Discovering the Floor of Lake Van

Lake Van ranks fourth in the world and first in Turkey in terms of surface area. It is also the largest soda lake globally, with a surface area of 3,614 km² and a volume of 607 km³. The lake, which is 600,000 years old, has a pH of 9.8. Due to its vast size, locals often refer to it as the "sea" rather than the "lake." Only a few organisms inhabit the saline-soda waters of Lake Van. Among them, the endemic pearl mullet is the most well-known. A limited number of plankton species also live in the lake.

Another fascinating feature of the lake is its large formations resembling coral reefs, called "microbialites." These rock-like structures are formed by photosynthesizing cyanobacteria and certain microalgae that precipitate calcium carbonate from the surrounding water. While microbialites were once widespread on Earth millions of years ago, they are now found in only a few locations. The microbialites in Lake Van are the largest in the world, ranging in size from 30 cm to 18 meters and located at depths of 1.5 to 22 meters. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı and his team from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University have documented water discharge from the microbialites, a phenomenon previously only theoretically known.

In 2018, a new fish species measuring 5 cm in length was discovered living on a microbialite in Lake Van. Named "Lake Van Small Coral Fish," this species was first identified by the Van Provincial Gendarmerie Command Underwater Teams.

Other notable discoveries include a Russian shipwreck and submerged cities on the lake floor. Lake Van has also been impacted by global warming and a reduction in its surface and groundwater inflows. Recent years have seen significant water receding, revealing microbialites and underground cities.

In a project under my supervision, we are studying the effects of global warming on Lake Van, with ongoing research as of this date. Additionally, the basin where Lake Van is located, the Nemrut Caldera, has the potential to become a UNESCO Geopark, with related efforts currently underway. My students are also conducting SWOT analyses regarding this potential.