Sheep & Shepard x 2, Edge of Lake Van, Eastern Turkey
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey, located in the far east of the country in Van district. It is a saline and soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. Lake Van is one of the world's largest endorheic lakes (having no outlet). The original outlet from the basin was blocked by an ancient volcanic eruption.
The only fish known to live in the brackish water of Lake Van is Chalcalburnus tarichi (the Pearl Mullet), related to chub and dace, which is caught during the spring floods. In May and June, these fish migrate from the lake to less alkaline water, spawning either near the mouths of the rivers feeding the lake or in the rivers themselves. After the spawning season, they return to the lake.
Numerous species of phytoplankton have been recorded in the lake including flagellates, diatoms, bacteria, cyanobacteria, green algae and brown algae. In 1991, researchers reported the discovery of 40 m (130 ft) tall microbialites in Lake Van. These are solid towers on the lake bed created by mats of coccoid cyanobacteria (Pleurocapsa group) that create aragonite in combination with calcite precipitating out of the lake water.
Sheep & Shepard x 2, Edge of Lake Van, Eastern Turkey
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey, located in the far east of the country in Van district. It is a saline and soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. Lake Van is one of the world's largest endorheic lakes (having no outlet). The original outlet from the basin was blocked by an ancient volcanic eruption.
The only fish known to live in the brackish water of Lake Van is Chalcalburnus tarichi (the Pearl Mullet), related to chub and dace, which is caught during the spring floods. In May and June, these fish migrate from the lake to less alkaline water, spawning either near the mouths of the rivers feeding the lake or in the rivers themselves. After the spawning season, they return to the lake.
Numerous species of phytoplankton have been recorded in the lake including flagellates, diatoms, bacteria, cyanobacteria, green algae and brown algae. In 1991, researchers reported the discovery of 40 m (130 ft) tall microbialites in Lake Van. These are solid towers on the lake bed created by mats of coccoid cyanobacteria (Pleurocapsa group) that create aragonite in combination with calcite precipitating out of the lake water.