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Source-This post is based on the article “Shallow soda lakes show promise as cradles of life on Earth” published in “Physics.Org” on 22th January 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, researchers have found that a shallow ‘soda lake’ in western Canada bears resemblance to Darwin’s concept of “warm little ponds,”. It is believed to be a potential environment where life originated on early Earth.
What is a Soda lake?
| Aspect | Details |
| About & Characteristics | 1. It is a lake typically characterized by a pH level ranging between 9 and 11. 2. The alkalinity of the water is primarily due to the high concentration of carbonate, particularly sodium carbonate. 3. It may also have lots of sodium chloride and other salts, making it a salty or hypersaline lake. 4. These ecosystems are notably productive compared to freshwater lakes. 5. It represent some of the Earth’s most productive aquatic environments due to the abundance of dissolved carbon dioxide. 6. They naturally occur in both arid and semi-arid regions. |
| Biodiversity | 1. Biodiversity in soda lakes is primarily led by prokaryotes like bacteria and archaea, particularly in lakes with elevated alkalinity levels. 2. Multicellular organisms like brine shrimp and fish are abundant in many soda lakes. |
| Examples | 1. Africa and Asia host the largest number of soda lakes due to their extensive desert conditions, which favor the formation of such lakes. 2. The majority of soda lakes in Africa are situated in Eastern Africa, notably in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. 3. Lake Natron in Tanzania stands out as one of the most remarkable soda lakes in Africa. 4. In Asia, India and China boast the highest count of soda lakes. 5. Notable soda lakes in Asia include Lake Van, Tso Kar Salt Lake, Pangong Salt Lake, and Lake Zabuye. |
UPSC Syllabus- Geography and Places in News/ Environment
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