Whole Rock and Clay Mineralogy of Early Miocene Sedimentary Rocks Outcropping in the Northeast of Korkut (muş-Türki̇ye)

Abstract

This study was carried out to reveal the origins and formations of the minerals by determining the mineralogical compositions of Early Miocene aged sedimentary rocks outcropping in the northeast of Korkut district, 20 km from Muş. 75 rock samples were taken by measuring two stratigraphic sections from Mollababa Formation (Aquitanian) and Aktaş Formation (Burdigalian) cropping out in the study area. XRD (X-ray diffraction) WR (whole-rock) analyzes were performed on these rock samples, and calcite, quartz, feldspar, clinoptilolite and clay minerals were determined in their compositions. CF (clay fraction) mineralogical compositions were determined by performing XRD detailed clay analyzes on 20 selected rock samples. In clay fractions; chlorite, illite, serpentine, mixed- layered chlorite-vermiculite (C-V) and non-clay minerals such as calcite, quartz and feldspar were determined. SEM-EDS (scanning electron microscope - energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy) studies were carried out on five selected samples, and in addition to clay minerals such as feldspar, calcite, chlorite and C-V, fossils were also observed. When all the data were evaluated, it was interpreted that the chemical and biogenic origin of the calcite mineral, the detrital origin of the quartz, feldspar, chlorite and serpentine minerals, the neoformation product of clinoptilolite, C-V mineral formed from dark-colored minerals with negative transformation.