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Mustafa Ergin, Ankara University, Faculty of Engineering (Turkey)
Koray Sözeri, Ankara University, Faculty of Engineering (Turkey)
Zehra Karakas, Ankara University, Faculty of Engineering (Turkey)
Yusuf Kaan Kadioglu, Ankara University, Faculty of Engineering (Turkey)
Füsun Yigit, General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) (Turkey)
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The Patara Beach of the Esen Delta plain is located at the south of the Town of Fethiye, on the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It is approximately 12 km long with backshore widths ranging from 50 to 600 meters. Surface sediment samples were collected at 47 locations, extending from swash zone to backshore areas, along the Patara Beach to investigate economically important mineral deposits and possible potential for geoturism aspects in this region. Grain size, carbonate, mineral, heavy mineral and multielement analysis were carried out using standard procedures, techniques and equipments. Fine sand and medium sand are the major grain size fractions which constitute beach sediments of the Patara Beach. The total heavy mineral fractions of bulk Patara Beach sediments (with no significant differences between shoreline and lower backshore samples) ranged from less than 1 to 17 %. Highest total heavy mineral concentrations at two stations (3,1-17 %) were confined to an area lying between the present mouth of the Esen River in the southeast and a sandy head coastal feature (with the rocky Özlen Island in front) in the northwest. Magnetite (8-43 %), hematite (6-27%), epidote (3-15%), amphibole (4-19%), pyroxene (3-21%) and epidote (3-15) were principal minerals in the heavy mineral fraction followed by garnet and chromite. The concentrations of Cr (0,25-6,77 %) and Ni (195-588 ppm) in bulk sediments are found comparable higher than those found in average sedimentary and Earth's Crust rocks. The presence of high abundances of these elements in the Patara Beach sediments are explained by the occurrences of ophiolites and associated ore deposits on the coastal hinterland. Detailed mineralogical and multielement studies are still going on.
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