Characterization of antarctic micrometeorites by spectroscopic methods

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the mineralogical and chemical compositions of micrometeorites, separated from the frozen Antarctica sediments, using various spectroscopic methods, and to classify these grains by comparing them with other micrometeorites in the literatüre (TUBITAK 119N207 "Antarctic Meteorites and Micrometeorites" 1001-POLAR Project). In the first stage, detailed images of micrometeorites were made and they were classified by comparing them with other micrometeorites in the literature. Then, the mineral compositions of the micrometeorites were determined and their textural and petrographic examinations were completed. RAMAN spectroscopy analysis method was used to determine the mineral composition. The elemental compositions, trace and rare earth element concentrations of the micrometeorites were measured using the Laser Alation Inductive Coupled Plasma-Induced Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) method. Additionally, the internal structures of micrometeorites in the epoxy mount were examined using the Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) method. This study was carried out for the first time in Turkey due to its subject, and contributed to the literature by producing new data for micrometeorite research in Turkey.