The Rio Negro's Amazons

Michel Braunstein · Issue 58, Jan/Feb 2011 · pp. 46–49

Products mentioned: Nikon D300, Nikon Fisheye 10.5, Nikkor 18-200VR, Aquatica A300, Ikelite DS125, Canon Powershot G10

The source of the Rio Negro (Black River) is in Colombia, continuing its journey to Brazil, through the rich Amazonian forest. Here it converges with the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon. From afar, the Rio Negro appears to be black but from a closer look, it is actually dark brown. This dark color is caused by humic acid which forms due to the incomplete decomposition of the phenol contained in the vegetation of the sandy clearings. Both rivers, the Rio Negro and the Solimões, meet south of Manaus, the capital of the Amazon. The Solimões source begins in Peru. Its waters are clearer (beige in color), and it is filled with sediment. The meeting point of the two rivers is a most impressive sight, as they do not blend together. They continue to run alongside one another for approximately forty kilometers (25 miles) before finally mixing. This can be compared to a glass filled partially with…