The world's largest microbialites in Lake Van will be investigated with an international project

The largest of the microbialites resembling coral reefs is found in Lake Van. The formation processes and origins of these structures, which reach approximately 40 meters in size, will be investigated within the scope of the international cooperation project supported by Van YYU Scientific Research Projects Coordination.

The project is carried out with the participation of a total of 5 universities, including Van YYÜ, Pamukkale University and one each from Italy, Poland and China. The study will also examine nanospheres, which are stated to be one of the basic elements in the formation of microbialites. Advanced imaging and chemical analysis methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (RTEM), micro-Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) will be applied on the samples to be taken.

40-50 SAMPLES WILL BE TAKEN

Within the scope of the project, field studies will be carried out on September 28, off Ahlat and Adilcevaz of Lake Van, where microbialites are densely seen, and in the Altınsaç region of Gevaş. After determining the sampling points during field studies, approximately 40-50 samples will be taken. Samples will be taken by sailing out to the lake by boat and diving. In order to ensure that the samples taken do not lose their properties and activities, the samples will be hand-delivered to Italy by the researchers. Making statements about the project, Van YYÜ Engineering Faculty, Geological Engineering Department faculty member Assoc. Dr. Çetin Yeşilova stated that the scientists involved in the project had previously carried out studies in Lake Salda and they were also included in this team.

'WE WILL MAKE INFERENCES ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF VAN LAKE'

Assoc. Dr. Yeşilova stated that they aim to reveal the origin of the nanospheres in microbialites and said, "In the studies carried out, microbialites up to 40 meters in length are found in Lake Van. And the microbialites in Lake Van are among the largest and most widespread samples in the world. We want to make inferences about their formation conditions, formation conditions and the geological evolution of Lake Van."

'WE AIM TO ENLIGHTEN ITS ORIGINS'

Assoc. Dr. Çetin Yeşilova stated that the results to be obtained will contribute not only to the formation of microbialites, but also to the evaluations of the geological evolution of Lake Van, and said, "We are doing this study because the origin of these microbialites has not been fully clarified yet, how they are formed and what contributes to their formation. We are thinking of getting the answer to how these microbialites are formed and why they are formed."