Danakil Depression Research Articles

Nature and significance of Late Pleistocene to Holocene thick evaporite deposits of the Danakil Depression, Afar, Ethiopia

Nature and significance of Late Pleistocene to Holocene thick evaporite deposits of the Danakil Depression, Afar, Ethiopia

Extremely acidic proteomes and metabolic flexibility in bacteria and highly diversified archaea thriving in geothermal chaotropic brines.

Few described archaeal, and fewer bacterial, lineages thrive under salt-saturating conditions, such as solar saltern crystallizers (salinity above 30% w/v). They accumulate molar K+ cytoplasmic concentrations to maintain osmotic balance ('salt-in' strategy) and have proteins adaptively enriched in negatively charged acidic amino acids. Here we analysed metagenomes and metagenome-assembled genomes from geothermally influenced hypersaline ecosystems with increasing chaotropicity in the Danakil Depression. Normalized abundances of universal single-copy genes confirmed that haloarchaea and Nanohaloarchaeota encompass 99% of microbial communities in the near-life-limiting conditions of the Western-Canyon Lakes. Danakil metagenome- and metagenome-assembled-genome-inferred proteomes, compared with those of freshwater, seawater and solar saltern ponds up to saturation (6-14-32% salinity), showed that Western-Canyon Lake archaea encode the most acidic proteomes ever observed (median protein isoelectric points ≤4.4). We identified previously undescribed haloarchaeal families as well as an Aenigmatarchaeota family and a bacterial phylum independently adapted to extreme halophily. Despite phylum-level diversity decreasing with increasing salinity-chaotropicity, and unlike in solar salterns, adapted archaea exceedingly diversified in Danakil ecosystems, challenging the notion of decreasing diversity under extreme conditions. Metabolic flexibility to utilize multiple energy and carbon resources generated by local hydrothermalism along feast-and-famine strategies seemingly shapes microbial diversity in these ecosystems near life limits.

Expanded phylogeny of extremely halophilic archaea shows multiple independent adaptations to hypersaline environments.

Extremely halophilic archaea (Haloarchaea, Nanohaloarchaeota, Methanonatronarchaeia and Halarchaeoplasmatales) thrive in saturating salt concentrations where they must maintain osmotic equilibrium with their environment. The evolutionary history of adaptations enabling salt tolerance remains poorly understood, in particular because the phylogeny of several lineages is conflicting. Here we present a resolved phylogeny of extremely halophilic archaea obtained using improved taxon sampling and state-of-the-art phylogenetic approaches designed to cope with the strong compositional biases of their proteomes. We describe two uncultured lineages, Afararchaeaceae and Asbonarchaeaceae, which break the long branches at the base of Haloarchaea and Nanohaloarchaeota, respectively. We obtained 13 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of these archaea from metagenomes of hypersaline aquatic systems of the Danakil Depression (Ethiopia). Our phylogenomic analyses including these taxa show that at least four independent adaptations to extreme halophily occurred during archaeal evolution. Gene-tree/species-tree reconciliation suggests that gene duplication and horizontal gene transfer played an important role in this process, for example, by spreading key genes (such as those encoding potassium transporters) across extremely halophilic lineages.

Draft genome sequence of Bacillus sp. strain X and Salarachaeum sp. strain III isolated from Lake Karum, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia.

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of strains of Bacillus and Salarachaeum that were isolated from hypersaline water samples collected from Lake Karum, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia. The sequences pave the way for more targeted studies into the potential biological activities and secondary metabolite synthesis of these organisms.

Shotgun Metagenomics-Guided Prediction Reveals the Metal Tolerance and Antibiotic Resistance of Microbes in Poly-Extreme Environments in the Danakil Depression, Afar Region.

The occurrence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in environmental microorganisms, particularly in poly-extremophilic bacteria, remain underexplored and have received limited attention. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of ARGs and metal resistance genes (MRGs) in shotgun metagenome sequences obtained from water and salt crust samples collected from Lake Afdera and the Assale salt plain in the Danakil Depression, northern Ethiopia. Potential ARGs were characterized by the comprehensive antibiotic research database (CARD), while MRGs were identified by using BacMetScan V.1.0. A total of 81 ARGs and 39 MRGs were identified at the sampling sites. We found a copA resistance gene for copper and the β-lactam encoding resistance genes were the most abundant the MRG and ARG in the study area. The abundance of MRGs is positively correlated with mercury (Hg) concentration, highlighting the importance of Hg in the selection of MRGs. Significant correlations also exist between heavy metals, Zn and Cd, and ARGs, which suggests that MRGs and ARGs can be co-selected in the environment contaminated by heavy metals. A network analysis revealed that MRGs formed a complex network with ARGs, primarily associated with β-lactams, aminoglycosides, and tetracyclines. This suggests potential co-selection mechanisms, posing concerns for both public health and ecological balance.

Magmatic evolution during proto-oceanic rifting at Alu, Dalafilla and Borale Volcanoes (Afar) determined by trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry

Continental rifting and associated magmatism can eventually result in the formation of new ocean basins. However, the characteristics of magmatism in the latest stages of rifting are poorly understood. The Erta-Ale volcanic segment (EAVS) in the Danakil Depression of Afar, Ethiopia, provides a unique natural laboratory in which to investigate how magma generation evolves during the shift from continental rifting to oceanic spreading. Here we present new trace element data combined with Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios for three volcanoes, Alu, Dalafilla and Borale, in the north of the EAVS. These data shed light on the changes in melt production and storage that occur at this late stage in the rifting cycle. Elevated Ce/Pb and ΔNb (33–48, 0.25–0.47 respectively) of the basalts, alongside Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry indicate the presence of a HIMU component, supplied by the Afar plume, together with contamination by the crust. Melting conditions, estimated using the trace element ratios, Smn/Ybn, Dyn/Ybn and Cen/Smn, indicate that magmas were primarily derived from spinel lherzolite (85–90%) with minor garnet lherzolite (10–15%) with a melt fraction of ~4%. Melt-mantle equilibrium depths are estimated to be on the order of 64 to 83 km, shallower than that previously inferred within Afar. We suggest that this is likely a result of the increased plate thinning beneath the EAVS compared to other parts of Afar. Basaltic volcanics are found to exhibit heterogeneous Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions whilst more evolved rocks (i.e., SiO2 ≥52 wt%) exhibit consistent radiogenic compositions. This indicates that homogenisation of all melt compositions occurs prior to or during melt differentiation, with the latter process occurring rapidly in the upper crust with minimal crustal contamination. Overall whilst the Afar plume appears to be the dominant mantle component in the volcanic rocks, the melt characteristics and magmatic storage conditions beneath the EAVS shows variability that is likely controlled by a dynamic interplay between rifting and mantle processes.

The waterbodies of the halo-volcanic Dallol complex: earth analogs to guide us, where to look for life in the universe.

Microbes are the Earth life forms that have the highest degree of adaptability to survive, live, or even proliferate in very hostile environments. It is even stated that microbes can cope with any extreme physico-chemical condition and are, therefore, omnipresent all over the Earth: on all the continents, inside its crust and in all its waterbodies. However, our study suggests that there exists areas and even water rich environments on Earth where no life is possible. To support the fact that water rich environments can be lifeless, we performed an extensive survey of 10 different hyper extreme waterbodies of the halo-volcanic Dallol complex (Danakil depression, Ethiopia, Horn of Africa). In our study, we combined physico-chemical analyses, mineralogical investigations, XRD and SEM-EDX analyses, ATP measurements, 16S rDNA microbial community determinations, and microbial culturing techniques. According to our findings, we suggest that the individual physico-chemical parameters, water activity, and kosmo-chaotropicity, are the two most important factors that determine whether an environment is lifeless or capable of hosting specific extreme lifeforms. Besides, waterbodies that contained saturated levels of sodium chloride but at the same time possessed extreme low pH values, appeared to be poly-extreme environments in which no life could be detected. However, we clearly discovered a low diversity microbial community in waterbodies that were fully saturated with sodium chloride and only mildly acidic. Our results can be beneficial to more precisely classify whole or certain areas of planetary bodies, including water rich environments, as either potentially habitable or factual uninhabitable environments.

Quantitative Analysis of Faulting in the Danakil Depression Rift of Afar: The Importance of Faulting in the Final Stages of Magma‐Rich Rifting

AbstractMagmatic intrusion and faulting both accommodate crustal extension in magma‐rich rifts. However, quantitative constraints on the contribution of faulting to total extension and along‐rift variations of faulting during the final stages of break‐up are lacking. We targeted the Danakil Depression (Afar, Ethiopia) to conduct a quantitative, high‐resolution study of fault activity and interaction in a magma‐rich rift near break‐up. Quantitative analysis of >500 rift axis faults, identified using remote sensing data (satellite imagery, DEMs), shows an increase in fault density, length and connectivity away from magmatic segments. Kinematic and earthquake focal mechanism data demonstrate a transition from transtensional opening in the northern and central sub‐regions of the rift to oblique opening in the southern Giulietti Plain and Tat‐Ali sub‐regions. Oblique opening is attributed to the along‐axis step between the Erta‐Ale and Harak sub‐regions. Integration of seismic reflection and borehole data with the mapped faults shows that extension is primarily accommodated by magmatism within the rift center, with faulting more significant toward the ends of the rift. ∼30% of crustal extension is accommodated by axial faulting in areas of low magmatism, highlighting the importance of faulting even in the final stages of magma‐rich rifting. Comparing our findings with spreading ridge morphology and structure, relevant due to the rift maturity and extensive magmatism, we conclude that the Danakil Depression is in a transitional stage between continental rifting and seafloor spreading. Spatial changes in the importance of faulting and magmatism in accommodating extension, alongside rift morphology, resemble the relationships observed along spreading ridges.

The latest Early Pleistocene hippopotami from the human-bearing locality of Buia (Eritrea)

Hippopotamids represent a common element within the large mammal assemblages in the Pleistocene of Africa. However, fossil hippopotamus taxonomy, distribution and relationships are highly controversial and their occurrences in East Africa need to be deeply revised. In this framework, the hippopotamid material from the human-bearing locality of Buia (Eritrea) is here re-analysed and described in order to clarify the presence of small- and large-sized species and to provide new data on the chronological and geographic distribution of the recognised taxa. Morphological and morphometric analyses reveal the presence of Hippopotamus gorgops and aff. Hippopotamus karumensis within the fossil assemblages of the Danakil Depression and provide new characters for taxonomic discrimination between the two taxa. The record from Buia represents the northernmost and one of the youngest occurrence of aff. H. karumensis in Africa, suggesting a careful revision of the Northern African and Levantine Hippopotamidae records. Furthermore, 3D models of key specimens from Buia are provided for the first time, representing an important step in digitalization of fossil Eastern African collection and specimens.

Comparative study of seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average and Holt–Winters modeling for forecasting monthly ground-level ozone

In this study, ground-level ozone is modeled using Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) and additive Holt–Winters models over the North-Western cluster of Ethiopia using four homogeneous series of more than 13 years of data from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. We split the dataset into training and testing sets. We used the data during the period 2007–2019 for model formulation and parameter estimation and the one year data in 2020 to test model forecasts. More than 60 SARIMA models have been generated for the time series. The goodness of fit of these models has been assessed using the Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion. After rigorous assessment, the seasonal ARIMA(2,0,4)(1,1,2)[12], ARIMA(3,1,0)(2,0,0)[12], ARIMA(0,1,2)(0,0,2)[12], and ARIMA(2,0,0)(2,1,0)[12] models have been identified as best predictive models for Addis Ababa, Ras Dashen, Danakil Depression, and Bahir Dar, respectively. We applied model evaluation metrics, such as root mean square error, mean absolute error, and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) to compare the accuracy between seasonal ARIMA and Holt–Winters models. Among the SARIMA and Holt–Winters models, our findings show that the best model for forecasting surface-level ozone is ARIMA(2,0,4)(1,1,2)[12] and ARIMA(3,1,0)(2,0,0)[12] for Addis Ababa and Ras Dashen stations, respectively. However, for Danakil Depression and Bahir Dar stations, the Holt–Winters model with α = 0.346, β = 0.023, γ = 0.36 and α = 0.302, β = 0.019, γ = 0.266, respectively, are found to be best models than the SARIMA. Moreover, the maximum MAPE were found to be less than 7.86% in the study, and hence all the forecasts are acceptable.

Pleistocene aragonite crust diagenesis mimics microbialite fabrics (Danakil Depression, Ethiopia)

Fibrous aragonite crusts occur in two consecutive Pleistocene successions in the Danakil Depression (Afar, Ethiopia). Lateral transitions between pristine and altered fibrous aragonite crusts document changes in texture associated with diagenesis. Crusts formed as essentially abiotic seafloor precipitates at the transition from marine to evaporitic conditions. Diagenesis started with the dissolution of aragonite fans at the interface between single fans in non-laminated crusts and along lamination planes in isopachous, irregular, or crudely laminated crusts. Incomplete dissolution resulted in the development of secondary porosity within a matrix of undissolved aragonite fibers. Subsequently, the porosity was filled with calcite that systematically encased remaining aragonite crystals. This was followed by the dissolution of remnant aragonite fibers, producing a network of elongated inter- and intracrystalline pores that were eventually filled with low-Mg calcite. The stepwise substitution of fibrous aragonite by low-Mg calcite resulted in sparry, sparry-cloudy, sparry-micritic (including clotted micrite), and peloidal textures, which obscure the fibrous nature of the original deposits. Stable C- and O-isotope compositions suggest that early diagenesis was driven by meteoric and evaporative fluids. These observations unequivocally demonstrate destructive diagenesis, resulting in secondary textures, which mimic micritic and grumous (peloidal and clotted) textures associated with sparry microfabrics.This suggests that these textures, classically interpreted as primary microbial precipitates and used as evidence of biogenicity in ancient microbialites, might be diagenetic products in some cases, even though at some stage, microbial processes and/or degradation of organic matter could have been involved in the diagenetic process.

Aïda Muluneh's Homebound: A Journey in Photography & Addis Foto Fest: Nine Years Survey

Aïda Muluneh's Homebound: A Journey in Photography & Addis Foto Fest: Nine Years Survey

Prediction of Genes That Function in Methanogenesis and CO2 Pathways in Extremophiles.

Gaet’ale (GAL) and Mud’ara (MUP) are two hypersaline ponds located in the Danakil Depression recharged by underground water from the surrounding highlands. These two ponds have different pH, salinity, and show variation in the concentration of many ionic components. Metagenomic analysis concludes that GAL is dominated by bacteria as in the case of the other hypersaline and acidic ponds in the Danakil Depression. However, Archaea dominated the ponds of MUP. In the current study, the application of SEED and KEGG helped to map the ordered steps of specific enzyme catalyzed reaction in converting CO2 into cell products. We predict that highly efficient and light-independent carbon fixation involving phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase takes place in MUP. On the contrary, genes encoding enzymes involved in hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis appeared solely in ponds of GAL, implying the biological source of the hazardous methane gas in that environment. Based on the investigation of the sources of the genes of interest, it is clear that cooperative interactions between members of the two communities and syntrophic metabolism is the main strategy adapted to utilize inorganic carbon as a carbon source in both MUP and GAL. This insight can be used to design biotechnological applications of microbial communities in production of methane biogas or to minimize CO2 emissions.

Archaeal overdominance close to life-limiting conditions in geothermally influenced hypersaline lakes at the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia.

The Dallol protovolcanic area on the Danakil Depression (Afar region, Ethiopia) exhibits unique hydrothermal manifestations in hypersaline context, yielding varied polyextreme physicochemical conditions. Previous studies identified a wide archaeal diversity in less extreme brines but failed to identify microorganisms thriving in either high-chaotropicity, low-water-activity brines or hyperacidic-hypersaline Na-Fe-rich brines. Recently, we accessed several small lakes under intense degassing activity adjacent to the Round Mountain, west to the Dallol dome [Western Canyon Lakes (WCL); WCL1-5]. They exhibited intermediate parameter combinations (pH~ 5, 34%-41% (weight/volume) NaCl-dominated salts with relatively high levels of chaotropic Mg-Ca salts) that should allow to better constrain life limits. These lakes were overwhelmingly dominated by Archaea, encompassing up to 99% of prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences in metabarcoding studies. The majority belonged to Halobacteriota and Nanohaloarchaeota, the latter representing up to half of prokaryotic sequences. Optical and epifluorescence microscopy showed active cells in natural samples and diverse morphotypes in enrichment cultures. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed tiny cells (200-300 nm diameter) epibiotically associated with somewhat larger cells (0.6-1μm) but also the presence of silica-dominated precipitates of similar size and shape, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing microbes from mineral biomorphs in this kind of low-biomass systems.

Novel Bathymetry of Lake Afdera Reveals Fault Structures and Volcano-Tectonic Features of an Incipient Transform Zone (Afar, Ethiopia)

Lake Afdera is a hypersaline endorheic lake situated at 112 m below sea-level in the Danakil Depression. The Danakil Depression is located in the northern part of the Ethiopian Afar and features an advanced stage of continental rifting. The remoteness and inhospitable environment explain the limited scientific research and knowledge about this lake. Bathymetric data were acquired during 2 weeks expeditions in January/February 2016 and 2017 using an easily deployable echosounder system mounted on an inflatable motorized boat. This study presents the first complete bathymetric map of the lake Afdera. Bathymetric results show that the lake has an average depth of 20.9 m and a total volume of 2.4 km3. The maximum measured depth is 80 m, making Lake Afdera the deepest known lake in Afar and the lowest elevation of the Danakil Depression. Comparison with historical reports shows that the lake level did not fluctuate significantly during the last 50 years. Two distinct tectonic basins to the north and the south are recognized. Faults of different orientations control the morphology of the northern basin. In contrast, the southern basin is affected by volcano-tectonic processes, unveiling a large submerged caldera. Comparison between the orientation of faults throughout the lake with the regional fault pattern indicates that the lake is part of two transfer zones: the major Alayta–Afdera Transfer Zone and the smaller Erta Ale–Tat’Ali Transfer Zone. The interaction between these Transfer Zones and the rift axis forms the equivalent of a developing nodal basin which explains the lake’s position as the deepest point of the depression. This study provides evidence for the development of an incipient transform fault on the floor of the Afar depression.

Dome dunes: Distribution and morphology

Dome dunes are mounds of sand that generally lack external slipfaces. There are two main types. Mini-domes are typically just a few metres in height and some tens of metres across. Some of these may either be proto- or degraded barchans and the two forms occur in close proximity. Large areas of mini-domes occur in Mauritania, the Libyan Desert of southern Egypt, the Danakil Depression of east Africa, and the Qaidam Basin of China. Mega-domes are tens of metres high and hundreds of metres in width. In Africa, they are found in the Grand Erg Occidental, the Grand Erg Oriental, the Murzuk and Ubari sandseas of Libya, the Qattara Depression of Egypt, and the Red Sea Province of Sudan. In Asia they occur in the Nefud of Saudi Arabia, the Rub’ al Khali, and the Taklimakan and Wulanbuhe Deserts of China. They have a range of morphologies, from almost perfectly circular through to elongated, triangular and barchanoid types. Morphometric analysis using Google Earth Pro demonstrates that the mean densities of mega-domes (per 100 km2) are 32.8, their heights average 66.1 m, and their widths average 1459 m.

In silico determination of nitrogen metabolism in microbes from extreme conditions using metagenomics.

The acid ponds of the Danakil Depression in northern Ethiopia are polyextreme environments that exceed the normal physicochemical limits of pH, salinity, ion content, and temperature. We tested for the occurrence of DNA-based life in this environment using Metagenomic Shotgun DNA sequencing approaches. The obtained sequences were examined by the bioinformatic tools MetaSpades, DIAMOND and MEGAN 6-CE, and we were able to bin more than 90% of the metagenomics contigs of Dallol and Black Water to the Bacteria domain, and to the Proteobacteria phylum. Predictions of gene function based on SEED disclosed the presence of different nutrient cycles in the acid ponds. For this study, we focused on partial or completely sequenced genes involved in nitrogen metabolism. The KEGG nitrogen metabolism pathway mapping results for both acid ponds showed that all the predicted genes are involved directly or indirectly in the assimilation of ammonia and no dissimilation or nitrification process was identified. Furthermore, the deduced nitrogen fixation in the two acid ponds based on SEED classification indicated the presence of different sets of nitrogen fixing (nif) genes for biosynthesis and maturation of nitrogenase. Based on the in silico analysis, the predicted proteins involved in nitrogen fixation, especially the cysteine desulfurase and [4Fe-4S] ferredoxin, from both acid ponds are unique with less than 80% sequence similarity to the next closest protein sequence. Considering the extremity of the environmental conditions of the two acid ponds in the Danakil depression, this metagenomics dataset can add to the study of unique gene functions in nitrogen metabolism that enable thriving biocommunities in hypersaline and highly acidic conditions.

Evolution of the Alu-Dalafilla and Borale volcanoes, Afar, Ethiopia

The Danakil depression marks a progressive change from continental rifting in Afar to seafloor spreading further north in the Red Sea. Extension and volcanism in this incipient spreading centre is localised to the ~70-km-long, 20-km-wide active Erta Ale volcanic segment. Here, we combine remote sensing and major element geochemical analysis to determine the structure and composition of three volcanoes on the Erta Ale Volcanic Segment: the Alu dome, the Dalafilla stratovolcano and the Borale stratovolcano. We investigate the evolution and compositional variation within and between these volcanic complexes. Our results show that most flows are sourced from scoria cones and fissures, representing in total 15 phases of volcanism that occurred within four major eruptive stages, most likely occurring in the last 80 thousand years (kyr). The first stage represents large-scale fissure volcanism, comprising submarine basaltic phases. Stage two involves basaltic fissure volcanism around Alu. The third stage is dominated by trachy-andesite to rhyolitic volcanism from the volcanic edifices of Alu, Dalafilla and Borale and the fourth by a resumption of small-scale basaltic/trachybasalt fissure systems. Geochemical modelling indicates a paucity of crustal assimilation and mixing within the sub-volcanic magmatic system. Spatial analysis of volcanic cones and fissures within the area indicate the presence of a cone sheet and ring faults. The fissures are likely fed by sills connecting the magma source with the volcanic edifices of Alu and Borale. Our results reveal the cyclic nature of both eruption style and composition of major volcanic complexes in rift environments, prior to the onset of seafloor spreading.

Geoheritage and Resilience of Dallol and the Northern Danakil Depression in Ethiopia

The Danakil Depression, located in the northern segment of the Afar rift, is a world-class example of active rifting and the birth of a new ocean. The unique, yet only partially interpreted geothermal system of Dallol in northern Danakil is currently receiving renewed attention by researchers and visitors despite its extreme climate since the recent improvements of infrastructure and the stabilisation of Ethio-Eritrean political relations. Previous studies focused on the general geological description, the economic exploitation of potash reserves and interpretation of the complex hydrothermal processes. Continuing monitoring of geothermal activity has not yet been carried out, and the valorisation of local geoheritage has not accompanied the increased interest of tourists. Here, we present a three-step study in order to demonstrate the unique geological environment and international geoheritage significance of Dallol and Danakil. A three-year-long remote sensing campaign has been done to provide information on improving the resilience of visitors through interpreted, monthly hazard maps, and on following up the changes of geothermal activity. Over the same time, the first geoheritage assessment of the region for 13 geosites was carried out along with a comparative analysis of three quantitative methods (to evaluate the scientific importance and the geotouristic development potential of the area). Finally, with the input of the assessment, a preliminary geoheritage management plan was created for practical consideration by stakeholders toward a geoconservation and geotourism development, as well as a resilience system of this peculiar area.

Characterization of brines and evaporite deposits for their lithium contents in the northern part of the Danakil Depression and in some selected areas of the Main Ethiopian Rift lakes

Abstrat Lithium is a metal with increasing demand on the global market mainly for its application in lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles. Ethiopia has potential for lithium resources related to pegmatites and to rift-bound brine deposits. The current research focused on known brine lakes and hot springs in the Danakil Depression and the Main Ethiopian Rift. Lithium contents in water samples from rift-bound lakes like Abijata, Shala, Chamo, Abaya, and Chew Bahir show low concentrations consistent with background values for surface waters. Lithium concentrations are elevated in brine lakes, brine ponds, and hot springs of the Danakil Depression. Hot springs in the Dallol contain up to 20 ppm lithium. Lithium enrichment was also noted in residual brines from multi-stage solar evaporation pans during soda-ash production. However, brines produced during precipitation of trona and halite contain about 0.009 ppm lithium, which is well below economically extractable concentrations. Core samples from the Danakil Depression potash exploration reported up to 20–40 ppm in the carnallite and bischofite layers of the evaporite sequence. At least three potential sources for lithium are noted in the Danakil Depression. For example, lithium is leached and mobilized during water rock interactions by deeply circulating and cycling hot meteoric and possibly juvenile geothermal fluids related to the intense volcano-tectonic processes. The current hydrological condition also suggest the possibility of lithium mobilization during surface run off from the basement and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks exposed along the western rift margin of the Danakil Depression. Moreover, variable lithium contents in the different layers of the evaporite sequence suggests, that lithium originated from sea water evaporation before the Danakil Depression became a closed basin. The current research strongly indicates that more detailed investigation is required to evaluate the lithium resources as a primary product and/or as a secondary byproduct during potash mining.