Origin and Paleoenvironmental Conditions of the Köprüağzı Evaporites (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey): Sedimentological, Mineralogical and Geochemical Constraints

Abstract

Köprüağzı evaporites mainly consist of primary (selenite and gypsarenite) and secondary (massive, laminated and satin-spar) gypsum lithofacies, as well as minor anhydrite, and are interbedded with clastic and carbonate units. Sedimentological-mineralogical and geochemical findings reveal that the depositional basin extends from a lagoon to the hinterland. These data confirm that too much detrital input was transported into the basin with multiple salinity and pH value fluctuations, organic matter activity and reducing conditions. Geochemical data point out the shallow environment and the mixing of hydrothermal fluids and fresh waters. The investigated evaporites were exposed to diagenesis and alteration under the influence of a hot—dry and minor humid climate, tectonism and pressure. The 87Sr/86Sr, δ34S and δ18O isotope values of Köprüağzı evaporites reveal that they are of Miocene marine sulfate origin.

Geotechnical data compilation for evaporitic rocks in Abu Dhabi, UAE: A resource for engineers

“…In arid regions, the investigation of evaporitic rocks provides useful information due to their complexity and diverse geological, environmental, and geotechnical contributions [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] . This distinction points out the need for a comprehensive study that not only addresses origin and paleoenvironmental conditions but also addresses engineering issues, particularly in construction [6] , [7] , [8] .…”

The Sulfur Isotopic Characteristics of Evaporites in the Yarkand Basin of Xinjiang Province in the Paleocene and Its Paleoenvironmental Evolution

“…Sulfur isotopic techniques have been widely used to study evaporites in saline lakes in recent years [5], as they allow for regional and even global comparison of marine sedimentary layers due to their highly regular distribution in sulfate. Especially under complex conditions, analyzing the distribution of sulfur isotopes provides substantial evidence for reconstructing paleogeographic sedimentary environments and understanding the genesis of evaporites [6][7][8][9]. The sulfur isotope composition of marine evaporites records the evolutionary history of seawater sulfates in different geological periods.…”