The most salty reservoirs in the world. Salt lakes of Russia

Salt lakes are found throughout Russia. They are predominantly drainless, which means that minerals and salts are not washed out. Over time, the proportions of substances can change under the influence of various factors. According to the degree of mineralization, the lakes are divided into brackish, salty and salty.

Salt lakes are formed in many ways, for example, some in the past were bays of the seas or salt quarries. Sometimes they dry up, leaving islands of sediments on the surface, but in a favorable season they are filled with water again. The depth is also rarely great, although there are exceptions.

The advantage of such lakes for tourists is therapeutic and cosmetic mud. In most cases, you can use the mud without a doctor's prescription, but it is better to consult a specialist. It is not surprising that sanatoriums and recreation centers have been built on the coast of many lakes.

Salt lakes are analogues of the Dead Sea in Russia!

The largest, most beautiful and popular for rest and treatment among tourists. List with titles and a brief description.

Baskunchak

Salt Lake Astrakhan region. Area - 106 km², maximum depth - 3 m. Territorially included in the Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky Reserve. There are deposits of healing clays and mud. Rapa is used for bathing. Salt deposits are visible to the naked eye. A sanatorium of the same name was built on the coast. Best time for a visit - summer. Two tourist routes have been laid around the lake.

Elton

Is in Volgograd region near the border with Kazakhstan. The area is 152 km². This is the biggest salt Lake in Russia. The depth varies significantly depending on the season, but does not exceed the limit of one and a half meters. The concentration of salts is so high that they precipitate. Mineralization is one of the highest in the world. Works on the shore balneological resort, using local mud, and in the village nearby - the sanatorium "Elton".

Koyashskoye

Lake south coast Kerch Peninsula. The area is a little more than 5 km², average depth- less than a metre. Koyashskoye is separated from the Black Sea by a narrow isthmus. Salt water has a pink color that changes its shades throughout the year. The phenomenon is explained by the presence of brine and aquatic vegetation. Salt deposits are clearly visible on the stones. It is part of the Opuksky Reserve. These places are most picturesque in May.

collapse

The lake originated in Orenburg region from the flooding of the salt quarry. A modest area of ​​6.8 hectares is complemented by an impressive maximum depth of 22 m. The water is considered curative, especially useful for people with skin problems. The salt concentration is comparable to the Dead Sea. This prevents the formation of an ice crust even in very coldy. In the past, Razval had the status of a natural monument.

Big Yarovoe

Located in the west Altai Territory. The area is up to 70 km², the maximum depth is up to 8 m. Since the food is snow, the dimensions change according to different times of the year. The salinity of the water decreases over the years. At the same time, the chemical composition is still comparable to the Dead Sea. Since 1972, a sanatorium has been operating near the coast, using silt mud and brine to medical procedures.

vats

Most big lake Western Siberia belongs to the territory Novosibirsk region. The area is up to 2269 km², the maximum depth is 10 m. Chany is a system of reaches, which are connected by shallow sections and channels. There are about 70 islands. In terms of tourism, it is popular as a place for fishing and hunting for waterfowl. There are recreation centers on the coast. In the north of the lake, the Kirzinsky reserve was created.

Sasyk-Sivash

Most large lake Crimea. Area - more than 73 km², maximum depth - 1.2 m. Separated from the sea by an isthmus. Salt is mined on this strip of land and sea ​​sand. The color of the water is pink, in some seasons it becomes even more saturated, turning into red. Seething on the surface - salt water emissions. Mud is used for medical procedures, and algae in cosmetology.

Big Yashaltinskoye

Located in the Republic of Kalmykia. The area is 40 km², the average depth is half a meter. The lake can be called shallow, which is explained by the structure of its almost flat bowl. Belongs to the Manych lake group. In the summer months, there are many vacationers, but mostly locals. Healing mud and well-heated water potentially give hope for the development of the tourism industry here.

Saki

One of the most popular lakes in Crimea. The area is 9.7 km², the average depth is a little more than half a meter. It is separated from the Black Sea by a strip of land. West Side- raw material base, eastern - recreational. Local black sludge is used to treat hormonal problems, skin infections and other diseases. 15 sanatoriums have been built in the district. The most famous are named after Budenko and named after Pirogov.

Dus-Khol (Svatikovo)

Located in the central part of Tyva. The translation of the name is "salt lake". The area is 55 hectares, the average depth is 2 m. The coast is actively used for recreation in the warm season. There are many visitors, so the infrastructure is gradually developing. A cafe was built in the form of a yurt with appropriate decoration. There are sanatoriums, camping, places for setting up tents. Rapa and mud are used for all kinds of procedures.

Salty (Zavialovskie lakes)

There are 330 lakes on an area of ​​220 thousand hectares in the Altai Territory. Salty, rich in mud deposits and mineral waters, stands out among them. Silt deposits have different colors and properties. The entrance to the water is not always convenient, as tourists dig holes near the shore to extract mud. There is a recreation center called "Salt Lake". There is parking, places for tents, small shops, rental houses.

Like-hol

Refers to the territory of Tyva. The translation of the name is “swampy lake”. The area is 2.2 km², the maximum depth is a little more than half a meter. Swimming here will not work - shallow water. But tourists come for mud therapy, they smear themselves with silt right on the shore of the reservoir. There is little vegetation around, salt marshes, salt deposits and small swamps. An attraction nearby is Dus-Khol Lake.

Kiran

It is located in Buryatia and has a more common name - "Salty". The area is 0.4 km², the maximum depth is a meter. Not only does the volume of water vary from month to month, heavy rainfall can significantly affect surface area. Exploration of the lake began in 1700. Now the most popular institution here is the Kiran mud bath. In 1980, the status of a natural monument was received.

Hadyn

Salt lake in Tyva. The name translates as "birch". The area is 2.3 thousand hectares, the average depth is 2 m. The river of the same name flows into it. The shores are dark with distinct white stripes - salt deposits. Because of mineral composition There is no fish here, and there are also few insects and birds. Mud and water can be used to treat and prevent diseases, but tourism is still underdeveloped.

ebates

The largest salt lake Omsk region. The area is up to 11 thousand hectares, the maximum depth is 2 m. The sizes are changeable, depending on precipitation and season. Despite high mineralization and large deposits therapeutic mud, there are no hospitals and recreation centers. Tourism is wild, there are not so many visitors. Constant collection of cysts of crustaceans is carried out. Since 1979, the reservoir has been declared a natural monument.

Salty

Is in Krasnodar Territory, near the village of Veselovka. Until the 1950s, salt was mined here. The mud lies at the bottom in layers, you can easily fall through to the ankle. Procedures should not be longer than 15 minutes. Tourists wash off the dried crust from themselves, usually into the sea, since the beach is within walking distance. Nearby are located mud volcanoes Hephaestus and Tizdar.

Kulunda

The largest lake in the Altai Territory. The area is 728 km², the maximum depth is 4 m. The coast is relatively smooth and even, with the exception of the eastern part. There are many islands, bays, broken lines. On the east side there are many comfortable sandy areas for recreation. Residual reservoir - formed after the shallowing of a large lake basin.

Bulukhta

Located in the Volgograd region. The translation of the name is “spring”, also called Bitter-Salty. The area is 77 km². The shores are indented, partially swampy, there is a layer of Glauber's salt. The muddy bottom is uneven, you can fall through. Of the islands, the largest was named Small. There are rare species in the area, for example, the Imperial Eagle. Attraction nearby: Lake Elton.

tambucan

It is part of two subjects of the Russian Federation at once: Stavropol Territory and Kabardino-Balkaria. Pyatigorsk is only 9 km away. The area is 170 hectares, the average depth is 2 m. The composition of the mud is comparable to the sediments of the Dead Sea. You can’t drink water, it will cause health problems, but swimming is allowed, only for a short time. There are no fish, as well as nesting birds. Tourists are repelled by the unpleasant smell emanating from Tambukan.

Raspberry

Located in the Altai Territory. The area is 11.4 km². A tourist base has been built on the coast. Since 2013, the reservoir has been included in the Big Tourist Golden ring Altai Territory" - popular a tourist route. Deposits of therapeutic mud attract those wishing to spend wellness procedures. Temperature fluctuations happen all the time, this must be taken into account when planning a trip.

bearish

Refers to Kurgan region. The area is 61.3 km², the maximum depth is 1.2 m. The increased salinity and mineralization of the water caused the lack of fish and aquatic vegetation. The lake is divided into Big and Small by six islands. A resort of the same name was built on the coast. Mud is used for treatment, as a prophylactic and to raise the general tone of the body.

Khanskoe

Salt Lake Krasnodar Territory. The area is 86 km², the maximum depth does not reach even a couple of meters. In the past, the reservoir was a bay Sea of ​​Azov. Periodically dries up, exposing salt crusts. Due to the healing properties of the mud, it is taken under protection. The sanatoriums of the city of Yeysk use local silt deposits in a wide range of procedures. Since 1988 it has the status of a natural monument.

Tus

Bitter-salty lake of Khakassia. The area is 2.6 km², the maximum depth is 2 m. The reservoir is gradually desalinated. Salt does not completely dissolve in water, which is why a sediment in the form of a crust forms at the bottom. work tourist bases, including Sunrise. The area is considered a resort of regional importance. Attraction nearby - object cultural heritage Tus Burial Ground.

bitter

It is located in the Novosibirsk region near the village of Novoklyuchi. The area is a little less than 7 km². north coast more suitable for recreation. Mud deposits have high performance in terms of mineral composition. They are black, oily with a distinct smell of hydrogen sulfide. It treats skin diseases, nervous system, respiratory organs and so on. There is a wellness complex of the same name.

Ulzhai

It is located in the southeast of the Omsk region. The area is 14.5 km², the maximum depth is 1.3 m. The northern coast is “multilayered”, the terraces hang over each other. On the other hand, the entrance to the water is more convenient. The thickness of the layer of local mud deposits exceeds half a meter. They are useful in the treatment of many diseases. They are used, among other things, in the Omsky Rehabilitation Center. In 1978, the status of a natural monument was received.

Tinaki

Salt lake a few kilometers from Astrakhan. The name was obtained because of the silt deposits, which are called mud in the district. The pink color of the water is due to the presence of magnesium salts. The area is small, the depth in summer is no more than a meter. A mud treatment resort was built on the shore, and a rehabilitation center of the same name also operates. People come here not only for treatment, but also for cosmetic procedures.

Botkul

It is located on the border between Russia and Kazakhstan. The area is up to 70 km². The reservoir is shallow, periodically dries up. Salt deposits and areas with mud deposits are clearly visible on the surface. There is a persistent smell of hydrogen sulfide in the district, and the territory is covered with salt marshes. There are prospects for the development of several areas of tourism, but so far the potential has not been practically realized.

Chokrakskoye

Crimean salt lake near the village of Kurortnoe. The translation of the name is "spring". The area is 8.5 km², the average depth is less than a meter. It is separated from the Sea of ​​Azov by an embankment. The water is pink in color, its saturation is variable. Deposits and a miniature crustacean gave such a shade. Muds are applicable in cosmetology and treatment. The composition of the water is close to that of the Dead Sea. The lake is part of a nature reserve.

bitter

Salt lake in the Yegoryevsky district of the Altai Territory. The area is a little less than 42 km², the average depth is 3.5 m. The banks are low with easy entry into the water, with the exception of north side where the swamp formed. The channel connects the reservoir with Lake Gorkoe-Peresheechnoe. For a hundred years, the Lebyazhye sanatorium has been operating on its banks, using local mud and mineral water for procedural treatment. The composition of the water is comparable to Essentuki 17.

Moinak

Crimean Lake, located in the west of Evpatoria. The area is 1.76 km², the maximum depth is less than a meter. The territory is considered a resort in every sense. On east coast comfortable beaches. Silty deposits and mud are used for cosmetology and treatment. Water contains useful minerals. There are several sanatoriums, the most popular is the Moynakskoe mud bath.

No one will undertake to say exactly which of the lakes is the saltiest in the world. Since this task is quite difficult. All lakes differ not only in the concentration of salts and minerals in their water, but also in their origin, occupied area, location, and depth. Moreover, some indicators may change over time or directly depend on the time of year. There are salt lakes on almost every continent (even in Antarctica), many of them are very popular (the Dead Sea), and the world learned about some not so long ago (Lake Don Juan was discovered only in 1961). Everyone can draw their own conclusions about which lake can be called the most salty after reading the information provided.

Even in official name this reservoir sounds the word sea, it does not mean that it is. "Sea" is called rather because of the size (810 m2), but since it does not have direct exit to the ocean (an exit is required by the sea!), then it follows that the Dead Sea is a lake. It is located between the countries of Israel and Jordan. Its location is unique, because the coast of the entire lake is located at the lowest altitude in relation to the world's oceans.

depth and total area lakes are rapidly decreasing with each subsequent year due to a number of reasons, including climate change and a decrease in groundwater levels (a consequence of industrial development). Now the depth is about 300 m, and the natural watercourse in the Dead Sea is disturbed.

The Jordan River and several streams that dry up from time to time replenish the water reserves of this salt lake. The general composition of the water in the Dead Sea differs depending on the remoteness of the site, on the confluence of the river and on temperature. So the concentration of salts varies from 28 to 33%.

This composition of water does not allow living organisms to settle in the lake. For a long time it was believed that there really is no life there (and therefore the Dead), but as it turned out later, some types of bacteria and fungi live in these waters.

The water, saturated with so many salts and minerals, is heavy enough to support even the human body, so even diving is impossible. Although such a desire, most likely, will not appear. But because she has medicinal properties(dirt from the lake too), here comes a large number of of people.

This is a unique reservoir, which is located in Bolivia. Its features are that during a drought it dries up and only a bottom of salt remains (its thickness is about 8 m), and with the arrival of rains, the salt is covered with a relatively thin layer of water and the lake resembles a huge mirror reflecting the sky. Being in such a place, there is a strange feeling when heaven and earth are not separated from each other. Local population from salt, which is mined from the bottom of the lake, I even make residential buildings.

The total area of ​​such amazing lake-mirror is 10,588 km2. And the total amount of salt is about 10 billion tons. Such figures and indicators are simply difficult to perceive and evaluate correctly.

The most salty lake in Russia

In the territory Russian Federation a fairly large number of salt lakes, but the most saline is located on the territory of the Volgograd region. Lake Elton is one of the natural resources of our country. Due to the fact that its waters and mud have healing properties, sanatoriums and health resorts were built on the banks. They are very popular among the population.

A feature of Lake Elton is its picturesqueness due to the interesting color of the water, it seems to shimmer from golden to pink. It is also worth recalling that the water level in the lake varies significantly with the seasons. In spring, the depth of the lake is about 1.5 meters, and in autumn, due to drying out, it decreases to 7 centimeters. The level of salt in the water of this lake is higher than in the Dead Sea.

Another salt lake Bulukhta is located between Lake Elton and the Volga River. It is located in a very swampy and inaccessible area, so the influx of tourists to it is not so big. Although those wishing to visit this place, of course, exist. The lake is shallow, the water contains salts and minerals.

Salt lakes of the Altai Territory

Lake Yarovoye is located in the Kulunda steppe of the Altai Territory. In its region, it is the deepest reservoir (7-8 meters) and the lowest point of the region.

Just like the rest of the salt lakes, it is not without attention from those who want to improve their health with the help of its waters and therapeutic mud. Also in this region there are such salt lakes as Raspberry (the name comes from the color of the water in early spring at dawn) and Kulundskoe.

Salt lake of Antarctica

It is impossible not to remember the coldest and at the same time salty lake Don Juan. This small reservoir (gradually decreasing) is located among the ice of Antarctica on the land of Victoria. It was discovered by accidentally flying helicopter pilots (they saw that the water did not freeze at a very low temperature).

It occupies a modest area and decreases very rapidly, since it is fed only by The groundwater. Now the depth does not exceed 10 cm, and the length is 300 m. The salt concentration in the water is more than 40%.

Another feature of the lake is that it does not freeze. The landscape around it is so unique that nothing like it exists on Earth.

P O CH E M U CH K A

There are several contenders for the title of the saltiest lake in the world. Let's take a closer look at these lakes, because each of them is unique in its own way.

1. Dead Sea

Perhaps the most famous contender. Although it is called the sea, in fact it is a lake, since it is endorheic, that is, it does not have access to the ocean.

The Dead Sea is located on the border between Israel and Jordan. It is quite small in size: 76 kilometers long and 18 kilometers wide. Its area is 810 km2, and its depth is about 370 m, and it is constantly decreasing. Only one flows into the Dead Sea major river- Jordan, as well as several small rivers and streams. For centuries, the Jordan has been bringing its waters here, which evaporate intensively - the temperature here rarely drops below 40 ° C - and the salts remain and accumulate. In addition to the waters of the Jordan River, the Dead Sea feeds a large number of mineral springs hitting on it south coast. As a result, the concentration of salts in the Dead Sea is, on average, 28%, and in some places reaches 33%. For comparison, the concentration of salts in the World Ocean is about 3-4%. The most fresh water ("only" 24%) is in the north of the Dead Sea - where the Jordan River flows into it. The further south, the saltier water In the lake. At the southernmost tip, even salt pillars are formed from the drying supersaturated salt solution. One of them resembles in its outlines a female figure in a cloak and is called "Lot's wife". This name is closely connected with the biblical legend, according to which God decided to punish the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, located in the Dead Sea region, because these cities were mired in debauchery. God warned the righteous Lot about this, ordering him to leave the city on the eve of its destruction, without stopping anywhere and without turning around. But the wife of the righteous, breaking the prohibition of the Lord, looked back, leaving, at her native walls, for which she was punished, turning into a pillar of salt).

Pillar of salt "Lot's wife"

The waters of the Dead Sea are actually dead, as its name says: there are no fish here, no algae grow; its shores are also lifeless. Even the surface of this lake does not resemble water - it is a thick, oily-looking liquid with a metallic sheen and yellowish-white flakes of salt in small places. However, it is not completely "dead": various salt-loving bacteria and even fungi live in its waters.

Dead Sea

Due to such a high concentration of salts, it is impossible to drown in the Dead Sea. It is also impossible to swim or dive - a person can only swing on the surface of the Dead Sea water, like a float. You can safely stretch out with a book on the surface of this unique lake- thick dense brine will not let you drown. However, it corrodes the skin, and the slightest scratch, when this brine gets on it, begins to hurt. Therefore, swimming in the Dead Sea is the lot of exotic lovers or those who do it according to the doctor's prescription - the healing properties of these waters, as well as the Dead Sea mud, rich in bromine, potassium, sodium and iodine, have been known since the time of the biblical King Herod. Dead Sea water is good for treating skin and other diseases.

You can't drown in the Dead Sea

Coast Dead Sea is the most low place on the land of our planet and lies 400 meters below the level of the oceans.

2. Lake Don Juan

On the glacial continent of Antarctica, in the Wright Valley on the land of Victoria, another lake has been discovered that claims to be the palm for its salinity.

Location of Lake Don Juan

It was named not at all in honor of the famous womanizer, as it might seem at first glance, but in honor of the people who discovered it in 1961 - these were helicopter pilots Don Ro and John Hickey. It is quite small. Back in 1998, it was no more than 100 m deep, its length and width were 1 and 0.4 km, respectively. At the moment, the depth of the reservoir does not exceed 10 cm, and its size is 300 meters long and 100 meters wide. Water evaporates very quickly, but the lake does not dry up completely, thanks to underwater waters. Actually, this lake is a place where groundwater (underground) water comes out.

Lake Don Juan - view from space

The reason for the incredible salinity of the lake, as scientists suggest, is the high salt content in sedimentary rocks through which melt water from springs passes, feeding the lake. The air in the valley is extremely dry, and in such conditions the water evaporates strongly.

Lake Don Juan

Another reason for the interest of scientists in the lake is the possible similarity of conditions in its vicinity with the surface of Mars. It is believed that there are many lakes on Mars similar to Don Juan.

3. Lake Elton

Lake Elton (the name probably comes from the Mongolian "Altyn-Nor" - a gold mine) is located in Russia, in the Volgograd region, not far from the border with Kazakhstan. This is the largest mineral lake in Europe (152 km2). The depth of this amazing lake is only 5-7 cm in summer and up to 1.5 m in spring.

Lake Elton

The mineralization of Elton waters reaches 200-500 g/l, which is one and a half times more than that of the Dead Sea. Until 1882, salt was mined here. In 1910, a sanatorium was built on the shores of Lake Elton. Since 2001, Lake Elton has been a part of natural park"Elton".

The shape of the lake is almost round. It is located in a depression between large salt domes and has no runoff. It is fed by 7 rivers, and at the bottom there are outlets of salty springs. The climate in the Elton region is arid, with frequent strong winds. The level of Lake Elton is 15 m below sea level.

View of Lake Elton from space

The waters of Lake Elton have a reddish hue, which is given to it by bacteria of the species Dunaliella salina.

4. Lake Baskunchak

Lake Baskunchak is located near Lake Elton - in the Akhtubinsky district of the Astrakhan region (Russia).

Lakes Elton and Baskunchak (Google Map)

Its salinity reaches 37% (370 g/l). This unique reservoir with an area of ​​100 km2 is a depression at the top salt mountain, leaving the base thousands of meters deep into the earth and covered by a layer of sedimentary rocks.

Lake Baskunchak

The lake is fed mainly by springs. Baskunchak's salts are unusually pure (99.8%), "like ice", sodium chloride NaCl - table salt. That is why it is here that 80% of all salt in the Russian Federation is mined, for which it was nicknamed the "All-Russian salt shaker". Salt mining began here in the 8th century. The depth of salt in the lake reaches 6 km, and numerous springs flowing into it daily replenish its supply by more than 2.5 thousand tons, so that the salt reserves here are practically inexhaustible.

In some places of Lake Baskunchak, special
wooden stumps - salt crystallization points.

Photo of Lake Baskunchak

Almost the entire surface of the lake is covered with salt, and you can walk on it.

The air near Lake Baskunchak with a high content of bromine and phytoncides, as well as its + silt mud, have a healing effect, which guests of the local sanatorium-preventorium "Baskunchak", located on the shore of the lake, can appreciate.

Swimming in Baskunchak lake

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

The seas and oceans are traditionally considered to be the most saline water bodies. And this is mostly true. Water covers 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.

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

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

Dead Sea

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

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

The shore stones of the lake sparkle with crystallized table salt in places 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 last years this reservoir was rapidly decreasing in size, to the point that there were rumors about its complete disappearance. Today, however, Israeli geologists claim that it will stabilize at current levels in the near future.

Lake Don Juan

Despite its celebrity status, the Dead Sea is not able to take away the laurels of the most salty 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 theme that it is the driest place on the planet - there is no precipitation, and strong winds prevent glaciers from forming on the inner side of the mountains surrounding the valley.

salt source

Scientists do not know the exact reason for such a high salt content in the water of the lake. Perhaps this is due to the fact that it is completely cut off from other water bodies and is not diluted fresh water coming from precipitation and due 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 a temperature below -53 degrees Celsius. All that remains is evaporation. The water evaporates, which leads to an even higher percentage of salinity.

While other salty waters of 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 reservoirs are far from the most saline places on the planet. Record accumulations of this mineral are found on land.

The Uyuni salt marsh 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 dried up 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 mirror surface, and flamingos fly here to lay their eggs, perched on large salt marshes.

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

Underground springs

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

However, the largest salt mine is in Canada. Its depth reaches 550 meters, and the 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 on a relatively great depth, covering huge area. This wealth is left over from a prehistoric sea that dried up about 420 million years ago.

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

Salt lakes are amazing a natural phenomenon. They are found on all continents, including Antarctica. In Russia and America there are entire zones where there are a lot of such lakes.

largest salt lake

Numerous tourists are interested in this lake, who come to Uyuni to see the incomparable landscapes of the salty desert. They are especially attracted by the diversity of the landscape of Lake Uyuni - this active volcanoes, huge salt deserts, geysers and cactus islands. Residents of nearby villages use the salt of this reservoir for food, make souvenirs from it and even build houses.

Salt lakes of Russia

In the same places there is Lake Bulukhta. This bitter-salty lake is the second in the region after Elton, but it does not have medicinal properties, and there are no therapeutic muds in it. Getting to the reservoir is not easy, it is located among the wild nature.

Lake Razval near Sol-Iletsk is another salt lake. The history of this lake is closely connected with the history of the Iletsk deposit. Today it famous resort. The concentration of salt in its water is very high, it is impossible to drown in such a reservoir. The lake was formed at the place where the salt production of the Tuztube mountain was carried out. Its depth is about eighteen meters. The salt concentration in Razval is ten times higher than in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Baskunchak is a salt lake located on the top of a salt mountain. This is the saltiest and one of the largest salt lakes in the world. It is located in the Astrakhan region. The wealth of the reservoir - brine and healing clay. This makes the lake interesting for those who want to improve their health.

There are not so many salt lakes in Russia, but others are striking in their size. You can read more about the largest lakes in Russia on the website.

Salt lakes of the Altai Territory

The main property of the lake is brine, which contains many mineral salts. It is impossible to dive headlong into this reservoir due to great content salt in water. His main healing factors– silt mud, water and air. Another large and deep salt lake is Kulunda. No less famous is Raspberry Lake. It owes its name to the fact that in the morning mist in spring its surface acquires exactly a crimson color. The rest of the year it is brown. The water of the reservoir is considered beneficial for the skin.

Salt lakes in America

There are many small salty drainless lakes on the southern plateaus of the Cordilleras. Their level directly depends on the precipitation. These lakes are all that remains of the Bonneville Salt Lake, which almost dried up seventeen thousand years ago.

The most salty lake in the world

There is a desert in Antarctica called the Dry Valleys. It was there that Lake Vida was discovered. It lies under miles of gravel and ice. According to scientists, the water in the lake did not freeze only because of the high content of salt in it. There is no exact data on the content of salt in the lake, presumably it is about 40 percent. It is possible that the reservoir is inhabited. This assumption appeared after frozen bacteria were found in the immediate vicinity of the reservoir.

Don Juan is another lake in Antarctica. It was found by accident in 1961 by helicopter pilots. It was named after them. The salt content in it reaches 40.2 percent, thanks to which it does not freeze even at an incredibly low temperature of 53 degrees. Over the past few decades, the reservoir has significantly decreased in size, and its depth has also decreased. Today, with an area of ​​0.03 sq. km, its depth is only 0.1 m.
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