Staff Profile

Background

I obtained my BSc degree in Geological Engineering from Hacettepe University (Ankara, Turkey) in 2003. This was followed by MSc and PhD studies in Osmangazi University (Eskisehir, Turkey), focusing on the evolution of sedimentary basins and their infills. These studies mainly focused on Neogene terrestrial infill of graben systems in western Anatolia (MSc) and Late Cretaceous deep-marine sediments of NW Turkey (PhD). The latter has also incorporated the control of sea-level fluctuations and palaeoceanography conditions on sedimentation. 

In 2012, I have moved to Lincoln, UK to join an oil and gas consultancy company (Badley Ashton), where my work wasfocused on evolution of pore systems in clastic petroleum reservoirs.

Currently I am working on grain-organic matter interaction, clay coat formation, organic matter distribution in turbiditic systems. 

As a geologist, I am interested in the various aspects and the evolution of clastic sedimentary systems - including their depositional processes, interaction with the depositional environment and ecology as well as the post depositional diagenetic alterations. Currently I am focusing on organic carbon transport in turbiditic systems, pore scale evolution after deposition and organic matter influence on clay coat formation 

Current Projects and PhD students

• How efficient is organic carbon burial in deep-water sediments after the extreme glacial lake outburst flood in Elliott Creek (BC, Canada) - Principle Investigator - UKRI Project code: NE/W000601/1 

Previously Involved Research Projects

• 2009-2011: Palaeoclimatic investigation of Sunnet Lake lacustrine archives in NW Anatolia with sedimentological, geochemical and palaeoecological tools. – Funded by Scientific Research Council - Eskisehir Osmangazi University

• 2007-2009: Investigation of Cretaceous – Tertiary succession at Central Sakarya Region in terms of source area and palaeoclimatology - Funded by Scientific Research Council - Eskisehir Osmangazi University
• 2007-2010: Desertification, mitigation and remediation of land – DESIRE / EU- FP6
• 2005-2007: Sequence stratigraphy of the Late Cretaceous – Palaeogene deposits at the Central Sakarya region (NW Anatolia) – Funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)
• 2004-2006: Stratigraphic, sedimentologic and tectonic evolution of the Karacasu and Bozdogan Cross Grabens (West Anatolia) - Funded by Scientific Research Council - Eskisehir Osmangazi University

• Articles

  • Li F, Chen Z, Acikalin S, Ogg JG, Flynn S, Liu G, Zhang P, Wang J, Chen A, Hou M. Storm deposit characteristics and orbital cyclicity of the Early Devonian Xiejiawan Formation in the Longmenshan area, Sichuan Province, China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2025, 664, 112792.
  • Bailey LP, Shugar DH, Tilston M, Hubbard SM, Giesbrecht I, Del Bel Belluz J, Jackson JM, Clare MA, Cartigny MJ, Acikalin S, Hage S, Talling PJ, Basiuk H, Menounos B, Geertsema M. Land‐to‐sea sediment fluxes from a major glacial lake outburst flood were stepped rather than instantaneous. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 2025, 140(4), e2024JF008126.
  • Robinson AD, Acikalin S, Stewart G, Bishop B, Robbins LJ, Flynn S. Understanding the Li resource of granite hosted geothermal brines using near surface measurements. EarthArXiv 2024. Submitted.
  • Bailey L, Shugar DH, Tilston M, Hubbard SM, Giesbrecht IJW, Del Bel Belluz J, Jackson JM, Clare MA, Cartigny MJB, Acikalin S, Hage S, Talling P, Basiuk H, Menounos B, Geertsema M. Land-to-Sea Sediment Fluxes from a Major Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Were Stepped Rather Than Instantaneous. ESS Open Archive 2024. Submitted.
  • Hage S, Baker ML, Babonneau N, Soulet G, Dennielou B, Jacinto RS, Hilton RG, Galy V, Baudin F, Rabouille C, Vic C, Sahin S, Acikalin S, Talling PJ. How is particulate organic carbon transported through the river-fed submarine Congo Canyon to the deep sea?. Biogeosciences 2024, 21(19), 4251-4272.
  • Baker ML, Hage S, Talling PJ, Acikalin S, Hilton RG, Haghipour N, Ruffell SC, Pope EL, Jacinto RS, Clare MA, Sahin S. Globally significant mass of terrestrial organic carbon efficiently transported by canyon-flushing turbidity currents. Geology 2024, 52(8), 631-636.
  • Walker J, Emmings JF, Acikalin S, Flynn S, van der Land C, Jones M, Vane CH, Hennissen JAI, Hough E, Wagner T, Craddock L. Cross-basin Mo and U analysis of the Upper Mississippian Bowland Shale, UK. Geological Society Special Publication 2024, 534(1), 147-164.
  • Ozsayin W, Dirik K, Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Selcuk AS. Tectonic geomorphology of Bozdoğan and Karacasu grabens, western Anatolia. Geologica Acta 2023, 21(1), 1-14.
  • Ocakoglu F, Topcu S, Acikalin S, Erayik C, Kir O. Dynamics and a Hydraulic-Soil Mechanical Model for Pockmarks in a Mud-draped Lake: Lake Sünnet (NW Anatolia). Geologica Acta 2023, 21(11), 1-11.
  • Hage S, Galy VV, Cartigny MJB, Heerema C, Heijnen MS, Acikalin S, Clare MA, Giesbrecht I, Gröcke DR, Hendry A, Hilton RG, Hubbard SM, Hunt JE, Lintern DG, McGhee C, Parsons DR, Pope EL, Stacey CD, Sumner EJ, Tank S, Talling PJ. Turbidity currents can dictate organic carbon fluxes across river‐fed fjords: An example from Bute Inlet (BC, Canada). Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences 2022, 127(6), e2022JG006824.
  • Ocakoglu F, Akbulut A, Donmez EO, Tuncer A, Tunoglu C, Acikalin S, Erayik C. Lowstand lake conditions in NW Anatolia during the Little Ice Age: Multi-proxy evidence from Lake Sünnet. The Holocene 2022, 32(9), 935-949.
  • Hage S, Galy V, Cartigny MJB, Heerema C, Heijnen MS, Acikalin S, Clare MA, Giesbrecht IJW, Gröcke DR, Hendry A, Hilton RG, Hubbard SM, Hunt JE, Lintern G, McGhee C, Parsons DR, Pope EL, Stacey CD, Sumner EJ, Tank S, Talling P. How turbidity currents dictate organic carbon fluxes across river-fed fjords. ESS Open Archive 2022. Submitted.
  • Pope LE, Cartigny MJB, Clare MA, Talling PJ, Lintern DG, Vellinga A, Hage S, Acikalin S, Bailey L, Chapplow N, Chen Y, Eggenhuisen JT, Hendry A, Heerema CJ, Heijnen MS, Hubbard SM, Hunt JE, McGhee C, Parsons DR, Simmons SM, Stacey CD, Vendettuoli D. First source-to-sink monitoring shows dense head controls sediment flux and runout in turbidity currents. Science Advances 2022, 8(20), eabj3220.
  • Bello AM, Charlaftis D, Jones SJ, Gluyas J, Acikalin S, Cartigny M, Al-Ramadan K. Experimental diagenesis using present-day submarine turbidite sands. Frontiers in Earth Science 2022, 10, 952690.
  • McGhee C, Muhammed D, Simon N, Acikalin S, Utley JEP, Griffiths J, Wooldridge L, Verhagen ITE, van der Land C, Worden RH. Stratigraphy and sedimentary evolution of a modern macro-tidal incised valley: An analogue for reservoir facies and architecture. Sedimentology 2021, 69(2), 696-723.
  • Bello AM, Jones S, Gluyas J, Acikalin S, Cartigny M. Role played by clay content in controlling reservoir quality of submarine fan system, Forties Sandstone Member, Central Graben, North Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology 2021, 128, 105058.
  • Charlaftis D, Jones SJ, Dobson KJ, Crouch J, Acikalin S. Experimental study of chlorite authigenesis and influence on porosity maintenance in sandstones. Journal of Sedimentary Research 2021, 91(2), 197-212.
  • Hage S, Galy VV, Cartigny MBJ, Acikalin S, Clare MA, Grocke DR, Hilton RG, Hunt JE, Lintern DG, McGhee CA, Parsons DR, Stacey CD, Sumner EJ, Talling PJ. Efficient preservation of young terrestrial organic carbon in sandy turbidity-current deposits. Geology 2020, 48(9), 882-887.
  • Ocakoglu F, Hakyemez A, Acikalin S, Ozkan Altiner S, Buyukmeric Y, Licht A, Demircan H, Safak U, Yildiz A, Yilmaz IO, Wagreich M, Campbell C. Chronology of subduction and collision along the İzmir-Ankara suture in Western Anatolia: records from the Central Sakarya Basin. International Geology Review 2018, 61(10), 1244-1269.
  • Vellekoop J, Woelders L, Acikalin S, Smit J, van de Schootbrugge B, Yilmaz IÖ, Brinkhuis H, Speijer PR. Ecological response to collapse of the biological pump following the mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. Biogeosciences 2017, 14, 885-900.
  • Acikalin S, Ocakoglu F, Yilmaz IO, Vonhof H, Hakyemez A, Smit J. Stable isotopes and geochemistry of a Campanian-Maastrichtian pelagic succession, Mudurnu–Göynük Basin, NW Turkey: Implications for palaeoceanography, palaeoclimate and sea-level fluctuations. Palaeoceanography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2016, 441(Part 3), 453-466.
  • Salvati L, Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Acikalin S, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Chaker M, Fassouli V, Gokceoglu C, Gungor H, Hessel R, Khatteli H, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ritsema C, Sghaier M, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, deVente J, Kelly C, Colantoni A, Carlucci M. Assessing the effectiveness of sustainable land management policies for combating desertification: A data mining approach. Journal of Environmental Management 2016, 183(Part 3), 754-762.
  • Ocakoglu F, Oybak-Donmez E, Akbulut A, Tunoglu C, Kir O, Acikalin S, Erayik C, Yilmaz IO, Leroy S. A 2800-year multi-proxy sedimentary record of climate change from lake Çubuk (Göynük, Bolu, NW Anatolia). The Holocene 2016, 26(2), 205-221.
  • Salvati L, Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Acikalin S, Belgacem A, Sole-Benet A, Chaker M, Fassouli V, Gokceoglu C, Gungor H, Hessel R, Khatteli H, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ritsema C, Sghaier M, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, deVente J. Unveiling soil degradation and desertification risk in the Mediterranean basin: a data mining analysis of the relationships between biophysical and socioeconomic factors in agro-forest landscapes. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 2015, 58(10), 1789-1803.
  • Ventra D, Cartigny MJB, Bijkerk JF, Acikalin S. Supercritical-flow structures on a Late Carboniferous delta front: Sedimentological and paleoclimatic significance. Geology 2015, 43(8), 731-734.
  • Safak U, Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S. Ostracoda assemblage and the environmental characteristics of the Eocene Succession of the Central Sakarya Region. Micropaleontology 2015, 61(1-2), 49-68.
  • Acikalin S, Vellokoop J, Yilmaz IO, Ocakoglu F, Smit J, Altiner SO, Goderis S, Vonhof H, Speijer R, Woelders L, Fornaciari E, Brinkhuis H. Geochemical and palaeontological characterization of a new K-Pg Boundary locality from the Northern branch of Neo-Tethys: Mudurnu-Göynük Basin, NW Turkey. Cretaceous Research 2015, 52(Part A), 251-267.
  • Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Acikalin S, Alcalá M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Darkohd M, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fernandez F, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pozo A, Prat C, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Ritsema C, Romanenko V, Sebega R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, deVente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Salvati L. An exploratory analysis of land abandonment drivers in areas prone to desertification. Catena 2015, 128, 252-261.
  • Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Ozsayin E, Dirik RK. Tectonosedimentary evolution of the Karacasu and Bozdogan basins in the Central Menderes Massif, W Anatolia. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences 2014, 23(4), 361-382.
  • Kairis O, Kosmas C, Karavitis C, Ritsema C, Salvati L, Acikalin S, Alcala M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Sole-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Coelho C, Darkoh M, Diamantis I, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fei W, Feng J, Fernandez F, Ferreira A, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Juying J, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Lollino P, Lopes M, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Morais P, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pliakas F, Polemio M, Pozo A, Prat C, Qinke Y, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Romanenkov V, Rui L, Santaloia F, Sebego R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Soares J, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, Torri D, Ungaro F, Valente S, deVente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Zhonging W, Ziogas A. Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: Types of degradation, causes and implications for management. Environmental Management 2014, 54(5), 971-982.
  • Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Ritsema C, Salvati L, Acikalin S, Alcala M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Sole-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Coelho C, Darkoh M, Diamantis I, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fei W, Feng J, Fernandez F, Ferreira A, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Juying J, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Lollino P, Lopes M, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Morais P, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pliakas F, Polemio M, Pozo A, Prat C, Qinke Y, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Romanenkov V, Rui L, Santaloia F, Sebego R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Soares J, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, Torri D, Ungaro F, Valente S, deVente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Zhonging W, Ziogas A. Evaluation and Selection of Indicators for Land Degradation and Desertification Monitoring: Methodological Approach. Environmental Management 2014, 54(5), 951-970.
  • Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Gunes G, Ozkes S, Dirik K, Ozsayin E. Was the 1899 Menderes Valley earthquake a double earthquake? Historical and paleoseismological constrains. Journal of Asian Earth Science 2013, 67-68, 187-198.
  • Ocakoglu F, Kir O, Yilmaz IO, Acikalin S, Erayik C, Tunoglu C, Leroy SAG. Early to Mid-Holocene lake level and temperature records from terraces of Lake Sunnet in NW Turkey. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2013, 369, 175-184.
  • Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Yilmaz IO, Safak U, Gokceoglu C. Evidence of orbital forcing in lake-level fluctuations in the Middle Eocene oil shale-bearing lacustrine successions in the Mudurnu-Göynük Basin, NW Anatolia (Turkey). Journal of Asian Erath Sciences 2012, 56, 54-71.
  • Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S. Field evidences of secondary surface ruptures occurred during the 20 February 1956 Eskişehir earthquake in the NW Anatolia. Journal of Earth System Science 2010, 119 (6), 1-11.
  • Yilmaz IO, Altiner D, Tekin UK, Tuysuz O, Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S. Cenomanian – Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE2) in the Sakarya Zone, northwestern Turkey: Sedimentological, cyclostratigraphic, and geochemical records. Cretaceous Research 2010, 31 (2), 207-226.
  • Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S. Late Pleistocene fault-induced uplift and consequent fluvial response in Eskişehir Fault Zone, NW Anatolia -->. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 2009, 53 (1), 121-136.
  • Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Gokceoglu C, Karabacak V, Cherkinsky A. A multistory gigantic subaerial debris flow in an active fault scarp in NW Anatolia, Turkey: anatomy, mechanism and timing. The Holocene 2009, 19 (6), 955-965.
  • Zorku K, Gokceoglu C, Ocakoglu F, Nefeslioglu H, Acikalin S. Prediction of uniaxial compressive strength of sandstones using petrography-based models. Engineering Geology 2008, 96 (3-4), 141-158.
  • Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Gokceoglu C, Nefeslioglu HA, Sonmez H. Back-analysis of the source of the 1956 Eskisehir Earthquake using attenuation equation and damage data. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 2007, 66 (3), 353-360.