Formation of “Southern Component Water” in the Late Cretaceous: Evidence from Nd-isotopes

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Research Article| October 01, 2010 Formation of “Southern Component Water” in the Late Cretaceous: Evidence from Nd-isotopes Stuart A. Robinson; Stuart A. Robinson * 1Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK *E-mail: stuart.robinson@ucl.ac.uk. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Daniel P. Murphy; Daniel P. Murphy 2Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Derek Vance; Derek Vance 3Bristol Isotope Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Deborah J. Thomas Deborah J. Thomas 2Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2010) 38 (10): 871–874. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31165.1 Article history received: 01 Mar 2010 rev-recd: 05 May 2010 accepted: 06 May 2010 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 Stuart A. Robinson, Daniel P. Murphy, Derek Vance, Deborah J. Thomas; Formation of “Southern Component Water” in the Late Cretaceous: Evidence from Nd-isotopes. Geology 2010;; 38 (10): 871–874. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31165.1 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 Constraining deep-ocean circulation during past greenhouse climatic periods, such as the Cretaceous, is important for understanding meridional heat transfer processes, controls on ocean anoxia, and the relative roles of climate and tectonics in determining paleocirculation patterns. Ocean circulation models for the Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene suggest that significant deep-water production occurred in the Southern Ocean, but cannot constrain when this process commenced or what the temporal relationship was between opening tectonic gateways and Late Cretaceous climatic cooling. Nd-isotope data obtained from biogenic apatite (fish teeth and bones) are presented from lower bathyal and abyssal sites in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. During the mid-Cretaceous, relatively radiogenic Nd-isotope values suggest that deep-water circulation in these basins was sluggish with inputs likely dominated by seawater-particle exchange processes and, possibly, easily weathered volcanic terranes. In the Campanian–Maastrichtian the Nd-isotopic composition of proto-Indian and South Atlantic deep waters became less radiogenic, suggesting the onset of deep-water formation in the Southern Ocean (Southern Component Water, SCW), consistent with Paleogene reconstructions and ocean circulation models. A combination of Southern Hemisphere cooling and the opening of tectonic gateways during the Campanian likely drove the onset of SCW. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.