Scientists have discovered a "dead sea" in the northern province of Shanxi that is comparable to the world famous Dead Sea in the rift valley between Palestine and Jordan.

The "dead sea" is actually the Salt Lake in Yuncheng in the southern part of Shanxi, which has been developed as a source of trace elements for more than 4,000 years.

Covering 132 square kilometers, the Salt Lake is one of the three famous sodium sulfate lakes in the world.

From various experiments, scientists have found that just like the Dead Sea, the Salt Lake contains all kinds of trace elements like magnesium, calcium, natrium, bromide and sulfur.

Experts say that people can lie on the surface of the lake due to its extraordinary buoyancy and the lake water is good for the skin. The black mud in the lake is effective in treating skin diseases, arthritis and the nervous system.

The Salt Lake is the country's largest inorganic salt production center and its resources have been used in making washing powder and chemical products.

( eastday.com April 25, 2002)