Lake Van microbiolite evolution to be studied by international team

An international scientific collaboration is launching a project to investigate the geological evolution and origins of microbiolites in Lake Van, Turkey. These structures, which resemble coral reefs, can reach up to 40 meters in size.

The research is led by Van Yüzüncü Yıl University with support from its Scientific Research Projects Coordination office. The project involves a partnership between five universities: Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Pamukkale University, the University of Calabria in Italy, the University of Warsaw in Poland, and a university from China.

A primary focus of the study is to examine carbonate nanospheres within the biofilms of these microbiolites to understand their formation processes. Fieldwork is scheduled to begin on September 28 in the Ahlat, Adilcevaz, and Gevaş regions of the lake. Researchers plan to collect approximately 40 to 50 samples via diving. To preserve the biological and chemical integrity of the specimens, they will be transported quickly to laboratories in Italy, Poland, and China for advanced imaging and chemical analysis using methods such as electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.