Distribution and Origin of Clay Minerals in Konya Neogene Sedimentary Basin, Central Anatolia, Turkey

Authors: SELAHATTİN KADİR, ZEHRA KARAKAŞ

Abstract: Neogene sediments having both fluvial and lacustrine characteristics are widespread in the Konya region of central Anatolia. The fluvial units are typically green in colour and thick at the margin of the basin and thinning laterally basinwards. The lacustrine sediments are represented by white, beige and cream, pure, dolomitic, sandy and clayey limestone alternating with claystone. Grain size, components and matrix of the fluvial and lacustrine sediments decrease from the margin of the basin toward its center. Smectite and chlorite in detrital fluvial sediments are associated with amphibole, illite and quartz, while sepiolite and palygorskite formed diagenetically in the carbonate units of the central part of basin.

Keywords: clay minerals, Konya, lacustrine environment, Neogene, Turkey

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