chott

Chott is a North African term for a large salt lake or salt flat formed in an endorheic desert basin. In arid regions, rain and surface runoff flow into a low-lying depression with no outlet to the sea. Evaporation concentrates dissolved minerals, leaving a crust of salt that can cover broad flat areas. When rainfall is sufficient, temporary lakes may fill the basin, sometimes supporting simple aquatic life; during dry periods the area reverts to a salt-encrusted playa.

Chotts are characteristic of the Sahara region, notably in Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. The most famous example is Chott el Djerid in Tunisia, a shallow, irregular depression that can fill with water in wet years and dry out during droughts. Chotts vary in size and salinity; some are hypersaline, while others are brackish. The surface often exhibits polygonal salt crusts and, in dry times, may feature salt dunes or mirages on hot days.

Human interaction with chotts has included salt extraction and their use as landmarks or desert landscapes in media and tourism. Ecologically, they support episodic wetlands and can attract migratory birds during periods of rainfall. As environmental conditions shift with climate patterns, the extent and salinity of chotts can change accordingly, influencing local hydrology and dust generation.