Source rock characteristics of Eocene bituminous shales and the effect of redox conditions on source rock potential, Nallihan (Ankara) Central Anatolian Basin

Eocene bituminous shales within the Cąmalan Formation of Paleocene-Eocene aged Kizilcąy Group exposing around Tekirler (Nallihan, Ankara), central Anatolia, were deposited under oxic and suboxic redox conditions and have Corg values in the range of 2.37 to 12.42 wt% (average 6.32 wt%). Samples are represented by Type-I kerogen and their maturity level is immature-early mature. Eocene bituminous shales are enriched in some major and trace elements, such as Ca, Mg, Si, Na, K, V, Ni, U, Th, P, S, Mo, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, Pb, Au, Ag, As, Re, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Li, Sm, and Y. Paleoredox indicators (e.g., V/(V+Ni), Ni/Co, U/Th, V/Sc, Mo/Mn) yield that Eocene bituminous shales were mostly deposited oxic-suboxic conditions.