Lake District sheds light on Mars exploration

Following the studies carried out in Lake Salda in the Yeşilova district of Burdur, other rocks in Türkiye's Lakes Region will also become a scientific reference point in understanding the origin and formation processes of similar formations on Mars.

After the magnesium carbonates found in Lake Salda showed similarity to the carbonates discovered in the Jezero Crater on Mars, NASA and the scientific world focused their attention on this region. While NASA's "Perseverance" vehicle sent to Mars continues its studies, Istanbul Technical University (ITU) researchers examined Lake Salda and the rocks around it.

Within the scope of the scientific collaboration initiated between ITU Geomicrobiology-Biogeochemistry Laboratory and University College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), different rock types in the Lakes Region will be examined in detail.

Within the scope of the research, rock analyses will be carried out using emulators of the PanCam and Enfys devices on the Rosalind Franklin Mars rover. Geochemical and geological data to be obtained by remote sensing methods will shed light on the carbonate formation processes on Mars.

The Lake District is of great importance

Prof. Dr. Nurgül Balcı, faculty member and research group leader of the Department of Geological Engineering at the ITU Faculty of Mines, stated that not only Lake Salda but also other examples in the Lakes Region are of great importance. Emphasizing that magnesium carbonates are widespread on Mars, Balcı stated that these carbonates may have formed in different ways and that new data on the origin of carbonates on Mars will be obtained by examining the traces left by this diversity on rocks.

Balcı said that joint studies conducted with the Mars Laboratory at University College London will enable the comparison of spectral analysis data obtained on Mars with similar samples on Earth. New inferences will be made by comparing the data currently coming from the Rosalind Franklin probe on Mars with the analyses to be obtained from the Lake Region.

“Carbonates on Mars indicate the existence of large water masses in the past,” said Balcı, drawing attention to the importance of detailed studies to be carried out in similar environments on Earth in order to understand the cycle and effects of this water.

Balcı stated that Lake Salda opened a scientific door for such studies and that they discovered that the Lakes Region had much more geological and mineralogical similarities than they thought.

Balcı stated that these studies will not only contribute to planetary science and the search for life, but will also increase scientific interest among young people, and emphasized that the Salda Science Center, which is proposed to be established and is expected to become operational soon, will play an important role in raising awareness in this field.