New types of microbialites have been discovered at the bottom of Turkey's Lake Van. Microbialites are rock-like structures, formed by microbial communities present in mineral-saturated water bodies. The newly discovered microbialites in the lake are different in structure and shape from previous findings. 

Lake Van is the largest lake in eastern Turkey. The lake water is highly alkaline and rich in sodium carbonate and other salts. In 1991, the world's largest microbialites, with a height of 40 meters, were found in the lake.

(All photos via CFP)

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