Maden, Nafız; Gücer, Mehmet Ali; Akaryalı, Enver

New radiogenic heat production (RHP) data are presented for Carboniferous granites outcropping in the Akşar region (Bayburt, NE Turkey) to contribute to ongoing debates on the genetic and lithologic relationship between the Akşar and Gümüşhane plutons, which is the most widely distributed granitic rocks in the region. The scope of this study consists of rocks composed of enriched mantle material metasomatized by fluids from the previously subducted plate. We observed average K value for the Akşar Pluton was found to be 3.09 ± 1.58 %. Additionally, average Th/U and U/Th values of 3.95 ± 1.37 and 0.29 ± 0.10, respectively. The calculated RHP value for the Akşar Pluton was 2.20 ± 0.56 μWm−3. Numerical results suggest that the Carboniferous Akşar pluton's primary magma was the product of mixing lithospheric mantle and mid-to-lower crustal melts because of partial melting, differentiation, and emplacement in the shallow continental magma chamber. The geochemical and petrogenetic characteristics of the Akşar region magmas suggest that crustal contamination occurred at multiple levels, particularly within the lower to middle crust of the plutonic core complex. This complex likely retains geochemical signatures indicative of subducted Paleotethys oceanic lithosphere. These findings provide critical insights into the magmatic evolution of the Eastern Pontides, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of crust–mantle interactions and the broader geodynamic framework of northeastern Türkiye.

Çınar, Hakan; Altundaş, Suna; Çelik, Necati; Maden, Nafız

The present work utilizes in situ gamma ray spectrometric measurement data to map the surface geology of Sarıhan Granitoid and its surrounding area. The study area comprises three different lithological units, namely, Hozbirikyayla Formation (limestone and sandy limestones), Sarıhan Granitoid (consist of quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite and quartz diorite) and the Ophiolitic olistostromal melange (andesite, basalt, sandstone, gravelly sandstone). When lithological units are assessed according to the radioactivity characteristics, natural radionuclide contents (40K and radionuclides from 238U and 232Th series) of Hozbirikyayla limestones and ophiolitic melange rocks are lower than the Sarıhan pluton. The U, Th and K radionuclide contents were found to be 0.8–5.4 ppm, 10.1–33.6 ppm and 1.29–4.41% in the Sarıhan plutonic area and 0.9–5.3 ppm, 1.1–20.3 ppm and 0.04–2.71% in Horzbirikyayla formation, respectively. The element concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K of the Ophiolitic melange are 1.1–4.5 ppm, 1.6–25.3 ppm and 0.09–3.63%, respectively. Radioelement ratio maps are created for the studied area, because the parameters of radioelement ratios, eU/eTh, eU/K and eTh/K, reflect the radioactive characters of the rock and soil. The Hozbirikyayla Formation is characterized by the highest value of eU/eTh and lowest value of eTh/K. While the lowest eU/eTh and eU/K ratios were observed in the Sarıhan Granodiorite, the highest value of eU/K and eTh/K were obtained in the Ophiolitic olistostromal melange. By comparing these maps with the geology, it was found that the radioelement concentrations are in good agreement with the geological properties of the region. In addition to this, the radiation hazard parameters were evaluated to assess the radiation hazard for people living in this area. It has also been found that there is no significant radiologic hazard for humans and the environment in and around studied area.