Highest levels of alkalinity in lakes

The Magadi-Natron basin in the Rift Valley of Kenya-Tanzania contains saline (salt) bodies of water with temperatures as high as 50°C (120°F) and alkalinity as high as pH 10-12 - strong enough to blister or burn the skin. The corrosiveness of these lakes - particularly Natron, Magadi and Nakuru - is caused by high concentrations of sodium carbonate (soda) sulphur, chlorine and phospohorus produced by the active volcanoes in the Rift System. Lake Natron's characteristic deep red colouration is the result of pigments produced by algae thriving in the hypersaline environment. The pigments also account for the pink colouration of the lesser flamingoes (Phoenicopterus minor) who feed off the algae.