Field trip to Oman

This has been the first field study of the Prometheus project (13-22nd February 2015). A one-week field work in the rocky desert of the Sultanate of Oman searching for alkaline water sources in remote parts. The trip was organized by my friend and colleague from the University of Bremen, Professor Wolfgang Bach. In this country of the Arabian Peninsula the rocks of the deep mantle of the planet emerge to the surface moved by forces derived from the pushes of the tectonic plates that converge there. The underground waters that are in contact with these rocks are altered creating waters that must be similar to those that formed the first ponds and lagoons of this planet when life had not yet appeared on it. That is why we are interested.

We visited several locations of alkaline springs investigating these serpentinization-driven waters and the related carbonate precipitation processes. More than 350 samples of water, fresh precipitates, travertine and rocks were collected to conduct a full geochemical and mineralogical analysis of the alkaline spring systems. In addition, we performed in situ measurement of alkalinity at a portable lab, and we recorded the values of pH, conductivity, and solid particles in solution on site. We also carried out the first trial of in situ crystallization by optical microscopy.

The trip has been hard but worthwhile. Seven days in the Omani rocky desert camping under the stars in hidden places of this beautiful country. Seven days without internet or mobile phone. Seven days getting up at five-thirty in the morning, preparing our breakfast quickly to dismantle the camp and leave on two SUVs crossing wadis and rocky deserts. Work until four-thirty in the afternoon, and then look for a place to mount our tents far away from any town before the sunset (it does in those latitudes between six and six-thirty). Re-fill water supplies and prepare dinner with the cans that we bought and discuss the achievements and problems of the day under the stars. The next morning, at five-thirty, the muezzin’s barely perceptible voice caressed our ears and encouraged us to come out of the sack. Well, sometimes, because sometimes we were so far from the nearest village that we could not hear anything. And once, we heard a junior muezzin that sang very badly.