Not all lakes are tempting to swim. There are those that outwardly seem harmless, but the water in them is very dangerous to humans.
Lake Monte Nemi
Lake Monte Nemi, also known as the "Lake of Death", is located in Italy, near Rome: many legends and dark stories are associated with it. In ancient Roman times, Lake Monte Nemi was used as a place for rituals and worship of the gods. Two Roman ships were found in the lake, which were supposedly used by Emperor Caligula for religious ceremonies. In the XX century, the lake became the object of numerous studies and archaeological excavations. The remains of ancient buildings and artifacts have been found, which has added a mystical aura to the place.
The water in the lake contains a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide and other toxic substances, so you cannot swim or drink from it. Hydrogen sulfide is released from the volcanic rocks surrounding the lake.
Rio Tinto River
The river got its name from the characteristic red color of the water. It is caused by the high content of iron and other metals that dissolve in an acidic environment. The water in the Rio Tinto has a very high level of acidity (pH around 2), making it one of the most acidic rivers in the world. This is due to the natural oxidation processes of sulphide minerals, which contain iron and other metals. The extreme conditions of the river are inhabited by unique microorganisms — extremophile, which have adapted to high acidity and dissolved elements.
Yangtze River
The Yangtze River, also known as the Changjiang River, is the longest river in Asia and the third longest river in the world, second only to the Nile and the Amazon. Its length is about 6300 kilometers.
Numerous factories and plants along the river dump industrial waste into the water: heavy metals, chemicals and other toxic substances. Along the Yangtze are important industrial centers such as Chongqing, Wuhan, and Shanghai, which also pollute the river. In addition, residents of buildings on the banks of the Yangtze dump waste from their homes there.
Amazon River
The deepest and longest river in the world is fraught with many dangers: fanged piranhas, huge caimans, giant anacondas, and many poisonous snakes live here. In addition, there are dangerous insects near the river, from the bite of which you can die.
The river itself is also unpredictable. Strong and sudden streams can pose a danger to boats and swimmers, especially during rainy periods. Also, the Amazon and its tributaries are prone to frequent flooding, which can lead to a rapid rise in water levels and the destruction of infrastructure.
Boiling Lake
Boiling Lake, located in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean, is one of the most unusual and dangerous natural phenomena. It is the second largest hot lake in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand.
In no case should you swim in it, even on the hottest (and coldest) day. The water temperature in the lake ranges from 82°C to 92°C at the edges and can warm up to 100°C in the center. Water is constantly bubbling and evaporating due to contact with hot magma gases.
In addition, it is dangerous to breathe near it: the high concentration of hydrogen sulfide and other poisonous gases makes the air around the lake toxic, so it is better to wear a mask and do not breathe deeply.
Ganges River
One of the most sacred rivers in India is also one of the most polluted in the world. Plants and factories located along the banks of the Ganges dump huge amounts of untreated industrial waste into the river: heavy metals, chemicals and toxic substances. Millions of people annually perform religious ceremonies on the banks of the Ganges, including ritual ablutions and cremation. Because of this, the water is incredibly polluted.
But many residents have no other sources of water than the Ganges River. Therefore, they drink it, cook food in it and bathe in it. Of course, this leads to many infectious diseases: cholera, dysentery, hepatitis and typhoid.
Onondaga Lake
Another incredibly dirty lake that is located in New York. At the beginning of the XX century, numerous chemical plants and industrial enterprises were built along the shores of the lake. These factories dumped a significant amount of toxic waste into the lake: mercury and other chemicals. Phosphates and nitrates from domestic wastewater also got there.
Due to the high level of pollution, swimming and fishing are strictly prohibited, which affects the local population and economy.
Citarum River
Citarum is about 300 kilometers long and is located on the island of Java in Indonesia. Along the banks of the river, there are many textile and other industrial plants that dump raw waste, heavy metals, chemicals, and dyes directly into the water.
Although the world community calls on foreign fashion brands that sew their products at Indonesian factories to install filters and provide comfortable working conditions for local residents, but, unfortunately, even after years, the situation in the region is not improving. People who are forced to drink water from the Citarum River have been suffering from many skin and other serious diseases since infancy.
It is better to admire the rivers and lakes from our list remotely, looking at pictures on the Internet.
