obtained by evaporation of brine in the sun. However, Sokompa and other salt lakes in the Andes are now becoming protected natural sites. The reason is that scientists have found stromatolites in the water - "layered" structures formed by minerals and cyanobacteria. These are the most ancient ecosystems on Earth. Some of the finds are billions of years old and could help scientists learn more about the origins of life on our planet.

9. Underwater salt lakes (Gulf of Mexico). The saltier the water, the higher its density - therefore, the numerous lakes at the bottom of the bay have quite clear boundaries. The water in the salt pools is 4-5 times saltier than the ocean water. If a submarine descends to such a body of water, it begins to slide along its surface. The underwater lakes range in length from 1 m to 20 km. As a rule, they have a high concentration of methane, and only extremophiles can live in them - living creatures adapted to harsh conditions. For example, bacteria and mussels, tubular worms and shrimp. Scientists believe that such creatures could easily survive on other planets.