Lonar Lake: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Lake in Maharashtra, India}}

| name = Lonar Lake

| native_name =

| image = Lonar Crater Lake.jpg

| caption = View of Lonar crater (Buldhana district, Maharashtra) from the rim

| alt = View of Lonar crater from the rim

| image_bathymetry =

| location = [[Lonar]], [[Buldhana district]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]

| coords = {{Coord|19|58|30|N|76|30|27|E|region:IN-MH_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}

| type = [[impact crater]] lake, [[salt lake]]

| inflow =

| outflow =

| catchment =

| basin_countries = [[{{flag|India]]}}

| length = {{convert|1,830|m|abbr=on}}

| width =

| area = {{convert|1.13|km2|abbr=on}}

| depth = {{convert|137|m|abbr=on}}

| max-depth = {{convert|150|m|abbr=on}}

| pushpin_mappushpin_map_alt = Location of Lonar lake within =Maharashtra, India Maharashtra

| pushpin_map_caption embedded = Location in Maharashtra,{{Designation Indialist

| designation1_number = 2441<ref name="RSIS">{{Cite web |title= Lonar Lake |website= rsis.ramsar.org |publisher= [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service |url= https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2441 |access-date= 14 November 2020 }}</ref>}}

Lonar Lake lies within the only known extraterrestrial impact crater found within the great [[Deccan Traps]], a huge [[basaltic]] formation in India.<ref>{{cite namejournal |last1="PittarelloOthers2010a">Pittarello, L.,Crósta A.|first1= Alvaro P. Crosta, C.|last2= Kazzuo-Vieira, C.|first2= César |last3= Pittarello |first3= Lidia |last4= Koeberl, and|first4= T.Christian |last5= Kenkmann (2010)|first5= Thomas |date= January 2012 |title= ''Geology and impact features of Vargeao Dome, southern Brazil.'' |journal= Meteoritics & Planetary Science. vol.|volume= 47, no.|issue= 1, pp.|pages= 51–71 |doi= 10.1111/j.1945-5100.2011.01312.x |bibcode= 2012M&PS...47...51C }}</ref> The lake was initially believed to be of [[volcano|volcanic]] origin, but now it is recognized as an impact crater. Lonar Lake was created by the impact of either a [[comet]] or of an [[asteroid]]. The presence of [[plagioclase]] that has been either converted into [[maskelynite]] or contains [[planar deformation features]] has confirmed the impact origin of this crater. It is believed that only [[shock metamorphism]] caused by a hypervelocity impact can transform plagioclase into maskelynite, or create planar deformation features. The presence of impact deformation of basalt layers comprising the rim, of shocked [[breccia]] inside the crater, of [[shatter cone]]s, and of the non-volcanic [[ejecta blanket]] surrounding the crater all support the impact origin of Lonar Lake.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

The crater has an oval shape. The meteorite impact came from the east, at an angle of 35 to 40 degrees.<ref name=wondermondo>{{cite web |title= Lonar crater |website= wondermondo.com |date= 7 October 2016 |url= http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/India/Maharashtra/LonarCrater.htm|title=Lonar crater|date=7 October 2016|publisher=Wondermondo}}</ref>

There are various estimates of the age of the crater. Earlier thermoluminescence analyses gave a result of 52,000 years, while recent [[argon-argon dating]] suggests that the crater is much older; it could be 570 000 ± 47 000 years old. This greater age is in line with the degree of erosion of the crater rim.<ref name=Eroglu>{{cite journal |author1last1=F. Jourdan |author2first1= F. |last2= Moynier |author3first2=C F. |last3= Koeberl |author4first3=S C. |last4= Eroglu. |first4= titleSümeyya |date= July 2011 |title= 40Ar/39Ar age of the Lonar crater and consequence for the geochronology of planetary impacts. | journal = Geology | volume = 39 | issue = 7 | pages = 671–674 | date = July 2011 | doi= 10.1130/g31888.1 |bibcode= 2011Geo....39..671J }}</ref><ref name=wondermondo/>

As a result of the studies, the geological features of the Lonar crater have been divided into five distinguishable zones, exhibiting distinct geomorphic characteristics.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Lonar crater saline lake, an ecological wonder in India |publisher= International Society for Salt Lake Research |date= 2001 |url= http://www.isslr.org/news/newsone.asp?qnewsid=188 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141006075356/http://www.isslr.org/news/newsone.asp?qnewsid=188|url-status=dead|title=Lonar crater saline lake, an ecological wonder in India |publisher=International Society for Salt Lake Research, 2001|archive-date= 6 October 2014 }}</ref>

The five zones are:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2007/pdf/2316.pdf |title= Lonar Crater, India: An Analog for Martian Impact Craters |publisher= Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII (|date= 2007) |url= http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2007/pdf/2316.pdf }}</ref>

In 2022, the government of Maharashtra began plans to develop the site as a tourist attraction.<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 July 2022 |title= Lonar Lake in Maharashtra to be developed as a tourist spot; govt approves INR 370 cr |newspaper= The Times of indiaIndia |date= 30 July 2022 |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/lonar-lake-in-maharashtra-to-be-developed-as-a-tourist-spot-govt-approves-inr-370-cr/articleshow/93237358.cms |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220730135227/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/lonar-lake-in-maharashtra-to-be-developed-as-a-tourist-spot-govt-approves-inr-370-cr/articleshow/93237358.cms |archive-date= 30 July 2022 |url-status= live }}</ref>

There is a small circular depression at a distance of around {{cvt|700|m||}} from the main lake, believed to be caused by a fragment of the main meteor. There is a [[Hanuman]] temple near this lake, with the idol made of rock believed to be highly magnetic. The water from Ambar lake is being drained by local farmers.<ref name=dh1>{{cite news |last1= Tehsin |first1= Arefa |date= 26 July 2015 |title= From the bottomless beyond From|work= theDeccan bottomlessHerald beyond|url= http://www.deccanherald.com/content/491443/from-bottomless-beyond.html |access-date=26 July 2015|publisher=Deccan Herald, newspaper|date=26 July 2015 }}</ref> This lake is sometimes also called ''Chhota'' (little) Lonar.<ref name=kale/>

'''Kala Namak and Nimak Dalla''' are found in white crystalline masses. '''''Khuppal''''' is obtained in solid compact lumps and consists of a mixture of carbonates and chlorides in roughly equal proportions. '''''Pipadi''''' or '''''Papri''''', which has a similar chemical composition, is very different in appearance. It is frequently tinged, slightly pink in colour and hollow air spaces are found between the crystalline masses which are formed in flakes or layers. '''''Bhuski''''' has no definite structure but consists of a soft flaky powder mixed with a quantity of impurity. It can be compared to small salt substance or baking soda.

The salts are not all obtained in the same way or at the same period of the year. ''Pipadi'' and Bhuski''bhuski'' are deposited on the shores of the lake as the water dries up in the hot weather, Pipadi''pipadi'' being the upper layer and therefore the purer. Except for Bhuski''bhuski'', the salts are in a fairly pure state and contain only small proportions of earthy matter. Their further purification is not considered difficult.<ref name="Maha"/>

[[Gaylussite]] is the mineral has been recently reported from drill core in Lonar lake.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Anoop et|first1= alAmbili |last2= Prasad |first2= Sushma |last3= Schröder |first3= Birgit |last4= Basavaiah |first4= Nathani |last5= Gaye |first5= Birgit |last6= Naumann |first6= Rudolf |last7= Menzel |first7= Philip |last8= Weise |first8= S., ''|last9= Brauer |first9= Achim |date= May 2013 |title= Palaeoenvironmental implications of evaporative gaylussite crystals from Lonar Lake, central India,'' |journal= Journal of Quaternary Science, V.,|volume= Issue28 |issue= 4, pp.|pages= 349–359, May|doi= 201310.1002/jqs.2625 |bibcode= 2013JQS....28..349A |url= https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/31664626/Gaylussite_Anoop_et_al.__2013-libre.pdf?1391485497=&response-content-disposition=attachment%3B+filename%3DPalaeoenvironmental_implications_of_evap.pdf&Expires=1722295209&Signature=JQMLKB0EW1JuY9KaMgwhAF95cRi-C4g3waEyej0cUoimYccb8eE8Hzh68ismCLAjvi~hwbKqmEisYXrhznNjtvwkze~Ne4m-2UnsFYo2bpvi-juoCR0IodrtYtJ4Mx6zOLfXkU0J-GfX5~CW7bMPQ3IIXiAVDL~wkz-jAUHOgC310HmSqFfm0qnD1787XNGxn7sdw-s7WLt2qzcJBg0RjFM6PPKnUZ9aTx0JyK6~gS4eVx53iRxZs5pZwuvE9i5PW~fRhkPAjbOgfkMF7iBPzxsU5vousAcgNFy4Ht7Brj6GUiBphfR1S0VIU2AMCnqJnZBDM-LsR08JoCSsFaxxpg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA |access-date= 2024-07-29 }},</ref> Gaylussite is a [[carbonate mineral]], a hydrated sodium calcium carbonate, formula Na₂Ca(CO₃)₂·5H₂O. It occurs as translucent, vitreous white to grey to yellow [[monoclinic]] prismatic crystals. It is an unstable mineral which dehydrates in dry air and decomposes in water.<ref name=Handbook>{{Cite web|url=http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/gaylussite.pdf|title=Handbook of Mineralogy}}</ref>

''[[Streptomyces alkalithermotolerans]]'' is an [[alkaliphilic]] and [[Thermophile|thermotolerant]] bacterium species from the genus of ''[[Streptomyces]]'' which has been isolated from the Lonar soda lake in [[India]].<ref name=Streptomyces-alkalithermotolerans>{{cite web|url=http://www.bacterio.net/streptomycesa.html|title=Streptomyces file 1|website=www.bacterio.net|access-date=27 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224528/http://www.bacterio.net/streptomycesa.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=AC3>{{cite journal |pmidlast1=25391353 Sultanpuram |yearfirst1=2015 Vishnuvardhan Reddy |last1last2=Sultanpuram Mothe |first1first2=V. R.Thirumala |last3= Mohammed |first3= Farooq |date= November 2014 |title= ''Streptomyces alkalithermotolerans'' sp. nov., a novel alkaliphilic and thermotolerant actinomycete isolated from a soda lake |journal= Antonie van Leeuwenhoek |volume= 107 |issue= 2 |pages= 337–344|last2=Mothe|first2=T|last3=Mohammed|first3=F |doi= 10.1007/s10482-014-0332-z |oclc= 1190077002 |pmid= 25391353 |s2cid= 6220162 }}</ref>

The chemical characteristics of the lake shows two distinct regions that do not mix – an outer neutral ([[pH]] 7) and an inner [[alkaline]] (pH 11) each with its own flora and fauna. The lake is a haven for a wide range of plant and animal life.<ref name=rama1/>

Among reptiles, the [[monitor lizard]] is reported to be prominent. The lake is also home to thousands of [[peafowl]]s, [[chinkara]] and [[gazelle]]s.<ref name=rama1>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19991103/ige03039.html|title=Plea to declare Lonar lake a protected wetland|date=3 November 1999|author=Indian Express Newspapers|website=Express India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926081338/http://http/|archive-date=26 September 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> The area of {{cvt|3.83|km²km2||}} was declared as Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary by the government on 20&nbsp;November 2015.<ref>[http://www.moef.gov.in/sites/default/files/%20Lonar%20Wildlife%20Sanctuary%2C%20Maharashtra.pdf]{{dead link|date=January 2020}}</ref>

While the Lonar Lake appears green for most of the year due to the presence of dense blooms of cyanobacteria such as ''Arthrospira'' spp.,<ref name="Surakasi VP 2010">Surakasi VP, Antony CP, Sharma S, Patole MS, Shouche YS. (2010). Temporal bacterial diversity and detection of putative methanotrophs in surface mats of Lonar crater lake. J Basic Microbiol 50: 465–474.</ref> bacteria and archaea belonging to diverse functional groups such as methanogens, methanotrophs, phototrophs, denitrifiers, sulfur oxidizers, sulfate reducers, heterotrophs and syntrophs have been reported.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal |last1= Antony CP,|first1= Chakkiath Paul |last2= Kumaresan D,|first2= Deepak |last3= Hunger S,|first3= Sindy |last4= Drake HL,|first4= Harold L. |last5= Murrell JC,|first5= J. Colin |last6= Shouche YS|first6= Yogesh S. |date= March 2013 |title= Microbiology of Lonar Lake and other soda lakes. |journal= ISME Journal. 2013;|volume= 7( |issue= 3): |pages= 468–476 |doi= 10.1038/ismej.2012.137 |pmc= 3578565 |pmid= 23178675 |bibcode= 2013ISMEJ...7..468P }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1= Surakasi VP,|first1= Venkata Prasad |last2= Wani AA,|first2= Aijaz Ahmad |last3= Shouche YS,|first3= Yogesh S. |last4= Ranade DR|first4= Dilip R. (|date= November 2007). |title= Phylogenetic analysis of methanogenic enrichment cultures obtained from Lonar Lake in India: isolation of ''Methanocalculus'' sp. and ''Methanoculleus'' sp. Microb|journal= EcolMicrobial Ecology |volume= 54: |issue= 4 |pages= 697–704 |doi= 10.1007/s00248-007-9228-z |pmid= 17483868 |bibcode= 2007MicEc..54..697S }}</ref><ref name="Surakasi VP 2010"/><ref>Wani AA, Surakasi VP, Siddharth J, Raghavan RG, Patole MS, Ranade D, Shouche YS. (2006). Molecular analyses of microbial diversity associated with the Lonar soda lake in India: an impact crater in a basalt area. Res Microbiol 157: 928–937.</ref><ref name="Antony CP 2014">Antony CP, Shimpi GG, Cockell CS, Patole MS, Shouche YS. (2014). Molecular Characterization of Prokaryotic Communities Associated with Lonar Crater Basalts. Geomicrobiology J 31(6): 519–528.</ref><ref>Joshi AA, Kanekar PP, Kelkar AS, Shouche YS, Vani AA, Borgave SB, Sarnaik SS. (2008). Cultivable bacterial diversity of alkaline Lonar Lake, India. Microb Ecol 55: 163–172.</ref><ref>Paul, D., Kumbhare, S. V., Mhatre, S. S., Chowdhury, S. P., Shetty, S. A., Marathe, N. P., et al. (2016). Exploration of microbial diversity and community structure of Lonar Lake: the only hypersaline meteorite crater lake within basalt rock. Front. Microbiol. 6:1553.</ref><ref>Kumar PA, Srinivas TNR, Kumar PP, Madhu S, Shivaji S. (2010). ''Nitritalea halalkaliphila'' gen. nov., sp. nov., an alkaliphilic bacterium of the family ‘Cyclobacteriaceae’, phylum ''Bacteroidetes''. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 60: 2320–2325.</ref><ref>Kumar PA, Srinivas TNR, Madhu S, Manorama R, Shivaji S. (2010). ''Indibacter alkaliphilus'' gen. nov., sp. nov., an alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a haloalkaline lake. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 60: 721–726.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1= Pinnaka |first1= Anil Kumar PA,|last2= Srinivas TNR,|first2= Tanuku Naga Radha |last3= Subramani |first3= Madhu S,|last4= Railla |first4= Sravan R,kumar |last5= Singh S,|first5= NaqviShashi SWA|last6= etNaqvi al|first6= S.W.A. (|last7= Mayilraj |first7= Shamnugam |last8= Shivaji |first8= Sisinthy |date= September 2012). |title= ''Cecembia lonarensis'' gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel haloalkalitolerant bacterium of the family ‘''Cyclobacteriaceae''’, isolated from a haloalkaline lake and emended descriptions of the genera ''Indibacter'', ''Nitritalea'' and ''Belliella''. Int|journal= JInternational SystJournal Evolof MicrobiolSystematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |volume= 62: |issue= 9 |pages= 2252–2258 |doi= 10.1099/ijs.0.038604-0 |pmid= 22081718 }} (also published in [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51480408_Cecembia_lonarensis_gen_nov_sp_nov_a_novel_haloalkalitolerant_bacterium_of_the_family_Cyclobacteriaceae_isolated_from_a_haloalkaline_lake_and_emended_descriptions_of_the_genera_Indibacter_Nitritalea_B July 2011, vol. 63, n° 7].)</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1= Srinivas A,|first1= Are |last2= Rahul |first2= K,. |last3= Sasikala |first3= Ch,. |last4= Subhash |first4= Y,. |last5= Ramaprasad EV,|first5= E.V.V |last6= Ramana ChV|first6= Ch.V. (|date= October 2012). |title= ''Georgenia satyanarayanai'' sp. nov., an alkaliphilic and thermotolerant amylase producing actinobacterium isolated from a soda lake. Int|journal= JInternational SystJournal Evolof MicrobiolSystematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |volume= 62: |issue= 10 |pages= 2405–2409 |doi= 10.1099/ijs.0.036210-0 |pmid= 22140168}}</ref><ref>Sultanpuram VR, Lodha TD, Chintalapati VR, Chintalapati S. (2013). Cohaesibacter haloalkalitolerans sp. nov., isolated from a soda lake, and emended description of the genus Cohaesibacter. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 63: 4271-4276</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1= Sultanpuram VR,|first1= Vishnuvardhan Reddy |last2= Mothe T,|first2= Thirumala |last3= Chintalapati S,|first3= Sasikala |last4= Chintalapati VR.|first4= Venkata Ramana |date= June (2017). |title= ''Nesterenkonia cremea'' sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from a soda lake. |journal= Int J Syst Evol Microbiol |volume= 67: |issue= 6 |pages= 1861–1866 |doi= 10.1099/ijsem.0.001876 |pmid= 28665262 }}</ref> Diverse alveolates, fungi, stramenopiles, choanoflagellates, amoebozoans and cercozoans, and many novel lineages of putative micro-eukaryotes were detected in molecular surveys of Lonar Lake sediments. Gene sequences of ciliated protozoans such as ''Oxytricha longa'' and fungi belonging to ''Candida'' spp. were also recovered from lake sediment microcosms containing enriched populations of methylotrophic bacteria.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> A new species of fungus ''Curvularia lonarensis'' has been described from the lake.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Sharma R,|first1= Rahul |last2= Prakash O,|first2= Om |last3= Sonawane MS,|first3= Mahesh S. |last4= Nimonkar Y,|first4= Yogesh |last5= Golellu PB|first5= etPriyanka alB. (|last6= Sharma |first6= Rohit |date= 2016) |title= Diversity and distribution of phenol oxidase producing fungi from soda lake and description of ''Curvularia lonarensis'' sp. nov. |journal= Frontiers in Microbiology |volume= 7: |issue= |pages= 1847 |doi= 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01847 |doi-access= free |pmid= 27920761 |pmc= 5118452 }}</ref>

'''; Noteworthy functional groups of microorganisms:'''

Methylotrophs belonging to ''Methylomicrobium'', ''Methylophaga'' and ''Bacillus'' species have been identified in the Lonar Lake sediments.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Antony CP,|first1= Chakkiath Paul |last2= Kumaresan D,|first2= Deepak |last3= Ferrando L,|first3= Lucia |last4=Boden R, |first4= Rich |last5= Moussard H,|first5= Hélène |last6= Scavino AF|first6= etAna alFernández |last7= Shouche |first7= Yogesh S. (2010)|last8= Murrell |first8= J. Colin |date= 2010 |title= Active methylotrophs in the sediments of Lonar Lake, a saline and alkaline ecosystem formed by meteor impact. |journal= The ISME JJournal |volume= 4: |issue= 11 |pages= 1470–1480 |doi= 10.1038/ismej.2010.70 |pmid= 20555363 |bibcode= 2010ISMEJ...4.1470A }}</ref> Methane-oxidizing methylotrophs (methanotrophs) were also detected in the surface scum atop the lake water-column.<ref name="Surakasi VP 2010"/> A novel species of non-methane-utilizing methylotroph ''Methylophaga lonarensis'' was isolated in pure culture from lake sediment microcosms.<ref name="Antony CP 20122012antony">{{cite journal |last1= Antony CP,|first1= Chakkiath Paul |last2= Doronina |first2= NV, |last3= Boden |first3= R, |last4= Trotsenko |first4= YA, |last5= Shouche YS,|first5= Yogesh S. |last6= Murrell JC|first6= J.C. (|date= 2012). |title= ''Methylophaga lonarensis'', a novel moderately haloalkaliphilic methylotroph isolated from the soda lake sediments of a meteorite impact crater. Int|journal= JInternational SystJournal Evolof MicrobiolSystematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |volume= 62: |issue= 7 |pages= 1613–1618 |doi= 10.1099/ijs.0.035089-0 |pmid= 21890731 }}</ref> This haloalkaliphilic bacterium synthesizes and intracellularly accumulates organic solutes such as ectoine that are of biotechnological interest.<ref name="Antony CP 20122012antony"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1= Shetty, S.|first1= Sudarshan A., |last2= Marathe, N.|first2= Nachiket P., |last3= Munot, H.,|first3= Hitendra |last4= Antony, C.|first4= Chakkiath P., |last5= Dhotre, D.|first5= Dhiraj P., |last6= Murrell, |first6= J.C., andColin |last7= Shouche, Y.|first7= Yogesh S., |date= June 2013 |title= Draft genome sequence of ''Methylophaga lonarensis'' MPLMPLT, a haloalkaliphilic (non-methane-utilizing) methylotroph, |journal= Genome Announc., 2013, vol.|volume= 1, pp.|issue= 3 |pages= 202–213 |doi= 10.1128/genomeA.00202-13 |pmc= 3650440 |pmid= 23661481 }}</ref> Methylotrophic methanogenesis has been reported in Lonar Lake sediments and the primary microorganism (archaeon) that is responsible was identified as being closely related to ''Methanolobus oregonensis''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Antony CP,|first1= Chakkiath Paul |last2= Murrell JC,|first2= J. Colin |last3= Shouche YS|first3= Yogesh S. (|date= July 2012). |title= Molecular diversity of methanogens and identification of ''Methanolobus'' sp. as active methylotrophic Archaea in Lonar crater lake sediments. |journal= FEMS MicrobiolMicrobiology EcolEcology |volume= 81: |issue= 1 |pages= 43–51 |doi= 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01274.x |pmid= 22150151 |bibcode= 2012FEMME..81...43A }}</ref>

Nonsymbiotic [[Nitrogen fixation|nitrogen-fixing microorganism]]s such as ''Halomonas'' sp., ''[[Paracoccus (bacterium)|Paracoccus]]'' sp., ''[[Klebsiella]]'' sp., ''[[Slackia]]'' sp., and ''[[Actinopolyspora]]'' sp. have been reported from this lake. All the nitrogen fixers are [[haloalkaliphilic]] in nature as they can grow only at pH-11. Some of the [[bacteria]] and [[actinomycetes]] isolated from this lake are able to grow on some components of inorganic medium containing ''martian soil simulant components''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Raut |first1= Avinash Anand Raut|last2= andBajekal |first2= Shyam S. Bajekal;|date= October 2010 |title= Growth of Microaerophilic Nonsymbioticnonsymbiotic nitrogen Fixingfixing Microorganismsmicroaerophiles from Lonar LakeCrater on Inorganicinorganic Mediummedium containingof Martianmartian soil simulant components; in|journal= Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology; to|volume= be4 published|issue= on2 October|pages= 2010819–822 |url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/207893934 |access-date= 2024-07-29 }}</ref>

In early June 2020, the lake turned red/pink in a span of 2–3 days.<ref>{{cite news |last1= Taneja |first1= Nidhi |date= 10 June 2020 |title= Lonar Lake in Maharashtra mysteriously turns red; officials baffled|language=en |work=www. indiatvnews.com |language= en |url= https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/lonar-lake-maharashtra-changes-red-mysteriously-forest-officials-baffled-625166 |access-date= 10 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1= Mapari |first1= Kishor |date= 10 June 2020 |title= अहो आश्चर्यम...लोणार सरोवराचे पाणी झाले लाल ! |language= mr-IN |work= Lokmat |url= https://www.lokmat.com/buldhana/ah-wonder-water-lonar-lake-turned-red-a310/ |access-date= 10 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1= Jha |first1= Himanshu |date= 10 June 2020 |title= महाराष्ट्र: अचानक लाल हो गया लोनार झील का पानी, कारण पता लगाने में जुटा वन विभाग|language= hi |work= Live Hindustan |url= https://www.livehindustan.com/maharashtra/story-water-of-lonar-crater-lake-in-buldhana-district-has-turned-red-3272294.html |access-date= 10 June 2020 }}</ref> Reports by [[Agharkar Research Institute]], [[National Environmental Engineering Research Institute]] and [[Geological Survey of India]] suggested that lowered water levels and high salinity caused growth of [[Halobacterium]] and increased [[Carotenoid]] levels, which in turn led to color change.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-19 |title= Pink hue in Lonar Lake due to salt-loving bacteria, says report |website= hindustantimes.com |publisher= Hindustan Times |date= 2020-07-19 |language= en |url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/pink-hue-in-lonar-lake-due-to-salt-loving-bacteria-says-report/story-f0izImYoB3cnWPU3pfkAFM.html |access-date= 2020-07-20|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite webnews |datelast=July 18,Gole 2020|first= Swati Shinde |lastdate=Gole July 18, 2020 |title= Maharashtra: ARI says bacteria tinged Lonar lake's surface pink |newspaper= The Times of India |language= en |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/maharashtra-ari-says-bacteria-tinged-lonar-lakes-surface-pink/articleshow/77031398.cms |access-date= 2020-07-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite webnews |datelast=July 23,Ganjapure 2020|first= Vaibhav |lastdate=Ganjapure July 23, 2020 |title= Lonar Lake colour change not due to pollution but summer heat: HC |newspaper= The Times of India |language= en |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/lonar-lake-colour-change-not-due-to-pollution-but-summer-heat-hc/articleshow/77116774.cms |access-date= 2020-07-27|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

Numerous temples surround the lake, most of which stand in ruins today, except for the temple of Daityasudana at the centre of the Lonar town, which was built in honour of Vishnu killing the asura Lonasura. It is a fine example of early Hindu architecture.<ref name="auto">[http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Buldhana/home.html] Central Provinces Buldana district Gazetteer] (dead link)</ref> [[Vishnu]], [[Shiva]], [[Brahma]], [[Lakshmi]], [[Parvati]], [[Saraswati|Sarasvati]] are deities present in other temples found inside the crater.

The temple of Daityasudana at Lonar is the best example of the [[Hemadpanthi]] style. From the standing image of [[Surya]] in the principal niche on the back of the temple, it is conjectured that the temple was originally dedicated to Surya. However, in the present form itsit is a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] temple of godto Vishnu as Daityasudana. Lonasura is aan ''asura'' who lived in this place along with his siblings. He was killed by Vishnu as Daityasudana hence is the name.

There are numerous ridges onto the temple with different decoration,decorations imagesand havingsignificant iconic as well as artistic significanceimages. Many of the images depict deities and incidents onrelated to Hindu ''[[Puranas]]''.<ref>{{cite web |author= mrsachindixit |date= 26 December 2012 |title= Daityasudan Temple |url= http://lonar.org/2012/12/26/daityasudan-temple/|title=Daityasudan Temple|author=mrsachindixit|date=26 December 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131223123937/http://lonar.org/2012/12/26/daityasudan-temple/ |archive-date= 23 December 2013 |url-status= dead |access-date= 7 July 2017 }}</ref>

* Shankara Ganesha temple, is partially submerged in a lake and is noted for a rectangular Shiva statue.<ref name=ng/>

* Motha Maruti temple is near the Ambar crater lake, with a statue made of a rock which iais a fragment of athe asteroid that created the crater.

* Use of fertilizers, pesticides and toxic materials in the agricultureagricultural fieldfields around the lake results in pollution of lake water.<ref>{{cite webnews |title= Lonar crater now included in its wildlife sanctuary, move lauded |newspaper= The Times of India |series= Nagpur News |date= December 2016 |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Lonar-crater-now-included-in-its-wildlife-sanctuary-move-lauded/articleshow/55714294.cms|title=Lonar Crater: Lonar crater now included in its wildlife sanctuary, move lauded &#124; Nagpur News |website=The Times of India}}</ref>

* "Dhara", and "Sita Nahani" are perennial streams that are one of the water sources for the lake. They are used for bathing, washing clothes and cattle, and other domestic purposes by the local people, pilgrims, and tourists. The householdHousehold effluents containing detergents are regularly disposed of here.<ref name="mahenvis.nic.in">{{cite web |title= Newsletter |website= mahenvis.nic.in |url= http://www.mahenvis.nic.in/pdf/Newsletter/nletter_crater.pdf |title=Newsletter |publisher=www.mahenvis.nic.in |access-date= 14 January 2020 }}</ref>

* Deforestation is illegally {{citation needed|date=November 2011}} carried out in the surroundings and cattle grazing inside or near the rim of the crater creates fecal pollution.<ref name="mahenvis.nic.in"/>

* Excavation activities are often carried out illegally, thus disturbing the lake's underground water source.

* The government is unable to raise funds needed for preserving this crater and often tourist activities continue tooften cause environmental damagedamages to nearby land.

* The lake's ecosystem is being damaged because of theby sewage dump in the lake.<ref>{{cite webnews |title= Sewage threat looms over unique Lonar crater lake &#124; Pune News |newspaper= The Times of India |date= 3 December 2013 |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Sewage-threat-looms-over-unique-Lonar-crater-lake/articleshow/26758752.cms|title=Sewage threat looms over unique Lonar crater lake &#124; Pune News |website=The Times of India}}</ref> Marauding pilgrims and increasing pollution is disturbing its substantial flora and fauna with about 100 resident and migratory birds.<ref>{{cite news |urlfirst=https://www N.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/moon-magic-on-earth/article4181113.ece Shiva |last= Kumar |date= 9 December 2012 |title= Moon magic on earth|first=N. Shiva|last=Kumar|newspaper= The Hindu |datevia=9 Decemberthehindu.com 2012|viaurl= https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/moon-magic-on-earth/article4181113.ece }}</ref>

* Commercial activities, including illegal construction, within the vicinity of lake has damaged the lake's natural topography.<ref>{{cite web |title= Pune-based environmentalists urge MoEF to protect Lonar crater |date= 9 March 2016 |url= https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-based-environmentalists-urge-moef-to-protect-lonar-crater/|title=Pune-based environmentalists urge MoEF to protect Lonar crater|date=9 March 2016}}</ref>

* According to a research done in 2017, the lead researcher stated "The study found out that reduction in water level is a combined result of drying up of (nearby) percolation dam and the closure of streams (which flow) into the lake."<ref>{{cite web |title= Maharashtra's Lonar Lake, Formed by A Meteorite Fall May Disappear In Some Years |website= indiatimes.com |date= 1 September 2017 |url= http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/maharashtra-s-lonar-lake-formed-by-a-meteorite-fall-may-disappear-in-some-years-328938.html|title=Maharashtra's Lonar Lake, Formed by A Meteorite Fall May Disappear In Some Years|date=1 September 2017|website=indiatimes.com}}</ref>

The crater is protected as a geological landmark and authorities have recognized the role of the historical and archaeological heritage in the lake,. neverthelessNevertheless action is needed to prevent the adverse impact of settlements and religious festivities on the local ecosystem. Various civic activities (e.g. "Save Lonar") for the protection of Lonar crater are on-going.