salt lakes

Salt lakes are bodies of water with high concentrations of dissolved salts, primarily sodium chloride. They form in arid or semi-arid regions where evaporation exceeds inflow from rivers or rain, causing salts to accumulate over time. Unlike regular lakes, they often appear salty or even pink due to specialized microorganisms. These lakes are important ecological sites and sometimes valuable mineral sources. Their high salinity prevents most aquatic life, leading to unique ecosystems dominated by salt-tolerant species. Examples include the Dead Sea and the Great Salt Lake.