Petrographic and Geochemicial Characteristics of the K?z?loren Formation (Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic) in the Akp?nar (Konya, Turkey) Area

This paper describes the occurrence of dolomite and the mechanism of dolomitization of the Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic K?z?loren Formation in the autochthonous Bolkardag? unit of the middle Taurus Mountains in south western Turkey. Dolomites were analyzed for geochemical, isotopic and crystallographic variation. Dolomites occur as a replacement of precursor carbonate and cement. The dolomite crystals range from <10 to ~1000 μm existing as both replacements and cements. Sr concentrations range between 84 and 156 ppm, and the molar Sr/Ca ratios of dolomitizing fluids are estimated to range between 0.0066 to 0.013 ratios. Dolomites are Ca-rich (with average CaCO3 and MgCO3 equal to 56.43 and 43.57 mol%, respectively) and they are non-stoichiometric, with an average Sr=116 ppm, Na=286 ppm, Mn=81 ppm, Fe=1329 ppm, and δ18O and δ13C ranges from –0.6‰ to –6.1‰ Pee Dee Belemnite [PDB], and +1.2 to +3.9‰ PDB. The North American Shale Composition [NASC]-normalized rare earth element (REE) values of the both limestone and dolomite sample groups show very similar REE patterns characterized by small positive Eu (mean=1.32 and mean=1.42, respectively) and slightly or considerably negative Ce (mean=0.61 and mean=0.72, respectively) anomalies and a clear depletion in all REE species. The K?z?loren Formation dolomites have been formed as early diagenetic from mixing zone fluids at the tidal-subtidal environment and at the late diagenetic from basinal brines at the shallow-deep burial depths.     

Petrographical and geochemical investigation of the Triassic marbles associated with Menderes massif metamorphics,Kavaklıdere,Muğla,SW Turkey

Vast marble deposits occur in a cover sequence of the Menderes Massif, SW Turkey. Four major marble deposits are recognized in Mu?la province based on the stratigraphic levels. These are Permo-Carboniferous aged black marbles (1), Triassic aged marbles (2), Upper Cretaceous aged marbles (3), and Paleocene aged pelagic marbles (4). This study deals with Triassic aged marbles of the southern part of the Menderes Massif. The Triassic marbles from SW Turkey consist of two big marble horizons in the Çayboyu (ÇM) and Kestanecik (KM) regions. The characteristic samples are collected from different stratigraphic levels in marble deposits in the ÇM and KM horizons. Mineralogical and major, trace, and rare earth element (REE) analyses of marble, limestone, and schist were conducted on these samples to reveal their petrographical and geochemical characteristics. The ÇM horizon is represented by calcitic marble layers. Nickel, cobalt, manganese, and iron elements filled in fractures, fissures, and intergranular spaces of calcite crystals and these elements give the pinky colour to the marble from the ÇM horizon. KM marbles were deformed, metamorphosed, and recrystallized under greenschist facies P–T conditions. As a result of the metasomatic reaction of magnesium and manganese rich fluids with marbles, dolomite, and manganese, minerals such as rhodochrosite and pyrolusite have crystallized along vein walls and layers in the KM horizon. Dolomitization was determined in KM marbles, whereas ÇM marbles show the character of limestone. MgO, MnO, Fe₂O₃, Ni, and Zn contents of marbles from the KM horizon are higher than those of ÇM marbles due to metasomatic reactions. The Sr content in white coloured marbles ranges between 11.20 ppm and 112.20 ppm and this concentration reaches up to 272.70 ppm due to metasomatic reactions and fluid intake. The REE content of Triassic marbles is independent of the abundance of carbonate and the REE enrichment observed due to syn-metamorphic fluid flow. The significant negative Eu anomaly in REE patterns indicates that the protoliths of Triassic marbles are carbonate rocks of sedimentary origin.     

Mineralogical and petrological features of the Cemilköy ignimbrite,Cappadocia, Turkey

The Cemilköy ignimbrite is one of the voluminous ignimbrite deposits in Cappadocia. The Cemilköy ignimbrite contains pumice and lithic clasts of volcanic and ophiolitic origin in an ash matrix. The unwelded Cemilköy ignimbrite is distinguished from other deposits in Cappadocia by flattened pumices, elongate vesicles and a slaty fabric. The mineral assemblage of the Cemilköy ignimbrite is plagioclase, biotite, quartz and oxides (magnetite and Ti-magnetite) and the matrix is glassy. Eutaxitic texture is dominant and all pumice clasts have a vitrophyric-porphyritic texture. The same textural properties were observed throughout the spatial distribution of Cemilköy ignimbrite. Microprobe studies reveal that plagioclase compositions range from albite through oligoclase-andesine. Estimated plagioclase-liquid temperatures (T) and pressures (P) are varying between 806 and 847?°C and 4.2–7.1 (kbar), and the H₂O content of the melt is estimated to have been 5?wt.% from the pumice clasts. Based on geochemical data, the Cemilköy ignimbrite is rhyolitic and calc-alkaline in character, and all pumice clasts are enriched in LIL and LRE elements relative to HFS elements. Negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies, ratios of Ba/Nb >28 (56–77), Ba/Ta ?450 (590–700) and Th/Yb vs. Ta/Yb are consistent with a subduction-related origin. According to the geochemical and mineralogical-petrographical data, the Cemilköy ignimbrite originated from partial melting of a mantle source which was enriched during previous subduction processes with variable degrees of assimilation fractional crystallization (AFC) through time and Cemilköy ignimbrite erupted from a crustal magma chamber at shallow to intermediate depth.     

Hydrochemical and isotopic properties of the Mahmutlu and Bağdatoğlu mineralized thermal springs, Kırşehir, Turkey

The present study identifies the hydrochemical and isotopic properties of the Mahmutlu and Ba?dato?lu mineralized thermal springs in K?r?ehir province, a geothermal field in central Anatolia, Turkey. Based on these properties, a hydrogeological regime is proposed in order to explain the Mahmutlu–Ba?dato?lu geothermal system. The relation between the concentrations of the environmental stable isotopes deuterium and oxygen-18 in the water is similar to the relationship in global meteoric water, indicating that the water is of meteoric origin. Evaluation of the geochemical characteristics of the water reveals that these two thermal springs belong to the same hydrogeological system. The hydrogeological system comprises a fractured limestone member of the Çevirme Formation and the Kervansaray Formation as reservoir rocks, and the Delice?rmak Formation as an overlying aquitard. The waters of the Mahmutlu and Ba?dato?lu springs are mainly of the Na-Cl-SO4 type that originate from the Pohrenk evaporite. The thermal waters are undersaturated with respect to calcite, dolomite, halite, and gypsum. The δ 18O and δ 2H contents indicate a δ 18O shift in the Mahmutlu and Ba?dato?lu waters. The temperature range of the two reservoirs is estimated to be 98–158?°C, on the basis of Na+K+Ca and SiO2 geothermometers.     

Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of upper Miocene Tekkedag volcanics (Central Anatolia—Turkey)

The Tekkeda? volcanic complex, which extends as a ridge in the direction of NW–SE, is one of the poorly known volcanic centers and is exposed to the southwest of Kayseri located within the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province (CAVP) of Turkey. The mineralogical composition of Tekkeda? volcanics reveals an assemblage of plagioclase (labradorite, bytownite)+pyroxene (augite, diopside and enstatite)+Fe–Ti oxide (magnetite, rutile)±olivine (forsterite) mineral composition having hypocrystaline porphryric, hypohyaline porphryric, gleomeroporphryric and seriate textures under the microscope. Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) has been used to define the mineral types. Tekkeda? volcanics have medium K₂O contents and are calc-alkaline in character. Geochemically, Tekkeda? volcanics show a narrow range of major element compositions and are classified as augite andesite/basaltic andesite. On the variation diagrams based on MgO versus major and trace elements, they show good positive and negative correlations, indicating fractional crystallization of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and Fe–Ti oxide. Tekkeda? volcanics display enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) relative to high field-strength elements (HFSEs) in chondrite, MORB, E-MORB and lower crust normalized multi-element diagrams. In all normalized multi-element diagrams, the trace element patterns of all samples are similar in shape and exhibit depletions in Ba, Nb, P and Ti as characteristics of subduction-related magmas. Rare earth element (REE) patterns for Tekkeda? volcanics show REE enrichment with respect to chondrite values. They exhibit marked enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs) ((La/Sm)_N=4.13–4.62) relative to heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) ((Sm/Lu)_N=1.34–1.92). Furthermore, all samples have negative Eu anomalies ((Eu/Eu^*)_N=0.77–0.90), indicating the significant role of plagioclase in the fractional crystallization. Elemental ratios such as K/P (15.46–21.69), La/Nb (2.01–4.26), Rb/Nb (8.74–10.59), Ba/Nb (38.54–75.77), Nb/Ta (1.16–2.14), Ce/P (2.13–4.32) and Th/U (1.77–3.97) propose that the magma was subjected to conceivable crustal contamination during the evolution of these Tekkeda? volcanics. This statement is supported by the AFC modeling based on the trace elements. As a result, despite the lack of isotopic data, the petrographic and geochemical results suggest a significant role of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and Fe–Ti oxide fractionation during the evolution of the Volcanic Arc Basalts (VAB) nature of the Tekkeda? volcanics. Furthermore, these results reveal that the volcanics of Tekkeda? were produced from a parental magma derived from an enriched source of mixed subduction and/or crustal products.     

Provenance of Upper Devonian clastic (meta)sediments of the Böllstein Odenwald (Mid-German-Crystalline-Zone,Variscides)

International Journal of Earth Sciences - Detrital zircons separated from paragneisses of the northern Böllstein Odenwald (Mid-German Crystalline Zone, Variscides) yielded Cambrian to Upper...     

Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Coniacian-Maastrichtian sequences of the Bey Dağları Autochthon,western Taurides,Turkey: thin-section zonation

Planktonic foraminifer distributions in seventeen stratigraphic sections of Upper Cretaceous hemipelagic and pelagic sequences of northern Bey Da?lar? Autochthon (western Taurides) yield six biozones such as, Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone, Dicarinella asymetrica Range Zone, Radotruncana calcarata Range Zone, Globotruncana falsostuarti Partial Range Zone, Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone, and Abathomphalus mayaroensis Concurrent Range Zone. Two of the zones, Dicarinella concavata Zone and Dicarinella asymetrica Zone, are identified in the massive hemipelagic limestones of the Bey Da?lar? Formation, of Coniacian-Santonian age. They are characterized by scarce planktonic foraminifera and abundant calcisphaerulids. The other four biozones are determined from the cherty pelagic limestones of the Akda? Formation and indicate a late Campanian-late Maastrichtian time interval. The planktonic foraminifera observed in these four biozones are diverse, complex morphotypes (K-selection), suggesting open oceans. The assemblage of the Abathomphalus mayaroensis Zone shows that the latest Maastrichtian record is absent throughout the northern part of the autochthon. Two main sedimentary hiatuses are recognized within the Upper Cretaceous pelagic sequence. Early to middle Campanian and latest Maastrichtian-middle Paleocene planktonic foraminifera are absent in all measured stratigraphic sections. Hiatus durations differ between sections as a result of diachronism of onset of the hemipelagic and pelagic deposition and the post-Santonian and post-Maastrichtian erosional phases. Drowning event and the early-middle Campanian and latest Maastrichtian-middle Paleocene hiatuses in the pelagic sequence are attributed to regional tectonics during the Late Cretaceous.     

Sedimentological,mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the ooids in Cleopatra (Sedir Island,Gökova Bay,SW Turkey) and Alexandria (NW Egypt) Beach sediments: A comparison and reality of myth of the love

According to the myth, ooid-rich sediments in Cleopatra Beach (Sedir Island, Turkey) were brought by ships from Alexandria Beach (Egypt) by the Roman leader, Marcus Antonius, for his lover Cleopatra. Ooids of both beaches have been compared in terms of sedimentology, mineralogy and geochemistry to determine reality of the myth of love. Sieve analyses exhibit that sediments of Cleopatra Beach are slightly better sorted than Alexandria Beach sediments, and have relatively smaller sized ooids, interpreted to represent a relatively less agitated environment. All ooids are composed mainly of aragonite characterized by high Sr contents (>8600 mg/kg). Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, the cross-plot of δ¹⁸Oaragonite versus δ¹³C_aragonite values of ooids, and the presence of detrital grains such as gneiss and schist hint on two distinct groups of samples that correspond to the Cleopatra and Alexandria Beach ooids. These results suggest that the myth may not be realistic, and the ooids on the shore of Sedir Island were formed in-situ, e.g., during the Late Holocene.     

Hydrogeochemical study of the thermal and mineralized waters of the Banaz (Hamamboğazi) area,western Anatolia,Turkey

The Hamamboğazi spa in western Turkey was built around natural hot springs with discharge temperatures in the range of 30–54°C; the waters have near neutral pH values of 6.50–7.10 and a TDS content between 2,694 and 2,982 mg/l. Thermal water with a temperature of 47.5–73°C has been produced at 325 l/s from five wells since 1994, causing some springs to go dry. A management plan is required in the study area to maximize the benefits of this resource, for which currently proposed direct uses include heating in the district and greenhouses, as well as balneology in new spas in the area. The best use for the water from each spring or well will depend on its temperature, chemistry and location. The thermal waters are mixed Na–Mg–HCO₃–SO₄ fluids that contain a significant amount of CO₂ gas. The chemical geothermometers applied to the Hamamboğazi thermal waters yield a maximum reservoir temperature of 130°C. Isotope results (¹⁸O, ²H, ³H) indicate that the thermal waters have a meteoric origin: rainwater percolates downward along fractures and faults, is heated at depth, and then rises to the surface along fractures and faults that act as a hydrothermal conduit. The basement around the Banaz Hamamboğazi resort is comprised of Paleozoic metamorphic schist and marbles exposed 8 km south and 15 km north of Banaz. Mesozoic marble, limestone and ophiolitic complex are observed a few km west and in the northern part of Banaz. These units were cut at a depth of 350–480 m in boreholes drilled in the area. Overlying lacustrine deposits are composed of fine clastic units that alternate with gypsum, tuff and tuffites of 200–350 m thickness. The marble and limestones form the thermal water aquifer, while lacustrine deposits form the impermeable cap.     

Presence and tectonic significance of Cretaceous rudist species in the so-called Permo-Carboniferous Göktepe Formation,central Menderes metamorphic massif,western Turkey

A schist sequence of the central Menderes Massif, in which lenses of fossiliferous marbles are found, is observed in the southern flank of the Aydn Mountain, north of Kök (Aydn), around Erikavak village. These rocks have been considered as Permo-Carboniferous in age and are included in the Göktepe Formation of earlier studies. However, some rudist species are described from thickly bedded gray marbles that have a concordant contact with the overlying schist sequence. Although the rudists have been metamorphosed, it is observed that some contain fossils are well enough preserved to determine the following rudist fauna: Hippurites lapeirousei (GOLDFUSS), Hippurites nabresinensis FUTTERER, Hippurites cf. colliciatus WOODWARD. This rudist fauna dates the schist sequence as Santonian–Campanian. The schist sequence is overlain by a thick tectonostratigraphic pile of orthogneiss which has been interpreted as the Pan-African metamorphic core of the Menderes Massif. A widespread cataclastic and mylonitic zone is present between the underlying rudist-bearing marbles and the structurally overlying orthogneiss sequence. The existing kinematic studies in the footwall and hangingwall of this tectonic contact reveal two different phases of deformations, a contractional phase followed by an extensional phase. During the contractional event, which occurred at 36 Ma, the orthogneiss sequence was thrust faulted northwards over the schist sequence. This thrust fault was later reactivated as a low-angle normal fault beneath a supradetachment sedimentary basin of Early-Middle Miocene age. The fossil discoveries of this study and the existing kinematic studies reveal that a new structural model for the central Menderes Massif in which the tectonometamorphic units form a major southward closing recumbent fold needs to be reviewed.     

Rock composition and origin of the Duwi Formation calcareous rocks, Upper Egypt

Upper Cretaceous phosphorite beds of the Duwi Formation, Upper Egypt, are intercalated with limestone, sandy limestone, marl, calcareous shales, and calcareous sandstone. Calcareous intercalations were subjected to field and detailed petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical investigations in order to constrain their rock composition and origin. Mineralogically, dolomite, calcite, quartz, francolite and feldspars are the non-clay minerals. Smectite, kaolinite and illite represent the clay minerals. Major and trace elements can be classified as the detrital and carbonate fractions based on their sources. The detrital fraction includes the elements that are derived from detrital sources, mainly clay minerals and quartz, such as Si, Al, Fe, Ti, K, Ba, V, Ni, Co, Cr, Zn, Cu, Zr, and Mo. The carbonate fraction includes the elements that are derived from carbonates, maily calcite and dolomite, such as Ca, Mg and Sr. Dolomite occurs as being dense, uniform, mosaic, very fine-to-fine, non-ferroan, and non-stoichiometrical, suggesting its early diagenetic formation in a near-shore oxidizing shallow marine environment. The close association and positive correlation between dolomite and smectite indicates the role of clay minerals in the formation of dolomite as a source of Mg^2＋ -rich solutions. Calcareous rocks were deposited in marine, oxidizing and weakly alkaline conditions, marking a semi-arid climatic period. The calcareous/argillaceous alternations are due to oscillations in clay/carbonate ratio.     

Natural and induced sinkholes of the Obruk Plateau and Karapınar-Hotamış Plain,Turkey

The number of sinkholes (locally known as obruks) has increased rapidly in recent years near Karap?nar, located in the semi-arid Konya Closed Basin in Central Anatolia. Nineteen sinkholes have formed in the last 33 years (1977–2009) as a result of the collapse of cavity roofs in the Neogene lacustrine limestone in the Obruk Plateau and beneath Quaternary lake sediments in the Karap?nar-Hotam?? Plain. Of these, 13 have formed within the past 4 years (2006–2009). The Obruk Plateau takes its name from the presence of several hundred paleo-sinkholes which formed as a result of natural processes during the Quaternary period. More recently, human activity has induced the formation of new sinkholes, which presents a hazard to life and property. Changing agricultural patterns have led to the opening of thousands of deep wells in recent years, and increased water pumping currently exceeds the sustainable yield of the aquifer. Thus the formation of sinkholes has been triggered by a combination of natural and human causes. The groundwater level has dropped almost 24 m in the vicinity of Karap?nar during the last 26 years (1983–2008). Approximately 8 m of this drop occurred within the 4 years prior to the study (2005–2008). Legally-binding precautions must be taken to prevent further water table decline, in order to decrease sinkhole formation within the basin in the years to come.     

Determination of radioactivity levels in Akhisar,Gördes,Gölmarmara and Sindirgi regions,Western Turkey

In this study, radioactivity measurements in the environment of Akhisar, Gölmarmara, Gördes and Sindirgi regions in Western Turkey were investigated in order to evaluate the implications of any excess radioactivity in the environment of geological formation. The radioactivity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th radionuclides in the soil samples were measured by a NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometer system, and the radium activity concentrations in the water samples were also analyzed by an ZnS(Ag) alpha counter by the collector chamber method. The radioactivity of ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th in soils ranged 2.80–2,347.77, 9.90–256.19 and 9.66–106.53 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The activity of ²²⁶Ra in the water samples ranged from 0.03 Bq L^?1 (0.89pCi/L) to 0.80 Bq L^?1 (21.58pCi/L). In addition, the external terrestrial gamma dose rate in air (nGy h^?1), annual effective dose rate (mSv year^?1) and radium equivalent activity (Bq kg^?1) were calculated and compared with international standard values.     

Composition and origin of the Çaldağ oxide nickel laterite,W. Turkey

The Çalda? nickel laterite deposit located in the Aegean region of W. Turkey contains a reserve of 33 million tons of Ni ore with an average grade of 1.14% Ni. The deposit is developed on an ophiolitic serpentinite body which was obducted onto Triassic dolomites in the Late Cretaceous. The deposit weathering profile is both laterally and vertically variable. A limonite zone, which is the main ore horizon, is located at the base of the profile. A hematite horizon is located above the limonite, which in the south of the deposit is capped by Eocene freshwater limestones and in the north by a siliceous horizon. The deposit is unusual in lacking a significant saprolite zone with little development of Ni-silicates. The boundary between the limonite zone and serpentinite below is sharp with a marked decrease in concentrations of MgO from 13 to 1 wt.% over a distance of 2 mm representing the ‘Mg discontinuity’. Ni concentrations within goethite, the main ore mineral, reach a maximum of ~3 wt.% near the base of the limonite zone. Silica concentrations are high throughout most of the laterite with up to 80 wt.% silica in the upper portion of some profiles. The combination of a serpentinite protolith and a high water table at Çalda?, in association with an aggressive weathering environment in a tropical climate, resulted in the formation of an oxide-dominated deposit. The precipitation of silica may coincide with a change in climate with silica precipitation linked to an increase in seasonality. Additional variations within profile morphology are attributed to transportation during and after laterite development as a result of faulting, pocket type laterite formation and slumping, each of which produces a contrasting set of textural and geochemical features.     

Characterization of the Sündikendağı deposit of moganite-rich,blue chalcedony nodules,Mayıslar–Sarıcakaya (Eskişehir), Turkey

Blue chalcedony nodules have been mined from the Sündikendağı deposit in the Mayıslar–Sarıcakaya (Eskişehir) region of north-central Turkey since ancient times; however, no modern geological study of this deposit has yet been published. Although ancient and current mining production have both taken place in an area of complex geology, our study and analyses of the deposit suggests a simple model of sedimentary deposition for its origin. The repeated episodes of tectonic activity, accompanied by brittle deformation, metamorphism, and hydrothermal activity, which characterize this part of the Anatolian Peninsula with its complex junction of tectonic plates, appear to have had little influence on the blue chalcedony nodules that make the deposit valuable other than perhaps to influence their trace-element composition.The physical nature of the nodules as revealed by polarized-light microscopy and XRD—they are composed only of fibrous length-fast quartz (chalcedony) and fibrous length-slow quartz (moganite), but contain neither platy opal-CT nor opal-C—is consistent with a sedimentary origin as are their overall shape and strata-bound occurrence in a sandstone (arkose).The relatively high concentrations of some trace elements in the nodules revealed by ICP-AES, suggest involvement of hydrothermal fluids during the direct epigenetic formation of chalcedony concretions during diagenesis of the enclosing sandstone or by alteration of diagenetic concretions of another composition. Sources could include upwardly moving hydrothermal fluids entering the sedimentary basin from underlying older Sarıcakaya intrusive rocks or sea-floor hydrothermal vents in the vicinity during diagenesis in the Palaeocene and Eocene (65–37.8 Ma) periods.Oxygen isotope analyses (SMOW) (using EA-IRMS) of both the blue chalcedony nodules (δ¹⁸O = + 28.2‰ to + 30.8‰) and the enclosing sandstone (δ¹⁸O = + 11.3‰ to + 13.2‰) suggest that the nodules formed during diagenesis at a low temperature of around 55 °C, although they are encased in sandstone whose grains came from rocks that formed at significantly higher temperature, perhaps above 100 °C.The unbanded Sündikendağı chalcedony nodules are similar in occurrence to the banded Fairburn agates of South Dakota, USA and the Dryhead agates of Montana, USA, which formed in Palaeozoic limestones, except that the blue chalcedony is hosted in sandstone. Other sedimentary agates are generally believed to have formed by the alteration of diagenetic concretions from the outside, inward. No other agates or chalcedonies hosted in sandstone are known for comparison with this deposit. Thus, the deposit appears to be unique. It is possible that the Sündikendağı unbanded blue chalcedony formed as epigenetic concretions during diagenesis of the sandstone—a mechanism previously shown for large crystals of other minerals found in sandstones.     

Atrypid Brachiopods from the Upper Devonian Wangchengpo Formation (Frasnian) of southern Guizhou, China — Extinction Patterns in the Frasnian of South China

The Wangchengpo Frasnian section of Dushan County contains two atrypid brachiopod assemblages. The lower is characterized by the Atryparia （Costatrypa） dushanensis fauna that appears at the base of the Hejiazhai Member approximately in the falsiovalis to transitans conodont zones： the upper is characterized by the Radiatrypa yangi fauna, which appears in the Lujiazhai Member approximately correspondent with the hassi to Upper rhenana conodont zones. Atrypid brachiopods, together with other brachiopods from the Dushan section show that the Hejiazhai Member is of Frasnian age. Preliminary analyses of Frasnian atrypid brachiopods from sections of South China indicate that there are nine genera and subgenera including Atryparia （Costatrypa）, Kyrtatrypa, Spinatrypa, lsospinatrypa, Spinatrypina, lowatrypa, Desquamatia （Desquamatia）. Desquamatia （Seratrypa）, and Radiatr）pa. Atrypid species diversity did not change much through the Frasnian. On a regional scale in South China, most atrypid species went extinct prior to the Frasnian/Famennian boundary. At any specific locality or section, these atrypids became extinct about 20-40 m below the Frasnian/Famennian （F/F） boundary, within the linguiformis conodont Zone, marking this as the major extinction level. Three new atrypid species are described： Atryparia （Costatrypa） dushanensis, lowatrypa pseudobodini, and Radiatrypa yangi.     

Microtextural Characteristics and Origin of Dolomites in the Tepearasi Formation, SW of Beysehir-Konya, Turkey

The Tepearasi Formation of the autochthonous Geyikdagi Group in the Central Tauride Belt, SE of Beysehir, is Dogger in age and consists dominantly of massive limestones and greyish dolomites occurring within the middle to upper sections. The total thickness of the dolomitic levels ranges from 100-300 m and laterally extends 500-700 m. Three types of dolomite were distinguished through petrographic analyses: homogeneous, mottled (saddle-crystalline) and joint-filling dolomite, which were interpreted to have formed in two different stages, early diagenetic and late diagenetic. The homogeneous dolomite of the early diagenetic stage is light-coloured and monotonous-textured and shows the form of a dolosparite mosaic. The mottled dolomite formed in the late diagenetic stage is light- to dark-coloured and coarsely granular idiomorphic. The other type of late diagenetic dolomite, described as the joint-filling type, presents a crystal growth pattern from the joint walls towards the centre of the joint space. I     

REE and HFS element behaviour in the alteration facies of the Erenler Dağı Volcanics (Konya,Turkey) and kaolinite occurrence

Mainly high-K, calc-alkaline, Late Miocene to Pliocene volcanic rocks cropped out of the Konya area in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The volcanic rocks are predominantly andesitic to dacitic in composition and rarely basalt, basaltic andesite, basaltic trachyandesite and pyroclastics. Kaolinite, illite, Ca-montmorillonite, alunite, jarosite, minamiite and silica polymorphs were formed by widespread and intense hydrothermal alteration in or around the volcanic products. To investigate the effects of hydrothermal alteration on the chemistry of volcanic rocks, the whole rock chemical composition (major and trace elements, including rare-earth elements (REE) was analysed. The results of the study demonstrate notable differences in the REE behaviour in the different sample groups. REE trends of fresh parent rocks to weakly-, moderately-altered, kaolinitic and alunitic rocks are characterised by strong LREE enrichment ((La/Lu)_cn = 14.57, 11,8 to 15.20, 4.54 to 13.30, 12.5 to 24.2 and 34.6 to 47.26, respectively). Most of the samples have pronounced negative and/or weakly-negative Eu anomalies ranging from 0.75 to 0.98 while three samples have weakly-positive Eu anomalies. LRE element contents are higher than those of HREE in the samples. The LRE elements were strongly enriched in the kaolinitic and alunitic alteration; in weakly- and moderately-altered rocks. LREE are nearly immobile whereas HRE elements show different behaviour in different rock groups. The HFS and TRT elements are slightly mobilised in weakly-altered rocks, but enriched in other alteration types. Elements commonly assumed to be immobile (e.g. Y, Zr, Nb, Hf, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, REE) show variation in mass calculation. LIL elements showed enrichment over LREE and MREE, and similar behaviour, in contrast with HFSE. A clear increment of trans-transition elements (TRTE) was found mainly in alunitic and partly in kaolinitic samples.     

Hydrochemical characteristics of surface and groundwater and suitability for drinking and agricultural use in the Upper Tigris River Basin,Diyarbakır–Batman,Turkey

Investigations were undertaken into the quality of surface water and groundwater bodies within the Upper Tigris Basin in Turkey to determine their suitability for potable and agricultural use. In the study area, the majority of the groundwater and surface water samples belong to the calcium–magnesium–bicarbonate type (Ca–Mg–HCO₃) or magnesium–calcium–bicarbonate type (Mg–Ca–HCO₃). Chemical analysis of all water samples shows that the mean cation concentrations (in mg/L) were in the order Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ and that of anions are in the order \( \text{HCO}_{3}^{ - } \) > \( \text{SO}_{4}^{2 - } \) > Cl^? > \( \text{CO}_{3}^{ - } \) for all groundwater and surface water samples. The Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio ranges from 0.21 to 1.30 with most of the values greater than 0.5, indicating that weathering of dolomites is dominant in groundwater. The analysis reveals that all of the samples are neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 7.0–8.7). Groundwater and surface water suitability for drinking usage was evaluated according to the World Health Organization and Turkish Standards (TSE-266) and suggests that most of the samples are suitable for drinking. Various determinants such as sodium absorption ratio, percent sodium (Na %), residual sodium carbonate and soluble sodium percentage revealed that most of the samples are suitable for irrigation. According to MH values, all of the well water samples were suitable for irrigation purposes, but 80 and 81.82% of Zillek springs and surface water samples were unsuitable. As per the PI values, the water samples from the study area are classified as Class I and Class II and are considered to be suitable for irrigation.