Cementation characteristics and age of beachrocks in a fresh-water environment, Lake Iznik, NW Turkey

Abstract

This paper focuses on the cement characteristics and optical luminescence age of late Pleistocene-Holocene beachrock, exposed on the southeast shore of freshwater Lake Iznik in northwest Turkey, based on field observations, various spectroscopic analyses and optical dating results. The studied beachrock is a poorly-sorted coastal conglomerate composed mostly of gravels derived from surrounding volcanic rocks and marbles as well as quartz and carbonate grains. We identified different types of cements; dominated by micritic envelopes, bladed isopachous aragonite rims, void fills, radial aggregates and meniscus bridges, implying no single origin. Cementation characteristics indicate that marine-like cement micro-fabrics may occur in freshwater lake environments where the lake-water chemistry favors carbonate precipitation. OSL data revealed the existence of older beachrock dating back to 20.2 ka, together with younger Holocene-age beachrock of between 5.6 and 2.4 ka. This suggests that younger beachrocks have been superimposed on older cemented carbonates through the removal of carbonates by wave motion (splash and spray) during lower lake level conditions.