Variation of minerals and clay minerals recorded in the Neo-Tethys (central Turkey): new evidence of climatic changes during the middle Eocene

Author(s)

Eric Siciliano Rêgo

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto Oceanográfico (IO/DIDC)
• Defense date: 2017-07-27

Examining board members

Luigi Jovane; Lucy Gomes Sant Anna; Jairo Francisco Savian

• Advisor: Luigi Jovane

Abstract

Minerals and clay minerals in continental sedimentary successions are valuable tools for reconstructing past environmental conditions. Given the state of preservation of clays minerals, it is possible to identify how they were formed, providing clues about continental weathering conditions (inherited minerals) and geochemical conditions in the water column (neoformed or transformed). This study presents new mineralogical data from the Baskil section, a highly preserved middle Eocene succession in the Neo-Tethys (central Turkey). A gradual shift from a well-crystalline illite and chlorite interval (subsection I) to a detrital smectite dominant interval (subsection II) characterizes a change in source area from metamorphic to igneous rocks and changes from physical to chemical weathering conditions on land. This period coincides with the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO), indicating a mineralogical signature of the event. Higher content of terrigenous input being deposited from 40.5 to 40 Ma caused a dilution effect of the carbonate materials as calcite and dolomite significantly decreases. Authigenic palygorskite showed an increasing trend from the middle to the uppermost portion of the section, indicating favorable conditions in the water column for its formation. We assume that conditions in the ocean circulation changed after 40 Ma, forming a stratified water column with warmer and saline conditions at greater depths, favoring palygorskite and possibly authigenic dolomite precipitation. The mineralogical evolution of the Baskil section reflects how sources and weathering regimes changed through time, and how these changes can be related to global (i.e. MECO) and/or local to regional processes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/16501-4 - Variation of minerals and clay minerals recorded in the Atlantic and Neo-Tethys ocean: new evidence of a global warming event in the middle Eocene
• Grantee: Eric Siciliano Rego
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master