Resumen de Characterization of the Antalya (Turkey) tufa deposits
Carbonate rocks in Antalya (Turkey) which have previously been called travertine should, because of their biogenic origin and deposition in a cool-water regime, be termed tufa. Tufas in Antalya are the products of physico-chemical and biogenic precipitation. In the biogenic process, precipitation was caused by decreasing partial pressure of CO2 via photosynthesis of algae or bacteria. Following precipitation, the tufas underwent meteoric-vadose cementation and diagenesis. The Antalya tufa basin consists of horizontally-bedded carbonate sediments which are end products of a lacustrine depositional environment. However, a perched springline system has played an important role, serving as a starting point for calcium-carbonate precipitation. The morphology of tufa coastal cliffs is controlled by sea erosion. Thus, terraced morphology, except for small areas (e.g., Masadagi), should be considered a result of erosion. In this study, tufa deposits of Antalya were characterized with respect to mineralogy, sedimentology and surface morphology. In addition, for the future multidisciplinary needs (engineering and environmental) other aspects on tufa formation are discussed.
