Sarıhıdır manganese mineralization related to travertine, Central Anatolian Volcanic Province, Turkey

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sarıhıdır travertines and associated manganese mineralization are located in an area known as the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province (CAVP). The topic of the study, the Sarıhıdır manganese mineralization, was deposited in association with fault zones in this tectonically-active region. Paragenesis of the mineralization includes pyrolusite, rhodochrosite and goethite with gangue minerals of calcite and quartz observed. Diagrams drawn using major oxide and trace elements like Fe–Mn–(Ni+Co+Cu)×10, Fe-Si×2-Mn, Co/Ni vs Cu+Co+Ni, Si/Al, Na/Mg, Fe/Ti vs. Al/(Al+Fe+Mn), Co+Ni/As+Cu+Mo+Pb+V+ Zn and FeO–MnO2–10× MgO show the mineralization found in the region is sourced in the hydrothermal field. The low total REE values and LREE>HREE ratio indicate the effect of hydrothermal solutions. Additionally, Ce, Eu and Ceanom anomalies indicate the source of the mineralization was hydrothermal with oxic-anoxic formation environment. The Y/Ho ratio is mean 30.1 which is lower compared to hydrothermal fluids. Mean values are δ13CPDB 12.24‰ and δ18OPDB 10.87‰ indicating deposition from fluids with a deep CO2 component. In conclusion, the Sarıhıdır mineralization and travertine were determined to have formed about 50–53 ka (Upper Pleistocene) based on U-series age data, as fault-controlled, hydrothermal-sourced mineralization.