Stratigraphic and Geochemical Characteristics of Kulakçayiri Lake (Istanbul/Turkey) And Its Vicinity

Abstract

This study investigated the trace element potential of stratigraphic units in Kulakçayırı Lake and its vicinity, in Arnavutköy. In this context, trace element analysis was carried out using three drilling samples taken from Kulakçayırı Lake. In addition, grain size distribution analyses were performed to determine the lithological properties of the drilling samples in the stratigraphic sequence. At the base of the lake bed, there is a distribution of sediment consisting of clay from 3 to 6.5 m thick, and at deeper levels, clayey sand, or sandy clay. In the analyses, nineteen separate elements and CaO, TiO2 and Fe2O3 concentrations were determined using X-ray spectrometry methods. Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (WDXRF) was used for these measurements. As a result of the elemental analysis, heavy metals including cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and radioactive elements including uranium (U) and thorium (Th), were detected in the sediments. In addition, rare metals (lanthanum, cerium and neodymium) of the lanthanide group were also found. In particular, the elevation of the Pb concentration in the BH-1 drilling location is remarkable. This height is due to the sediment structure around the natural lake.