In April 2011, during the fourth fieldwork campaign at Lake Iznik (east of the Marmara Sea/Turkey) surface sediment was sampled and water quality of the lake measured.

It was the aim of these analyses to improve our understanding of the microcrustacean (Cladocera and Ostracoda) population dynamics and ecology, and the seasonal variability of sedimentation and hydrology. Furthermore, shallow seismic profiles were realizied with the help of our colleagues from the Eastern Mediterranean Centre for Oceanography and Limnology (EMCOL). The whole expedition was a great success.

Over the coming months, collected samples will be treated and analyzed at the University of Cologne to add another piece of information to our project which is focused on the reconstruction of climatic and environmental history of the Marmara region and the enhancement of our understanding of environmental controlling factors for human migration from Anatolia to the Balkan Peninsula.