An Example of Hydromagnesite Distribution Mapping: Akgöl (Türkiye, Burdur)

This study investigates the spatial distribution of the hydromagnesite (HM) mineral in Akgöl, a closed basin located in the arid southwestern region of Türkiye, through the integration of geochemical analyses and remote sensing techniques. A total of 70 sediment samples were analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and spectroradiometry to determine their mineralogical composition. The resulting data were integrated with ASTER satellite imagery, and mineral distribution maps were generated across 13,293 pixels using multiple linear regression and Kriging interpolation techniques within the ArcGIS environment. The findings indicate that hydromagnesite is predominantly concentrated in the central part of the lake, where it represents the dominant mineral phase in contrast to lower concentrations observed along the periphery. The endorheic nature of Akgöl is comparable to other saline lakes with similar geological and climatic settings, such as Salda and Acıgöl, supporting the applicability of this methodological approach to mineral exploration in other arid and semi-arid environments. The study contributes not only to the regional assessment of mineral potential but also to the advancement of remote sensing and GIS-based analytical methods in geoscientific research.