20Mar

Blood Red Alkaline Lake in Kapedo, in Turkana County

Blood red alkaline lake in Kapedo photo by German Larkin

Turkana is among the driest and hottest region in Kenya, within it there is Lake Turkana and Blood Red Alkaline Lake.

There is no mystery about this lake, like Lake Retba, its all about science.

The lake has a high concentration of salt and its salinity increases while it is drying up as in during the driest period. The remaining water which is warm with high concentration of salt makes it a good breeding ground for dunaliela algae which turn the water into blood red.

During dry season, the salinity levels increases and salt loving micro-organisms begin to form. These organisms makes their food through photosynthesis by organisms such as halophile which include cyanobacteria.

Blood red alkaline lake in Kapedo photo by German Larkin