1. ORIGIN, MINERALOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF TERRA ROSSA FORMATIONS IN THE TAURIDES BELT, SOUTHERN TURKEY.
- Author
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CENGIZ, Oya, KUSCU, Mustafa, and KADIR, Selahattin
- Subjects
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TERRA rossa , *CARBONATES , *MINERALS , *MAGMATISM - Abstract
Terra rossa deposits, which are the most common soil type develop on karstic terrains in Mediterranean region, are located in the Anamasdaglari region ol Taurides Belt, Southern Turkey. The terra rossa soils are observed at two locations in Yenisarbademli- Isparta. The terra rossa is a reddish clayey and silty-clay-sized material, which is commonly observed as topsoil in karstic depressions and filling in fractures which are developed within carbonate rocks of the Cretaceous-Lower Paleocene Anamasdag formation. It is also found between bedding surfaces of limestone, dolomitic limestone and dolomite. Their thickness is approximately 3 m, with some variations. The terra rossa soil is composed of kaolinite, illite, chlorite, smectite, feldspar, quartz, hematite, calcite, dolomite, amphibole, amorphous material, opal-CT, and tridymite. The major oxide contents of terra rossa have average values of SiO2 48.92%, Al2O3 22.40%, Fe2O3 9.07%, CaO 0.65%, MgO 1.07%, Na2O 0.61%, K2O 2.59%, TiO2 1.16%, P2O5 0.22%, and MnO 0.17%. The major oxide contents for both regions' terra rossa have similar properties. The average values of trace and rare earth elements for the studied terra rossa are as follows: As 19.7 ppm, Ba 234 ppm, Sr 38.4 ppm, Ni 86.5 ppm, Co 25.4 ppm, Cr 81.1 ppm, Pb 45.3 ppm, Zn 101 ppm, Cu 35.9 ppm, Mo 5.7 ppm, Sc 9.9 ppm, Th 27.6 ppm, V 139.5 ppm, La 98.7 ppm, and Ce 196.3 ppm. The major oxide contents of terra rossa show insignificant variations towards depth. Trace element concentrations of terra rossa show significant variations for some elements. Whereas the values of Ba, Sr, Cu, Pb, and Co for current terra rossa increase towards deeper, the contents of Zn, As, Sb, Cd, Ni, Mo, V, Sn, and Cr of the terra rossa soil decrease towards deeper. The studied terra rossa is polygenetic relict soil formed under the Mediterranean climate conditions. Its parent material and origin can be formed from dissolution of the Anamasdag carbonate bedrocks. In addition, due to the presence of feldspar, chlorite and amphibole and the abundance of Al, K, As, Ni, and V, the terra rossa is interpreted to have developed in result of transporting of elements and ions, which are dissolved from the clastic sedimentary, metamorphic and magmatic rocks in the surrounding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012