Abstract

Mesozoic carbonates are widespread in the Antalya region of south-west Turkey and have been studied in the outcrop. Mesozoic units include a Jurrasic/Cretaceous sequence that comprises, from bottom to top, the following stratigraphic sequence: BeydaÄŸları Formation (Jurrasic-Cretaceous) and ÇiÄŸdemtepe Formation (Senonian). Detailed data from thick Mesozoic carbonates (BeydaÄŸları and ÇiÄŸdemtepe Formations) made it possible to construct an organic facies framework using different zonations. Organic matter is composed predominantly of amorphous material, with a minor contribution of allochthonous terrestrial material. Kerogen in the deposite is primarily type II/III, as indicated by organic petrographic observations and Rock-Eval data. Total organic carbon content (TOC) of this deposit is less than 0.5% in different zonations of the BeydaÄŸları and ÇiÄŸdemtepe Formations. Tmax values vary between 332 and 535°C, confirming the increase in maturation trends indicated by Rock-Eval data. Both organic petrographic and geochemical maturation parameters place the Mesozoic carbonates of the western Taurides (Antalya-SW Turkey) region within C-CD organic facies. According to this, the different types of kerogen observed fall dominantly in the C facies, with a poor capacity for liquid hydrocarbon generation. When seen in Mesozoic BeydaÄŸları carbonates, the organic matter is highly oxidized.

Key words: Western Taurus, organic facies, source rock, Mesozoic.