| Title | Origin of Critical Raw Minerals (CRM) in a Metamorphosed Flysch Geothermal System: A Case Study from Seferihisar, Western Anatolia |
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| Authors | Alper Baba, Tolga Ayzit, Franziska Wilke, Martin Zimmer, Andri Stefánsson, Michael Bau, Lukas Klose |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | The geothermal belts in Western Anatolia have been formed by recent tectonic and volcanic activity and are important both in terms of renewable energy production and CRM potential. In active hydrothermal systems characterized by high heat flow and where complex metamorphic and volcanic lithologies interact, understanding the transport of CRM to the surface by geothermal fluids requires a detailed analysis of the interaction processes between geothermal water and rocks. The extensional tectonics of western Anatolia facilitate the circulation of fluids at depth and the transport of fluids from deep volcanic or metasomatic sources to higher levels through this circulation, which is controlled by faulting. The transition zones between serpentinite and spilite are characterised by surface areas with low reactivity, which are associated with deeper, more reactive environments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the origin and potential of critical elements associated with their geologic context by analyzing water and flysch samples from geothermal production wells in the Seferihisar region. The water samples collected in the designated area were analyzed for lithium (Li): 14.1 ppm; boron (B): 19 ppm; cesium (Cs): 2.4 ppm; rubidium (Rb): 7.1 ppm. The geochemical system is complex, with elements such as Li, B, Cs and Rb being mobilized from feldspar and mica sources. This study demonstrates that metamorphosed foliation and spilite units, especially those with high feldspar content, play an essential role for the development of geothermal fluids that could be harnessed for CRM production |