Lonar Lake

File:Lonar Meteorite Crater edit 1.JPG

A series of small hills surround the basin, which has an oval shape, almost round, with a circumference at top of about 8 km (five miles). The sides of the basin rise abruptly at an angle of about 75°. At the base of the sides, the lake has a circumference of about 4.8 km (three miles). The slopes are covered with tree-savannah, housing teak (Tectona grandis), Wrightia tinctoria, Butea monosperma, and Helicteres isora, and with shrub-savannah housing Acacia nilotica and Ziziphus spp.. Along the lake shore, non-native Prosopis juliflora is spreading.{{Cite journal|title = Modern pollen vegetation relationships in a dry deciduous monsoon forest: A case study from Lonar Crater Lake, central India|journal = Quaternary International|date = 12 June 2015|pages = 268–279|volume = 371|series = Updated Quaternary Climatic Research in parts of the Third Pole Selected papers from the HOPE-2013 conference, Nainital, India|doi = 10.1016/j.quaint.2015.01.046|first1 = Nils|last1 = Riedel|first2 = Martina|last2 = Stebich|first3 = Ambili|last3 = Anoop|first4 = Nathani|last4 = Basavaiah|first5 = Philip|last5 = Menzel|first6 = Sushma|last6 = Prasad|first7 = Dirk|last7 = Sachse|first8 = Saswati|last8 = Sarkar|first9 = Martin|last9 = Wiesner|bibcode = 2015QuInt.371..268R}} Millet, maize, okra, banana, and papaya are the main cultivated crops.

The water of the lake contains various salts and sodas. During dry weather, when evaporation reduces the water level, large quantities of soda are collected. Two small streams, named Purna and Penganga,{{cite book|last1=Kale|first1=Vishwas S|title=Landscapes and Landforms of India|date=2014|publisher=Springer|isbn=9789401780292|pages=223–229|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_MsBAAAQBAJ&q=lonar+lake&pg=PA229|access-date=26 July 2015}} drain into the lake, and a well of fresh water is located on the southern side, close to the water's edge.[http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Buldhana/gen_geology.html#] Geology – Formation of the alluvium

{{Infobox terrestrial impact site

| name = Lonar crater

| other_name =

| photo =

| photo_caption =

| map = Asia

| map_caption = Asteroid impact location in Asia

| coordinates =

| confidence = Confirmed

| diameter = {{cvt|1.8|km}}

| depth = {{cvt|290|m}}

| age = 570 ± 47 Ka

| exposed =

| drilled =

| imp_size =

| bolide =

| country = India

| state =

}}

File:Lonar Crater Lake NASA.png satellite)]]

File:Lonar crater satellite.jpg

Lonar Lake lies within the only known extraterrestrial impact crater found within the great Deccan Traps, a huge basaltic formation in India.{{cite journal |last1= Crósta |first1= Alvaro P. |last2= Kazzuo-Vieira |first2= César |last3= Pittarello |first3= Lidia |last4= Koeberl |first4= Christian |last5= Kenkmann |first5= Thomas |date= January 2012 |title= Geology and impact features of Vargeao Dome, southern Brazil |journal= Meteoritics & Planetary Science |volume= 47 |issue= 1 |pages= 51–71 |doi= 10.1111/j.1945-5100.2011.01312.x |bibcode= 2012M&PS...47...51C }} The lake was initially believed to be of 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 cones, 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.{{cite web |title= Lonar crater |website= wondermondo.com |date= 7 October 2016 |url= http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/India/Maharashtra/LonarCrater.htm }}

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.{{cite journal |last1= Jourdan |first1= F. |last2= Moynier |first2= F. |last3= Koeberl |first3= C. |last4= Eroglu |first4= Sümeyya |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 |doi= 10.1130/g31888.1 |bibcode= 2011Geo....39..671J }}

As a result of the studies, the geological features of the Lonar crater have been divided into five distinguishable zones, exhibiting distinct geomorphic characteristics.{{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 |archive-date= 6 October 2014 }}

The five zones are:{{Cite web |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 }}

1. The outermost ejecta blanket
2. The crater rim
3. The slopes of the crater
4. The crater basin, excluding lake
5. The crater lake

The lake was first mentioned in ancient scriptures such as the Skanda Purana and the Padma Purana.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

The Ain-i-Akbari, a document written about 1600 CE, states:

These mountains produce all the requisites for making glass and soap. And here are saltpetre works which yield a considerable revenue to the State, from the duties collected. On these mountains is a spring of salt water, but the water from the centre and the edges is perfectly fresh.

Buldhana district in Maharashtra, where the lake is located, was once part of the Maurya Empire and then part of the Satavahana Empire. The Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas also ruled this area. During the period of the Mughals, Yadavas, Nizam, and the British, trade prospered in this area. Several temples found on the periphery of the Lake are known as Yadava temples and also as Hemadpanti temples (named after Hemadri Ramgaya).

In 2022, the government of Maharashtra began plans to develop the site as a tourist attraction.{{Cite news |title= Lonar Lake in Maharashtra to be developed as a tourist spot; govt approves INR 370 cr |newspaper= The Times of India |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 }}

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.{{cite news |last1= Tehsin |first1= Arefa |date= 26 July 2015 |title= From the bottomless beyond |work= Deccan Herald |url= http://www.deccanherald.com/content/491443/from-bottomless-beyond.html |access-date= 26 July 2015 }} This lake is sometimes also called Chhota (little) Lonar.

The Gazetteer chronicles the findings of the British administrators and scientists, notably, Colonel Mackenzie, scientist Dr. I. B. Lyon, J. O. Malcolmson and Plymen, agricultural chemist. Some extracts from Plymen's report, given in quotes, are informative.[http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Buldhana/minerals.html# Working of the Lake]

The saline deposits obtained from the lake are rather of an exceptional nature. Compared with the most famous salt lake in India, the Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan (India), it will be seen that whereas at Lonar the carbonates of soda are the most important, in the case of the Sambhar Lake the deposits of sodium chloride or common salt give the lake its value. The modes of formation are also entirely different and it is practically certain that the Lonar salts are derived from an unknown source in the bed of the lake. It is true that water is continually flowing into the lake and that except by evaporation there is no loss. The main feeder stream could not however supply this amount of alkali nor could the other smaller supplies coming in during the rains, for on all sides of the lake vegetation is abundant, particularly where the main stream flows in continuously. Were any quantity of alkali present in this water, vegetation would suffer considerably and, with exception of a few varieties of plants, eventually die out entirely.

The salts collected from this lake vary in their nature and composition and from their-appearance are easily separated by men accustomed to handling them. Various names are given to some five or six main varieties, but there is no fixed line between one salt and another, their compositions depending upon the period and condition of crystallization. At the present time large quantities of these salts are lying on the shores of the lake...

With the process of crystallization, sodium chloride or common salt is formed along with the carbonates of soda resulting in a number of products, as explained below.

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 are deposited on the shores of the lake as the water dries up in the hot weather, pipadi being the upper layer and therefore the purer. Except for bhuski, the salts are in a fairly pure state and contain only small proportions of earthy matter. Their further purification is not considered difficult.

Commercial exploitation of the salts from the lake is recorded from 1842, including the period of Government of Nizam, and until 1903. Presently, there is only a very small local demand for these Lonar Lake products.

Gaylussite is the mineral has been recently reported from drill core in Lonar lake.{{cite journal |last1= Anoop |first1= Ambili |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 |volume= 28 |issue= 4 |pages= 349–359 |doi= 10.1002/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 }}, 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.{{Cite web|url=http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/gaylussite.pdf|title=Handbook of Mineralogy}}

Streptomyces alkalithermotolerans is an alkaliphilic and thermotolerant bacterium species from the genus of Streptomyces which has been isolated from the Lonar soda lake in India.{{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}}{{cite journal |last1= Sultanpuram |first1= Vishnuvardhan Reddy |last2= Mothe |first2= 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 |doi= 10.1007/s10482-014-0332-z |oclc= 1190077002 |pmid= 25391353 |s2cid= 6220162 }}

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.

The site has 160 bird, 46 reptile and 12 mammal species.[https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lonars-meteor-lake-declared-ramsar-site-7050926/ Lonar’s meteor lake declared Ramsar site], Indian Express, 13 Nov 2020. Resident and migratory birds such as black-winged stilts, brahminy ducks, grebes, shelducks (European migrants), shovelers, teals, herons, red-wattled lapwings, rollers or blue jays, baya weavers, parakeets, hoopoes, larks, tailorbirds, magpies, robins and swallows are found on the lake.

Among reptiles, the monitor lizard is reported to be prominent. The lake is also home to thousands of peafowls, chinkara and gazelles.{{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}} The area of {{cvt|3.83|km2||}} was declared as Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary by the government on 20 November 2015.[http://www.moef.gov.in/sites/default/files/%20Lonar%20Wildlife%20Sanctuary%2C%20Maharashtra.pdf]{{dead link|date=January 2020}}

While the Lonar Lake appears green for most of the year due to the presence of dense blooms of cyanobacteria such as Arthrospira spp.,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. bacteria and archaea belonging to diverse functional groups such as methanogens, methanotrophs, phototrophs, denitrifiers, sulfur oxidizers, sulfate reducers, heterotrophs and syntrophs have been reported.{{cite journal |last1= Antony |first1= Chakkiath Paul |last2= Kumaresan |first2= Deepak |last3= Hunger |first3= Sindy |last4= Drake |first4= Harold L. |last5= Murrell |first5= J. Colin |last6= Shouche |first6= Yogesh S. |date= March 2013 |title= Microbiology of Lonar Lake and other soda lakes |journal= ISME Journal |volume= 7 |issue= 3 |pages= 468–476 |doi= 10.1038/ismej.2012.137 |pmc= 3578565 |pmid= 23178675 |bibcode= 2013ISMEJ...7..468P }}{{cite journal |last1= Surakasi |first1= Venkata Prasad |last2= Wani |first2= Aijaz Ahmad |last3= Shouche |first3= Yogesh S. |last4= Ranade |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. |journal= Microbial Ecology |volume= 54 |issue= 4 |pages= 697–704 |doi= 10.1007/s00248-007-9228-z |pmid= 17483868 |bibcode= 2007MicEc..54..697S }}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.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.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.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.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.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.{{cite journal |last1= Pinnaka |first1= Anil Kumar |last2= Srinivas |first2= Tanuku Naga Radha |last3= Subramani |first3= Madhu |last4= Railla |first4= Sravan kumar |last5= Singh |first5= Shashi |last6= Naqvi |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 |journal= International Journal of Systematic 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].){{cite journal |last1= Srinivas |first1= Are |last2= Rahul |first2= K. |last3= Sasikala |first3= Ch. |last4= Subhash |first4= Y. |last5= Ramaprasad |first5= E.V.V |last6= Ramana |first6= Ch.V. |date= October 2012 |title= Georgenia satyanarayanai sp. nov., an alkaliphilic and thermotolerant amylase producing actinobacterium isolated from a soda lake |journal= International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |volume= 62 |issue= 10 |pages= 2405–2409 |doi= 10.1099/ijs.0.036210-0 |pmid= 22140168}}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{{cite journal |last1= Sultanpuram |first1= Vishnuvardhan Reddy |last2= Mothe |first2= Thirumala |last3= Chintalapati |first3= Sasikala |last4= Chintalapati |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 }} 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. A new species of fungus Curvularia lonarensis has been described from the lake.{{cite journal |last1= Sharma |first1= Rahul |last2= Prakash |first2= Om |last3= Sonawane |first3= Mahesh S. |last4= Nimonkar |first4= Yogesh |last5= Golellu |first5= Priyanka B. |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 }}

; Noteworthy functional groups of microorganisms

Methylotrophs belonging to Methylomicrobium, Methylophaga and Bacillus species have been identified in the Lonar Lake sediments.{{cite journal |last1= Antony |first1= Chakkiath Paul |last2= Kumaresan |first2= Deepak |last3= Ferrando |first3= Lucia |last4=Boden |first4= Rich |last5= Moussard |first5= Hélène |last6= Scavino |first6= Ana Fernández |last7= Shouche |first7= Yogesh S. |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 Journal |volume= 4 |issue= 11 |pages= 1470–1480 |doi= 10.1038/ismej.2010.70 |pmid= 20555363 |bibcode= 2010ISMEJ...4.1470A }} Methane-oxidizing methylotrophs (methanotrophs) were also detected in the surface scum atop the lake water-column. A novel species of non-methane-utilizing methylotroph Methylophaga lonarensis was isolated in pure culture from lake sediment microcosms.{{cite journal |last1= Antony |first1= Chakkiath Paul |last2= Doronina |first2= NV |last3= Boden |first3= R |last4= Trotsenko |first4= YA |last5= Shouche |first5= Yogesh S. |last6= Murrell |first6= J.C. |date= 2012 |title= Methylophaga lonarensis, a novel moderately haloalkaliphilic methylotroph isolated from the soda lake sediments of a meteorite impact crater |journal= International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |volume= 62 |issue= 7 |pages= 1613–1618 |doi= 10.1099/ijs.0.035089-0 |pmid= 21890731 }} This haloalkaliphilic bacterium synthesizes and intracellularly accumulates organic solutes such as ectoine that are of biotechnological interest.{{cite journal |last1= Shetty |first1= Sudarshan A. |last2= Marathe |first2= Nachiket P. |last3= Munot |first3= Hitendra |last4= Antony |first4= Chakkiath P. |last5= Dhotre |first5= Dhiraj P. |last6= Murrell |first6= J. Colin |last7= Shouche |first7= Yogesh S. |date= June 2013 |title= Draft genome sequence of Methylophaga lonarensis MPLT, a haloalkaliphilic (non-methane-utilizing) methylotroph |journal= Genome Announc. |volume= 1 |issue= 3 |pages= 202–213 |doi= 10.1128/genomeA.00202-13 |pmc= 3650440 |pmid= 23661481 }} 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.{{cite journal |last1= Antony |first1= Chakkiath Paul |last2= Murrell |first2= J. Colin |last3= Shouche |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 Microbiology Ecology |volume= 81 |issue= 1 |pages= 43–51 |doi= 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01274.x |pmid= 22150151 |bibcode= 2012FEMME..81...43A }}

Endolithic bacteria belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes, and endolithic archaea belonging to the phyla Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota were detected in Lonar basalt rock samples that were retrieved from the crater walls and the lake-bed. The diversity and richness of endolithic bacteria in these samples were estimated to be higher than that of endolithic archaea. Most of the detected endolithic prokaryotes were identified as being putative methanotrophs, methanogens, phototrophs, ammonia-oxidizers, nitrogen-fixers, denitrifiers, dissimilatory sulfate-reducers and metal-reducers.

Nonsymbiotic nitrogen-fixing microorganisms such as Halomonas sp., 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.{{cite journal |last1= Raut |first1= Avinash Anand |last2= Bajekal |first2= Shyam S. |date= October 2010 |title= Growth of nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixing microaerophiles from Lonar Crater on inorganic medium of martian soil simulant components |journal= Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology |volume= 4 |issue= 2 |pages= 819–822 |url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/207893934 |access-date= 2024-07-29 }}

{{Multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| total_width =

| image1 = Lonar_Lake_algae_bloom_color_change_in_June_2020.gif

| alt1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = Lonar crater lake color change in June 2020.gif

| caption2 =

|footer = Water of Lonar crater lake changing color to pink during June 2020

}}

In early June 2020, the lake turned red/pink in a span of 2–3 days.{{cite news |last1= Taneja |first1= Nidhi |date= 10 June 2020 |title= Lonar Lake in Maharashtra mysteriously turns red; officials baffled |work= 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 }}{{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}}{{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 }} 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.{{Cite web |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 }}{{Cite news |last= Gole |first= Swati Shinde |date= 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 }}{{Cite news |last= Ganjapure |first= Vaibhav |date= 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 }}

{{Clear left}}

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.[http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Buldhana/home.html Central Provinces Buldana district Gazetteer] (dead link) Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Lakshmi, Parvati, Sarasvati are deities present in other temples found inside the crater.

{{Main|Daitya Sudan Temple}}

File:Daitya Sudan.jpg

Daityasudana Temple is a Vishnu temple created by the Chalukya dynasty which ruled Central and Southern Indian subcontinent in the 6th century CE and 12th century CE. It belongs to the Hemadpanthi class and is built in the form of an irregular star. It features carvings similar to those seen at Khajuraho temples. The deity of this temple is made of an ore with a high metal content that resembles stone. The ceiling of the temple has carvings. The exterior walls are also covered with carved figures. The plinth of the temple is about {{cvt|1.5|m|ft|}} in height and the unfinished roof shows a pyramidal form for the tower.

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 it is a Hindu temple to Vishnu as Daityasudana. Lonasura is an asura who lived in this place along with his siblings. He was killed by Vishnu as Daityasudana hence is the name.

The temple measures {{cvt|105|ft|order=flip|}}. long by {{cvt|84.5|ft|order=flip|}}. broad. It is a tree chamber temple, the inner most being sanctum sanctorum, where the statue of Vishnu standing atop dead Lonasura is there. The present day idol was made by Bholse rulers of Nagpur after the original was destroyed. The second chamber is antari where individual pooja are performed, on the roof of this block one created the statues of Vishnu killing Lonasura and Krishna killing Kamsa, Narasimha killing Hiranyakashipu and Krishna and Rukmini. The outermost chamber is sabhamandapa which is meant for group offerings and performance. This portion as well as the entrance gate does not match the style and construction elements of the temple overall. The brickwork was added later to the unfinished temple, which was to various destructions in the 10th century CE.

The main entrance of the temple is east facing. The principle niche at the back of the temple has an image of Surya, the sun god, which gives rise to the speculation that this might have been dedicated to him. The niche on south has an image of Chamunda. The one on left of the temple i.e. north has Narasimha in it. All of these three niches are built like mini temples in themselves having elaborate pillars, base and decoration.

There are numerous ridges onto the temple with different decorations and significant images. Many of the images depict deities and incidents related to Hindu Puranas.{{cite web |author= mrsachindixit |date= 26 December 2012 |title= Daityasudan Temple |url= http://lonar.org/2012/12/26/daityasudan-temple/ |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 }}

• Kamalaja Devi Temple is located beside the lake and also features carved images. Although the water level rises during the rainy season and falls in summer, the temple is located above the water level.
• Gomukha Temple is located along the rim of the crater. A perennial stream emerges from here and pilgrims visiting the temple bathe in the stream. It is also called Sita Nahani temple and Dhara.

File:Indien2012 1365 Lonar Dhara Mandir Lonar Gaurmukh.jpg

• Shankara Ganesha temple is partially submerged in a lake and is noted for a rectangular Shiva statue.
• Rama Gaya temple.
• Motha Maruti temple is near the Ambar crater lake, with a statue made of a rock which is a fragment of the asteroid that created the crater.

Lonar lake faces anthropological and environmental problems as listed below:

• Use of fertilizers, pesticides and toxic materials in the agricultural fields around the lake results in pollution of lake water.{{cite news |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 }}
• "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. Household effluents containing detergents are regularly disposed of here.{{cite web |title= Newsletter |website= mahenvis.nic.in |url= http://www.mahenvis.nic.in/pdf/Newsletter/nletter_crater.pdf |access-date= 14 January 2020 }}
• 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.
• 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 tourist activities often cause environmental damages to nearby land.
• During local festivals such as the Kamala Devi festival, large numbers of pilgrims enter the crater. Small shops and food-stalls are often established near the crater or along its rim.
• Among the frequent visitors are the religious visitors from nearby towns and villages who are not adequately educated by the means of signboards and attending officials about littering and maintaining the beauty of this nationally important destination.
• The lake's ecosystem is being damaged by sewage dump in the lake.{{cite news |title= Sewage threat looms over unique Lonar crater lake | 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 }} Marauding pilgrims and increasing pollution is disturbing its substantial flora and fauna with about 100 resident and migratory birds.{{cite news |first= N. Shiva |last= Kumar |date= 9 December 2012 |title= Moon magic on earth |newspaper= The Hindu |via= thehindu.com |url= https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/moon-magic-on-earth/article4181113.ece }}
• Commercial activities, including illegal construction, within the vicinity of lake has damaged the lake's natural topography.{{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/ }}
• 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."{{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 }}

The crater is protected as a geological landmark and authorities have recognized the role of the historical and archaeological heritage in the lake. Nevertheless 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.

Panoramic views of Lonar Crater

{{wide image|Lonar Panorama.JPG|900px}}

{{wide image|Lonar-Crater.jpg|900px}}

; Impact craters in India

• Dhala crater in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh
• Luna crater at Kutch district of Gujarat
• Ramgarh Crater in Mangrol tehsil of Baran district of Rajasthan
• Shiva crater, a disputed undersea super crater west of India

; Other related topics

• List of impact craters on Earth
• List of possible impact structures on Earth
• List of lakes in India
• List of national parks of India
• Ramsar Convention
• Soda lake
• Tiger reserves of Maharashtra

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2007/pdf/2316.pdf Lonar crater, India: an analog for martian impact craters, Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII abstracts.]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20030519094822/http://tellus.ssec.wisc.edu/outreach/SPARK/Volume2/Lonar/rohit.html Lonar, A Gem of Craters] SPARK Volume 2, K-12 outreach, Space Science and Engineering Centre, University of Wisc-Madison.
• [https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146859/lonar-lake-tries-on-a-rosy-color Lonar Lake changes color from green to pink], NASA Earth Observatory, June 19, 2020
• [http://theindia.info/Blog/Lonar-Meteorite-Crater-Trekking-Walk-down-the-Crater-Lake-Maharashtra/ Trekking to Lonar Lake]

{{Waters of South Asia}}

{{Impact cratering on Earth}}

{{Hydrography of Maharashtra}}

{{Ramsar sites in India}}

{{Portal bar|Astronomy|India}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lonar Crater Lake}}

Category:Archaeological sites in Maharashtra

Category:Buldhana district

Category:Impact craters of India

Category:Lakes of Maharashtra

Category:Vidarbha

Category:National Geological Monuments in India

Category:Pleistocene impact craters

Category:Saline lakes of Asia

Category:Impact crater lakes

Category:Ramsar sites in India