Catastrophic extinction of planktonic foraminifera at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary evidenced by stable isotopes and foraminiferal abundance at Caravaca, Spain

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 1999 Catastrophic extinction of planktonic foraminifera at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary evidenced by stable isotopes and foraminiferal abundance at Caravaca, Spain Kunio Kaiho; Kunio Kaiho 1Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marcos A. Lamolda Marcos A. Lamolda 2Paleontologia Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Pais Vasco, 48940 Lejona, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kunio Kaiho 1Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan Marcos A. Lamolda 2Paleontologia Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Pais Vasco, 48940 Lejona, Spain Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1999) 27 (4): 355–358. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0355:CEOPFA>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Kunio Kaiho, Marcos A. Lamolda; Catastrophic extinction of planktonic foraminifera at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary evidenced by stable isotopes and foraminiferal abundance at Caravaca, Spain. Geology 1999;; 27 (4): 355–358. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0355:CEOPFA>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We present data demonstrating constant δ13C values in 12 common planktonic foraminiferal species, which constitute >99% of the total specimens (>63 mu m) in assemblages collected across the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary at Caravaca, Spain. These latter values are in contrast to a rapid reduction in δ13C in samples of the fine fraction of carbonate at the K-T boundary and a subsequent negative shift of δ13C of a benthic foraminiferal species. These results indicate that the post–K-T occurrences of Cretaceous planktonic species in lower Danian sediments at Caravaca are the result of reworking. Rapid decreases in the percentage abundance of well-preserved specimens and in the number of specimens per gram of carbonate for the same 12 species at the K-T boundary also suggest reworking and abrupt extinction at the K-T boundary. Our data imply that sudden changes occurred within the pelagic ecosystem during the K-T boundary event. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.