The origin of Miocene evaporites in the Tuz Golu basin (Central Anatolia, Turkey): Implications from strontium, sulfur and oxygen isotopic compositions of the Ca-Sulfate minerals

Sulfur, oxygen and strontium isotope compositions of the sulfate minerals (gypsum and anhydride) of the Miocene evaporites in the Tuz Golu basin which is the largest, closed and inner basin of Turkey located in the Central Anatolia, were investigated to evaluate the origin of the sulfates and interpret the precipitation paleo-environment. The isotopic, mineralogical and chemical properties and composition of the samples collected from drillings were investigated. The delta S-34(CDT) and delta O-18(SMOW) values of the sulfate minerals range from 18.78 to 35.90 parts per thousand and 7.55-22.57 parts per thousand, respectively. Most of the delta S-34 values are similar to marine (Messinian) water. In addition, the Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios of the minerals vary from 0.707803 to 0.708209.