Environmental change during the Late Famennian and Early Tournaisian (Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous): implications from stable isotopes and conodont biofacies in southern Europe

Abstract

AbstractA biostratigraphic correlation of the Devonian/Carboniferous (D/C) boundary sections from the Carnic Alps, the Graz Palaeozoic, the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees resulted in a high‐resolution record of the carbon isotopic composition of micrites (δ13Ccarb), of sedimentary organic matter (δ13Corg) and of oxygen isotope ratios of conodont apatite (δ18Ophosph). The studies focused on the interval between the Upper postera Zone (Late Famennian) and the sandbergi Zone (Lower Tournaisian). For the first time, weak but significant positive carbon isotope excursions in micrites and in the sedimentary organic matter is reported from the Middle and Upper expansa zones of the Carnic Alps. They coincide with a decrease in the oxygen isotope values of conodont apatite. The excursions indicate changes in the global carbon cycle during an episode of high seawater temperatures, and correlate with sedimentary change and a stepwise eustatic rise in the Rhenish Massif. High carbon isotope values were also measured in limestones from the Graz Palaeozoic in the Upper praesulcata Zone, which were previously reported from the Rhenish Massif, Carnic Alps, Montagne Noire and the North America continent. The change from a palmatolepid–polygnathid conodont biofacies to a palmatolepid–bispathodid–branmehlid biofacies in the expansa Zone in the Carnic Alps is obviously influenced by anoxic conditions and repeated transgressive phases. The protognathodids and the polygnathids start to radiate in the Upper praesulcata Zone, after the main end‐Famennian extinction episode. This is connected with the disappearance of the palmatolepids, and environmental stress created by worldwide anoxic conditions, climate change and sea‐level changes, stimulated the radiation of both protognathodids and the polygnathids. The regional correlation of the geochemical records as well as interpretations of these records on a global scale indicate that changes in conodont biofacies of Late Famennian–Early Tournaisian limestones were caused by a complex pattern of environmental changes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.