Microbialites emerged at the points where the recession occurred with the decrease of precipitation in Lake Van.
Microbialites emerged at the points where the recession occurred with the decrease of precipitation in Lake Van. Adilcevaz Culture, Art and Tourism Association President Cumali Birol stated that mycorobialites should be taken under protection.
The world’s largest soda lake and Turkey’s largest lake, Van Lake, has experienced a noticeable withdrawal with the decrease in precipitation. Microbialites, which were previously viewed by divers underwater, were also revealed in these regions with the withdrawal. Nature photographers photographed the microbialites formed as a result of the combination of soda water and carbohydrates from Lake Van.
Necati Gürsoy, Bitlis Adilcevaz District Mayor, spoke to DHA and stated that he has held various positions in the region for nearly 40 years, and that there are occasional elevations in Lake Van, but this is the first time he has seen such a retreat. Gürsoy said, “We are experiencing the effects of global warming. Our waters are getting less and less and our agricultural lands are dehydrated. The drilling waters, which were 100-150 meters before, have now decreased to 300 meters. For this, we need to use water very well. Turkey is already a poor country in terms of water. Hopefully, we will have the old rains and snow again as soon as possible. Although we are in the middle of December, we are almost in the spring season. Of course, this is not a good situation for us. I wish there was 1 meter of snow here. I have never seen Lake Van taken this much. There were times when we saw Lake Van 3-4 meters higher,” he said.
‘It should be protected by signing process’
Adilcevaz Culture, Art and Tourism Association President Cumali Birol said that the microbialites that occur at many points on the Adilcevaz shoreline of the lake should be protected. Birol stated that a large number of microbialites that have not completed their formation in the region have emerged on the coastline and said, “As our Association, Adilcevaz District Governorate and Municipality, we will try to ensure the protection of the region by signing here. By examining the works we have done on the shore, we have seen how obvious the fresh water outflows are. Microbialites are formed in freshwater outlets. Microbialites emerged with the serious recession of Lake Van. We can see this everywhere that has a coast to Lake Van. However, we see the majority of this in Adilcevaz due to the high amount of fresh water outflows. As an association, we are making an effort to protect the region,” he said.
Özkan Olcay, President of Ahlat Photographers Association, said, “We shoot in the Van Lake basin from time to time. Today, we came to the beaches of Adilcevaz together with our association member friend. Here, we photographed the microbialites that emerged as a result of the withdrawal of Lake Van. There is a drought in the lake, but very beautiful images have emerged. Microbialites produced wonderful images. Together with our photographer friend, we recorded these images and added them to our archives.”
Translator: Mehmet Akif Coşkun
Serhat News
(YK)
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