The Origin and Geochemistry of the Kumluca Manganese Deposit in the South West, Antalya Province, Türkiye: Possibility of Derived Hydrothermal Fluids

Abstract Manganese is a versatile element that plays a vital role in both modern industrial activities (steel production, alloy manufacturing, battery production, chemical industry, water treatment, e.g.) and biological processes of human health (enzyme activation, bone health, antioxidant defense, blood sugar regulation, nervous system function, immune system, e.g.). This multifaceted role of manganese has generated significant interest in the scientific community. The objective of this study is twofold: first, to ascertain the mineralogical characteristics of manganese in the Kumluca district of Antalya province, Türkiye, and second, to identify the geologic sources that have contributed to the formation of this mineral deposit. In this context, detailed mineralogical and petrographic studies were carried out using the mineral samples collected from the study area. The results were assessed using geochemical and statistical methods. The thin sections obtained as part of the detailed mineralogical studies revealed chromite disseminations. According to the results of the XRD analysis, the minerals that constitute the ore are listed as follows: pyrolusite, psilomelane, manganite, cryptomelane, natrophillite, and todorokite. XRF analysis was performed on the samples collected from the study area to reveal the major oxide and trace element contents of the mineral samples. The mean values of some major oxides for manganese formations were found as follows: SiO 2 (66.78%), MnO (15.55%), Al 2 O 3 (1.31%), and Fe 2 O 3 (1.59%). Various geochemical diagrams were used to interpret the ore samples whose major oxide and trace elemental composition was determined by XRF analysis. Geochemical diagrams revealed that manganese samples were formed under the influence of hydrothermal fluids. Manganese, cryptomelane, pyrolusite, and psilomelane ore minerals were observed in the cracks and voids in the silicic matrix in the polished sections prepared as part of the petrographic studies. Moreover, silver disseminations were also detected in polished sections. According to the result of the study, it was revealed that the Kumluca manganese deposits were formed with an epigenetic source under the influence of hydrothermal fluids during the movement of the oceanic crust.