Rare Earth Element Distribution and Paleoenvironmental Implications of Harmanlı (Gölbaşı, Adıyaman) Coals, SE Anatolia


Ünal Kartal N., Altunsoy M., Karagöz M.

ACS OMEGA, cilt.11, ss.4699-4711, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 11
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Dergi Adı: ACS OMEGA
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Chemical Abstracts Core, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.4699-4711
  • Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study investigates in detail the lanthanide and yttrium (REY) geochemistry, mineralogical characterization, and paleoenvironmental

conditions of the Harmanlı coal deposits (Gölbaşı, Adıyaman) located in the southwestern region of the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ). Analyses of

coal samples using XRD, SEM-EDS, ICP-AES, and ICP−MS provide data on the mineralogical composition, distribution of major and trace elements, and REY enrichment mechanisms. The Harmanlı coal consists primarily of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals (kaolinite, illite, and smectite), including

small quantities of dolomite, gypsum, pyrite, and mica, and trace amounts of barite, Ti-oxide, Fe-oxide, phosphate minerals, and zircon. The range of REY concentrations is 20.6−78.2 ppm. Light REY (LREY) is more enriched than medium REY (MREY) and heavy REY (HREY). The strong correlation

between REY and major oxides indicates that REY is concentrated in clay and Fe−Ti minerals. SEM-EDS analyses have confirmed

that REY is associated with these minerals. Furthermore, several phosphate minerals have been discovered to display REY

enrichments. Paleosalinity assessments suggest a depositional environment affected by freshwater, whereas redox indicators often

point to reducing conditions. It is also understood that oxidizing conditions were effective in some areas during the coal deposition

process. Paleoclimatic indicators show that the climate was generally humid and tropical, but arid phases also occurred in some areas.

The geochemistry of detrital minerals and Al2O3/TiO2 ratios indicate predominantly felsic sources for the detrital material, with a

smaller amount of mafic/ophiolitic material present. Evaluation of the tectonic influences suggests that the sedimentary system

developed under the control of the EAFZ.

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