Approaches to the Low-Grade Metamorphic History of the Karakaya Complex by Chlorite Mineralogy and Geochemistry

Abstract

Chlorite minerals are commonly found in the units of Karakaya Complex that reflect different tectonic settings and evolution. In this study, the availability of chlorites has been investigated as a parameter on the interpretation of the diagenetic-metamorphic evolution and revealing the geological history from the different units of the complex. Primary and secondary chlorite minerals in the low-very low-grade metamorphic rocks have interference colors of blue and brown and an optical isotropic appearance with very low birefringence. Chlorites are seen in the matrix, pores and/or pods of rocks as platy/flaky and partly radial forms. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) data; Mg-Fe chlorites with entirely IIb polytype (trioctahedral) exhibit various compositions such as brunsvigite-diabantite-chamosite. Furthermore, chlorite minerals correspond to felsic and metabasic origins in terms of the rocks from which they derived. Similarly, geochemical data such as the major element contents and structural formulas of chlorites also suggest a different composition and origin. Trace and especially rare earth element (REE) concentrations of chlorite minerals increase from schist towards slate depending on their degree of metamorphism and nature of the host rocks. This relationship can be significantly noticed in the chondrite-normalized REE and trace element patterns. These changes show that are they are related to the structures, formation mechanisms and tectonic environments of the chlorite minerals. In other words, they suggest that chlorites may play a key role in distinguishing of units with different geological history.