In Honor of Nobel Laureate Prof. M Stanley Whittingham
| GEOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TERRA ROSSA FORMATIONS IN SOUTHWESTERN ANATOLIA: A GIS-BASED APPROACH FOR DISTRIBUTION AND LAND USE ANALYSIS Ali İskenderoğlu1; Mustafa Kumral2; Beril Kaya3; Ali Tugcan Unluer3; Murat Budakoğlu4; 1TURKISH COURT OF ACCOUNTS, Ankara, Turkey; 2ISTANBUL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, İstanbul, Turkey; 3İSTANBUL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, İstanbul, Turkey; 4İSTANBUL TECNICAL UNIVERSITY, İstanbul, Turkey; PAPER: 312/Geochemistry/Regular (Oral) OL SCHEDULED: 12:20/Wed. 29 Nov. 2023/Coral Reef ABSTRACT: Study area is located in the Aegean region and the Mediterranean climate zone, just north of Akkaya (Muğla, Turkey). In this area, the Jura-Cretaceous-aged carbonate Muğla Marble Formation has been observed. To determine the distribution, geochemical characteristics, and uses of the Terra Rossa formations on these carbonate platforms, Geographic Information System (GIS) applications were used. These applications involved collecting vector and raster data from satellite images, topography, geology, forestry, meteorology, agriculture, and livestock fields using a multi-disciplinary approach. The Terra Rossa formations are commonly found in flat and karstic depressions, associated with NW-SE and less frequently NE-SW fault and fracture systems. They typically occur at slopes below 200. Within the total study area of 478.9 hectares, there is a potential Terra Rossa area of 413.4 hectares with slopes between 0-20o, but only 30.2 hectares of this area (7.3%) actually consists of Terra Rossa formations. Among the Terra Rossa potential area, there is a 23.8-hectare registered land area, and 11.7 hectares of this area are covered by Terra Rossa. Taking into account both the Terra Rossa formations and the registered land areas, a transition zone (GZ) of 371.1 hectares has been calculated, while a massive zone (MZ) of 65.5 hectares with steeper slopes than 20o has been identified. The forested areas cover 366.8 hectares, and the treasury lands cover 88.3 hectares, with nearly all of them being classified as unqualified forest. In the forested areas, 10.3 hectares, and in the treasury lands, 8.2 hectares of new Terra Rossa formations have been identified. A total of 24 geochemical samples have been taken from these different zones. The major oxides and trace elements in these samples have been analyzed and evaluated using geo-statistical methods. Similarities in trace element contents have been observed among all Terra Rossa samples, and the presence of REE (Rare Earth Elements) content has also been revealed. Based on the geological and geochemical characteristics, the studied area has been divided into three groups: Terra Rossa (TR), Transition Zone (GZ), and Massive Zone (MZ). According to GIS applications and geochemical analyses, Terra Rossa areas are suitable for almond, olive, walnut, vineyards, and pasture; Transition Zone includes areas suitable for urban development and pasture, and Massive Zone could potentially remain as a free zone. Furthermore, it has been determined that all these areas can be evaluated together, as they intermingle within the study area. |
