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DOI

10.19111/bmre.05207

Abstract

The geometry, stratigraphy, tectonics and volcanic components of the borate bearing Neogene basins in western Anatolia offer some important insights into on the relationship between basin evolution, borate formation and mode of extension in western Anatolia. Some of the borate deposits in NE-SW trending basins developed along the ‹zmir-Bal›kesir Transfer Zone (‹BTZ) (e.g. Bigadiç, Sultançay›r and Kestelek basins), and other deposits in the NE-SW trending basins which occur on the northern side of the Menderes Core Complex (MCC) are The Selendi and Emet basins. The K›rka borate deposit occurs further to the east and is located in a completely different geological setting and volcanostratigraphic succession. Boron is widely distributed; including in soil and water, plants and animals. The element boron does not exist freely by itself in nature, but rather it occurs in combination with oxygen and other elements in salts, commonly known as borates. Approximately 280 boron-bearing minerals have been identified, the most common being sodium, calcium and magnesium salts. Four main continental metallogenic borate provinces are recognized at a global scale. They are located in Anatolia (Turkey), California (USA), Central Andes (South America) and Tibet (Central Asia). The origin of borate deposits is related to Cenozoic volcanism, thermal spring activity, closed basins and arid climate. Borax is the major commercial source of boron, with major supplies coming from Turkey, USA and Argentina. Colemanite is the main calcium borate and large scale production is restricted to Turkey. Datolite and szaibelyite are confined to Russia and Chinese sources. Four Main borax (tincal) deposits are present in Anatolia (K›rka), California (Boron), and two in the Andes (Tincalayu and Loma Blanca). K›rka, Boron and Loma Blanca have similarities with regard to their chemical and mineralogical composition of the borate minerals. Colemanite deposits with/without probertite and hydroboracite are present in west Anatolia, Death Valley, California, and Sijes (Argentina). Quaternary borates are present in salars (Andes) and playalakes and salt pans (USA-Tibet). Boron is a rare element in the Earth’s crust, but extraordinary concentrations can be found in limited places. The formation of borate deposits can be classified as follows: a skarn group associated with intrusives and consisting of silicates and iron oxides; a magnesium oxide group hosted by marine evaporitic sediments; and a sodium– and calcium–borate hydrates group associated with playa-lake sediments and explosive volcanic activity. Some conditions are essential for the formation of economically viable borate deposits in playa-lake volcano-sedimentary sequences: formation of playa-lake environment; concentration of boron in the playa lake, sourced from andesitic to rhyolitic volcanics, direct ash fall into the basin, or hydrothermal solutions along graben faults; thermal springs near the area of volcanism; arid to semi-arid climatic conditions; and lake water with a pH of between 8.5 and 11. A borate is defined as any compound that contains or supplies boric oxide (B2O3). A large number of minerals contain boric oxide, but the three that are most important from a worldwide commercial standpoint are borax, ulexite, and colemanite, which are produced in a limited number of countries. Turkey has the largest borax, ulexite and colemanite reserves in the world and all the world’s countries are dependent upon the colemanite and ulexite reserves of Turkey. Most of the world’s commercial borate deposits are mined by open pit methods. Brines from Searles Lake, and presumably the Chinese sources, are recovered by either controlled evaporation or carbonation. Boric acid is one of the final products produced from most of the processes. Further research on the mineralogy and chemistry of borate minerals and associated minerals will the production and utilization of borate end-products. Many modern industries need industrial borate minerals, and many people use their products. In addition, boron is essential to plant life, and by extension, all life so it’s hard to imagine our world without using it. Therefore, borates and their products are critical to the Sustainable Development of the world.

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