MINERALS, cilt.13, sa.6, ss.1-25, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Red soil is formed by weathering due to the effect of bedrock and various fluids in
subtropical and tropical climate zones. The major and trace element geochemistry of red soil are
important for understanding its environmental conditions and interpreting its genesis. This study
aims to determine how red soil is formed in the study area, where magmatic rocks are located, and
to determine their relationship with magmatic fluids. In this context, geochemical analyses were
conducted, and index values, spatial distributions, and multivariate statistics of the samples were
calculated. Methods: A total of 49 red soil samples collected from the Sutlegen Village in the Kas
district of Antalya were subjected to geochemical analysis. The following major elements were found
in the red soil samples: Al2O3
, SiO2
, Fe2O3
, TiO2
, CaO, MgO, K2O, P2O5
, and SO3
. The Al2O3–SiO2–
Fe2O3
triangular diagram revealed that the samples underwent moderate laterization. Multivariate
statistical analyses indicated that major element oxides of Al2O3
, Fe2O3
, and SiO2 behaved differently
from other components and revealed that red soil formations were associated with magmatic fluids.
The region is a potential area for economic bauxite resources. Detailed investigations should be
conducted on mineral exploration for bauxite ore.