Isotope geochemistry of Koçaşlı Barite mineralization

Abstract

Precambrian-Mesozoic dated rocks are seen combined along the Taurus Orogenic Belt owing to the closure of the Neotethys ocean's branches. In this area, there are significant barite deposits related to carbonate rocks. The mineralization of Koçaşlı (Gülnar, Mersin) barite may be observed in Devonian carbonates located in the Central Taurus Mountains. The slope and dip are toward 60°SW, and the ore is orientated N10°W. The ore zone has a thickness of 7 meters and an average length of 15 meters. The initial analyses of the barite in this area were done using stable oxygen, sulfur, and 87Sr/86Sr isotopes respectively. The Koçaşlı barite samples' 34S values are quite high compared to the isotope composition in modern sea water, indicating that they are enriched in the heavy isotope 34S. The amount of 18O isotope found in barites shares similarities with the sulfates observed in seawater from the Devonian period. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the barite samples examined for the study are higher than the isotopic composition of modern seawater. These isotope values for the barite sample point to a considerable contribution from the continental crust and a rich source of 87Rb. Results from isotope analysis demonstrate that mineralization in this area is majorly caused by sedimentary processes.