Stratigraphy of the Kizkalesi (Mersin) area and evaluation of the Karaisali limestone as marble

The study area is located N-NW of the Kızkalesi (Mersin), around Küçük Kale ruins. Miocene aged reefal Karaisalı limestone and Quaternary alluvium are cropped out in the region. Karaisalı limestone are divided into four main members in the study area. These are: porouse and massive biomicrite, massive biosparit, porouse lamellibranchia bearing biomicrosparit, Globigerinid bearing massive biomicrite members from base to top. Dirty white-beige coloured, middle-thick-massive bedded, rigid, sharp-edged, porous (moldic-vuggy), fossiliferous reefal carbonates of the Karaisalı limestone comprise some veins filled with calcite and lapies developed on the surface.As a result of this study petrographic determinations and basic engineering characteristics of the Karaisalı limestone were determined after field work observations, measurments and evaluations. According to the investigation results of limestone, it was seen that the marble has a Mohs hardness 3-3,5, beige coloured, 2,8 % of porosity, unit weight values 2,58 gr/cm3, density 2,68 gr/cm3, water absorption by weight 0,93%, water absorption by volume %1,76, uniaxial compressive strength: 42,68 MPa, point load of 28,58 kg/cm2 and these properties of the Karaisalı limestone are not suitable according to Turkish standarts. For this reason, these limestone marbles can be used as stablized or weak aggregate materials, natural building and covering stone, and restoration material for the historical buildings.Key Words: Stratigraphy, Marble, Carbonate, Kızkalesi (Mersin)