Geology and Geochemistry of Nodular-Phosphate and Fault-Controlled Hydrothermal-Phosphate Mineralizations in Arikli and Nusratli Villages (Ayvacik-Çanakkale, Nw Turkey)

Abstract

Uranium bearing phosphate mineralizations in the tuffs (ignimbrites) of Middle Miocene Arıklı volcanites in the vicinity of Arıklı and Nusratlı villages, Çanakkale have been known since 1977. In the study area, two types of phosphate mineralizations are present in different parts. First type and important one is in the tectonic zones in tuffs and along the contact between tuffs and Çetmi ophiolite and along the contacts of the units of the Küçükkuyu Formation in the Muharremin Tepe, Feyzullah Tepe, Örencik Tepe, Gedikharman Tepe in north and northwest of Arıklı village. Second type is the vein type mineralizations in the tuffs in Çarşılı Tepe, east of Nusratlı village. Both types of mineralizations are hydrothermal origin. Additionally, walnut-sized syngenetic phosphate nodules are also observed in the tuffs in Çarşılı Tepe. XRD and geochemical analysis of samples obtained from mineralizations indicated that the major phosphate bearing mineral is chlorapatite and they have P 2 O 5 contents ranging from 4.5 to 32.4%. The economic potential of the mineralization is not signifi cant due to limited lateral and vertical continuity of the phosphate mineralization. So, in the study area, economically important phosphate deposit is not expected.