Constraints on Pennsylvanian glacioeustatic sea-level changes using oxygen isotopes of conodont apatite

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2006 Constraints on Pennsylvanian glacioeustatic sea-level changes using oxygen isotopes of conodont apatite Michael M. Joachimski; Michael M. Joachimski 1Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen, Schlossgarten 5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peter H. von Bitter; Peter H. von Bitter 2Department of Natural History, Palaeobiology Section, Royal Ontario Museum, and Department of Geology, University of Toronto, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto M5S 2C6, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Werner Buggisch Werner Buggisch 3Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen, Schlossgarten 5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Michael M. Joachimski 1Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen, Schlossgarten 5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Peter H. von Bitter 2Department of Natural History, Palaeobiology Section, Royal Ontario Museum, and Department of Geology, University of Toronto, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto M5S 2C6, Canada Werner Buggisch 3Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen, Schlossgarten 5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 24 Aug 2005 Revision Received: 05 Dec 2005 Accepted: 14 Dec 2005 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2006) 34 (4): 277–280. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22198.1 Article history Received: 24 Aug 2005 Revision Received: 05 Dec 2005 Accepted: 14 Dec 2005 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Michael M. Joachimski, Peter H. von Bitter, Werner Buggisch; Constraints on Pennsylvanian glacioeustatic sea-level changes using oxygen isotopes of conodont apatite. Geology 2006;; 34 (4): 277–280. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22198.1 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 Conodonts from U.S. Midcontinent cyclothems were studied for oxygen isotopes in order to constrain Pennsylvanian glacioeustatic sea-level fluctuations. Pennsylvanian deposits of the Midcontinent United States are composed of cyclic alternations of thin transgressive limestones, offshore gray to black phosphatic shales, and thick regressive limestones, a sequence that is underlain and overlain by nearshore to terrestrial shales with paleosols and coal beds. Glacioeustatic sea-level fluctuations are considered the primary cause for the formation of these cyclothems. Oxygen isotope analyses of conodont apatite from the black (20.1 ± 0.5‰, Vienna standard mean ocean water [VSMOW]) and gray shale units (20.5 ± 0.5‰, VSMOW) show lowest average δ18O values, whereas conodont elements from the regressive (21.0 ± 0.3‰, VSMOW) and transgressive limestone units (21.1 ± 0.6‰, VSMOW) are enriched in 18O. The maximum change in δ18O of conodonts from the black shale and carbonate units from individual cyclothems is 1.7‰. The 1.7‰ difference in δ18O compares relatively well to Pleistocene interglacial-glacial changes in δ18O of equatorial surface-dwelling foraminifers and suggests that Pennsylvanian glacioeustatic sea-level changes may have been of comparable amplitude. However, since the Pennsylvanian glacial maxima are represented by terrestrial sediments and are not documented in the conodont oxygen isotope record, Pennsylvanian glacioeustatic sea-level changes were probably larger than the 120 m fluctuations recorded for the Pleistocene glaciations. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.