Hydrogeochemical evaluation of Western Anatolian mineral waters

Turkey lies on the Alpine-Himalayan belt which is one of the most important geothermal belts in the World. Therefore, there are numerous mineral waters in Anatolia where geological and tectonic activities are intense. Archeological studies conducted in Anatolia, which is the cradle of various civilizations, reveal the fact that mineral water has been used as a spa in many areas.The scope of this study is to evaluate mineral waters in Western Anatolia and their use in thermal resorts for balneological purposes. In this respect, 50 thermal waters used in spa centers were analyzed for various physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters.Among the 50 waters tested, 40 are thermomineral waters while 10 are acratothermal waters. Some of these waters have distinct chemical compositions. Their temperatures are between 21 and 90 °C. Various types of mineral water source occur within this region: 5 of these are sulfurous, 1 has carbon dioxide, 29 have fluorine, 1 has iodine and 3 are saliferous. The thermomineral sources with saline characteristics have balneotherapy potential for treating skin illnesses including psoriasis and rheumatological illnesses.Some waters with appreciable bicarbonate and sulfate concentrations can also be used for balneotherapy; for example for use as a cure for chronic inflammatory diseases of gastrointestinal and urinary systems. They could also be used as a cure for prophylactic and metaphylactic treatment of urolithiasis.However, among 38 sampling sites, 12 sites are bacteriologically contaminated. This indicates that regulations governing the protection of such zones are not properly enforced and that water sources within these regions are not sufficiently protected or inspected.     

Episodic,two-stage Neogene extension and short-term intervening compression in Western Turkey: field evidence from the Kiraz Basin and Bozdağ Horst

Western Anatolia (Turkey) is a region of widespread active N-S continental extension that forms the eastern part of the Aegean extensional province. The extension in the region is expressed by two distinct/different structural styles, separated by a short-term gap: (1) rapid exhumation of metamorphic core complexes along presently low-angle ductile-brittle normal faults commenced by the latest Oligocene-Early Miocene period, and; (2) late stretching of crust and, consequent graben evolution along Plio-Quaternary high-angle normal faults, cross-cutting the pre-existing low-angle normal faults. However, current understanding of the processes (tectonic quiescence vs N-S continental compression) operating during the short-time interval is incomplete. This paper therefore reports the results of recent field mapping and structural analysis from the NE of Küçük Menderes Graben—Kiraz Basin—that shed lights on the processes operating during this short-time interval. The data includes the thrusting of metamorphic rocks of the Menderes Massif over the Mio-Pliocene sediments along WNW-ESE-trending high-angle reverse fault and the development of compressional fabrics in the metamorphic rocks of the Menderes Massif. There, the metamorphic rocks display evidence for four distinct phases of deformation: (1) southfacing top-N ductile fabrics developed at relatively high-grade metamorphic conditions, possibly during the Eocene main Menderes metamorphism (amphibolite facies) associated with top-N thrust tectonics (D₁); (2) top-S and top-N ductile gentle-moderatley south-dipping extensional fabrics formed at relatively lower-grade metamorphic (possibly greenschist facies) conditions associated with the exhumation of Menderes Massif along presently low-angle normal fault plane that accompanied the first phase of extension (D₂); (3) moderately north-dipping top-S ductile-brittle fabrics, present configuration of which suggest a thrust-related compression (D₃); and (4) south-facing approximately E-W-trending brittle high-angle normal faults (D₄) that form the youngest structures in the region. It is interpreted that D₄ faults are time equivalent of graben-bounding major high-angle normal faults and they correspond to the second phase of extension in western Anatolia. The presence of thrust-related D₃ compressional fabrics suggests N-S compression during the time interval between the two phases of extension (D₂ and D₄). The results of the present study therefore support the episodic, two-stage extension model in western Anatolia and confirm that a short-time, intervening N-S compression separated the two distinct phases.     

Rates of crustal deformation in the North Aegean trough-North Anatolian fault deduced from seismicity

The rates and configuration of seismic deformation in the North Aegean trough-North Anatolian fault are determined from the moment tensor mechanisms of the earthquakes that occurred within this region. The analysis is based onKostrov's (1974) formulation. The fault plane solutions of the earthquakes of the period 1913–1983 withM _s 6.0 are used. The focal mechanism of some of the past events (before 1960) is assumed, based on the present knowledge of the seismotectonics as well as on the macroseismic records of the area studied. The analysis showed that the deformation of the northern Aegean is dominated by EW contraction (at a rate of about 15 mm/yr) which is relieved by NS extension (at a rate of about 9 mm/yr). It was also shown that the northern part of North Anatolia (north of 39.7°N parallel) undergoes contraction in the EW direction (at a rate of about 9 mm/yr) and NS extension as the dominant mode of deformation (at a rate of about 5 mm/yr). It may be stated therefore, that the pattern of deformation of the northern Aegean and the northern part of North Anatolian fault is controlled by the NS extension the Aegean is undergoing as a whole, and the dextral strike-slip motion of the North Anatolian fault. The southern part of North Anatolia is undergoing crustal thinning at a rate of 2.3 mm/yr, NS extension (at a rate of 5 mm/yr) as well as EW extension (at a rate of 4 mm/yr), which are consistent with the occurrence of major normal faulting and justify the separation of North Anatolia into two separate subareas.     

Geochemistry of post-collisional mafic lavas from the North Anatolian Fault zone, Northwestern Turkey

Extensive magmatic activity developed at the northwestern part of the Anatolian block and produced basaltic lavas that are situated along and between the two segments of the North Anatolian Fault zone. This region is a composite tectonic unit formed by collision of continental fragments after consumption of Neotethyan ocean floor during the late Cretaceous. Northwestern Anatolian basalts and evolved lavas exhibit both tholeiitic and calc-alkaline characteristics. Mafic lavas are moderately enriched in LILE (except depleted part of Yuvacık and İznik samples) and depleted in HFSE (but not Zr, Hf) relative to primitive mantle values, suggesting derivation from a MORB-like mantle source that is unexpected in this subduction environment. Sr and Nd isotopes are close to the mantle array and vary beyond analytical error (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0.70404–0.70546, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd 0.51270–0.51289). These geochemical features may result from two possible processes: (1) melting of a MORB-like mantle source that was modified by subduction-released fluids and melts or (2) modification of mafic liquids derived from a dominantly MORB-like source by crustal or lithospheric mantle material. Geochemical characteristics of the lavas (e.g., Ba/Rb, Rb/Sr, Ba/Zr, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, Sr/P) vary systematically along the fault zone from east to west, consistent with a decrease in the degree of melting from east to west or a change in the nature of the source composition itself. Thus, the difference in incompatible elements and Sr–Nd isotopic ratios seems to result from small-scale mantle heterogeneity in a post-collisional tectonic environment.     

Investigation of Crustal Thickness in Eastern Anatolia Using Gravity,Magnetic and Topographic Data

The tectonic regime of Eastern Anatolia is determined by the Arabia-Eurasia continent-continent collision. Several dynamic models have been proposed to characterize the collision zone and its geodynamic structure. In this study, change in crustal thickness has been investigated using gravity, magnetic and topographic data of the region. In the first stage, two-dimensional low-pass filter and upward analytical continuation techniques were applied to the Bouguer gravity data of the region to investigate the behavior of the regional gravity anomalies. Next the moving window power spectrum method was used, and changes in the probable structural depths from 38 to 52 km were determined. The changes in crustal thickness where free air gravity and magnetic data have inversely correlated and the type of the anomaly resources were investigated applying the Euler deconvolution method to Bouguer gravity data. The obtained depth values are consistent with the results obtained using the power spectrum method. It was determined that the types of anomaly resources are different in the west and east of the 40° E longitude. Finally, using the obtained findings from this study and seismic velocity models proposed for this region by previous studies, a probable two-dimensional crust model was constituted.     

Geoelectromagnetic and geothermic investigations in the Ihlara Valley geothermal field

The Ihlara Valley is situated within a volcanic arc that is formed by the collision of the eastern Mediterranean plate system with the Anatolian plate. In this study we will present data from a reservoir monitoring project over the Ihlara-Ziga geothermal field, located 22 km east of Aksaray, in central Anatolia.Although identified geothermal resources in the Ihlara Valley are modest, substantial undiscovered fields have been inferred primarily from the volcanic and tectonic setting but also from the high regional heat flow (150–200 mWm⁻²) on the Kir ehir Massif.In 1988 and 1990, geoelectromagnetic surveys were undertaken by MTA-Ankara to confirm the presence of a relatively shallow (≈ 0.5–1 km), hydrothermally caused conductive layer or zone. CSAMT and Schlumberger resistivity data show good correspondence with each other, and 2-D geoelectric models are also in harmony with geologic data and gravity anomalies.The depth of the resistive basement, which is interpreted as Paleozoic limestone, is 200–250 m in the western part and increases eastward (≈ 600–750 m). This may imply N-S-oriented normal faulting within the survey area. The parameters of the top layer are a resistivity of 25 to 95 ohm m and a thickness of between 100 and 250 m. The thickness of the conductive tuffs between the top layer and the basement, whose resistivity is about 4–5 o hmm, also increases eastward (from 100 to 450 m). The apparent resistivity maps for the frequencies between 32 and 2 Hz reveal a localized low resistivity anomaly to the east of Belisirma.     

Late Cretaceous eclogitic high-pressure relics in the Bitlis Massif

A new occurrence of eclogites was found in the Kesandere valley in the eastern most part of the Bitlis complex, SE Anatolia. These high-pressure (HP) relics were preserved in calc-arenitic metasediments within the high-grade metamorphic basement of the Bitlis complex. The eclogitic parageneses were strongly overprinted during decompression and heating. These new eclogites locality complements the evidence of blueschist-facies metamorphism documented recently in the meta-sedimentary cover sequence of this part of the Bitlis complex. Thermodynamic calculations suggest peak conditions of ca. 480–540 °C/1.9–2.4 GPa. New U/Pb dates of 84.4 ± .9 and 82.4 ± .9 Ma were obtained on zircons from two Kesandere eclogite samples. On the basis of geochemical criteria, these dates are interpreted to represent zircon crystallization during the eclogitic peak stage. Kesandere eclogites differ from those previously described in the western Bitlis complex (Mt. Gablor locality) in terms of lithologic association, protolithic origin, and peak P–T conditions (600–650 °C/1.0–2.0 GPa, respectively). On the other hand, eclogitic metamorphism of Kesandere metasediments occurred shortly before blueschist-facies metamorphism of the sedimentary cover (79–74 Ma ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica). Therefore, the exhumation of Kesandere eclogites started between ca. 82 and 79 Ma, while the meta-sedimentary cover was being buried. During this short time span, Kesandere eclogite were likely uplifted from ~65 to 35 km depth, indicating a syn-subduction exhumation rate of ~4.3 mm/a. Subsequently, eclogite- and blueschist-facies rocks were likely retrogressed contemporarily during collision-type metamorphism (around 72–69 Ma). The Bitlis HP rocks thus sample a subduction zone that separated the Bitlis–Pütürge (Bistun?) block from the South-Armenian block, further north. To the south, Eocene metasediments of the Urse formation are imbricated below the Bitlis complex. They contain (post Eocene) blueschists, testifying separation from the Arabian plate and southward migration of the subduction zone. The HT overprint of Kesandere eclogites can be related to the asthenospheric flow provoked by subducting slab retreat or break off.     

Late Cenozoic polyphase deformation and basin development,Kütahya region,western Turkey

The Neogene–Quaternary succession in the Kütahya region is of importance in the neotectonic evolution of western Anatolia because the strata contain clear evidence of compression and extension. During the early-middle Miocene, N–S compression/transpression as well as NE–SW- and NW–SE-oriented oblique conjugate faults formed. NE–SW-oriented horsts and grabens developed, controlled by the dominant NE–SW faults. The Seyitömer and Sabuncup?nar grabens were filled primarily by terrestrial clastic sedimentary and volcanic rocks. At the end of the middle Miocene, the graben fill was locally folded and reverse faulted, reflecting reactivation of compression. Between the late Miocene and the middle Pliocene, the region underwent erosion and lacustrine sediments accumulated in topographic lows. Between the middle and late Pliocene, compression in the region was again reactivated and basal units were thrust over the pre-upper Pliocene units. The late Plio-Quaternary marked the onset of N–S extension and development of the NW–SE-oriented Kütahya Graben, co-genetic equivalents of which are common throughout western Anatolia. This study indicates that tectonic evolution of western Anatolia involved multiple stages of contraction and extension.     

A case for a downwasting mountain glacier during Termination I,Verçenik valley,northeastern Turkey

Field evidence of palaeoglacial records in the Verçenik valley in the Eastern Black Sea Mountains was examined and 19 samples for surface exposure dating with cosmogenic ¹⁰Be were collected with the aim of increasing knowledge on the amplitude and frequency of palaeoglacier advances in Anatolia. Glacial erosional features were mapped and the flow directions of the palaeoglaciers were determined. The Verçenik palaeoglacier advanced before 26.1 k ± 1.2 k yr. The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) advance continued until 18.8 k ±1.0 k yr. The Verçenik palaeoglacier collapsed during Termination I. After 17.7 k ± 0.8 k yr there was no more ice in the main valley. The Verçenik palaeoglacier most probably then separated into five small glaciers that were restricted to the tributary valleys. Among these, the Hem?in palaeoglacier completed its recession around 15.7 k ± 0.8 k yr. On the basis of glacial erosion features, a Lateglacial glacier advance can be identified. Evidence of the Little Ice Age advance appears to be absent. The results from this valley system seem to be consistent with the first results from the adjacent Kavron valley and with the Anatolian LGM palaeoclimate, the sea surface temperature minima in the western Mediterranean, the deposition of red clay layers in the Black Sea and deposition of the Heinrich‐1 layer in the North Atlantic. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.