The Relationship Between Hydrothermal Alteration and Element Accumulation in Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea L.): A Case Study from the Canca Hydrothermal Alteration Zone (Gümüşhane, Türkiye)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the element accumulation capability of oak trees, specifically focusing on their ability and characteristics to accumulate trace elements in the context of plants/trees in alteration zones. The Canca hydrothermal alteration zone (Gümüşhane, Türkiye) is located in Gümüşhane, one of Turkey's significant mining provinces, which hosts numerous mineralizations. The area has been subjected to intense hydrothermal alteration, making it particularly notable for signs of precious and base metal mineralization. Sessile oak (Quercus petraea L.) leaves were collected from the Canca hydrothermal alteration zone, and their analyses were conducted using MP-AES and ICP-MS. The trace element concentrations in the oak leaves were evaluated geostatistically, and the element distributions in the Canca area were examined using element distribution maps created by spatial geostatistical methods. When the findings were collectively evaluated, it was determined that the trace element contents in the oak leaves were generally higher than normal element contents, associated with the alteration in the area. Notably, a more significant enrichment of Mo, Cu, As, Zn, and Pb elements was found to be related to the alteration.