Tectonic and karstic effects on the western Taurus region, southwestern Turkey: Relations to the present temperature gradients and total organic carbon content

The western Taurus region is one of the promising hydrocarbon provinces and the largest karstic terrain of Turkey. The Mesozoic Beydaglari units depos ited in the study area are composed mainly of a carbonate succession which has potential hydrocarbon source rock of various ages. To confirm the tecto nic and karstic influence on the regional temperature gradient and total or ganic carbon content, subsurface data obtained from four drillholes, and th e results of the surface samples and water samples analyses, were used The low salinity values (less than 2500 mg / liter) of the formation water and the measured hole temperatures, indicate the presence of the meteoric water circulation in the geologic section. Since the Late Miocene, intensive tec tonic deformations and karstification have provided the development of the aquifer characteristics of the Beydaglari units. Water circulation in the a quifer system has influenced the total organic carbon content and karstic c onduits within carbonates.