Clay minerals, delta C-13 values, pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs as palaeoenviromental and palaeoclimatic indicators in Pliocene sediments of central Anatolia, Turkey

The Çankiri Basin is one of the largest Cenozoic basins in Central Anatolia, Turkey and contains possible economic hydrocarbon and evaporite reserves. Gypsum is the dominant mineral in the evaporite-bearing Pliocene deposits of the Çankiri Basin. In claystones, the abundance of smectite, dolomite, illite/mica and chlorite in association with minor amounts of mixed-layer chlorite-smectite, mica-vermiculite, amphibole, serpentine, quartz and feldspar together indicate an alkaline environment. Minor kaolinite is also present in some clay samples. Smectite is both detrital and authigenic. Palynological analysis revealed the existence of a mixed forest (Pinus, Cathaya, Tsuga, Cedrus, Abies, Quercus, Ulmus, Juglans, Pterocarya, Acer, Carya, Carpinus, Fagus) dominated by Pinus with a widespread herbaceous understory (Poaceae) interspersed sparsely with open areas occupied by Asteraceae. This flora reflects warm-temperate and humid climatic condition. ?13C analyses have shown that the vegetation was dominated by C3 plants. © 2017 The Mineralogical Society.