High-resolution isotope stratigraphy of the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary in the Namur–Dinant Basin, Belgium

Abstract

The Devonian–Carboniferous (D–C) boundary sequence of the Namur–Dinant Basin in southern Belgium consists of marine platform carbonates. Global biostratigraphic correlation of the boundary has been a dilemma due to the absence of index conodont zones. Despite the scarcity of brachiopods, we managed to sample twenty-five calcitic shells from boundary beds at the Royseux-Gare section, to reconstruct biochemostratigraphic profiles of oxygen-, carbon- and strontium-isotopes for correlations with established global counterparts. The δ 18O and δ 13C values of the well-preserved shells range from − 7.8 to − 6.3‰ VPDB (− 7.2 ± 0.4, n = 25) and from + 1.1 to + 2.4‰ VPDB (1.8 ± 0.3, n = 25), respectively. The shells also yielded 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios between 0.708185 and 0.708297. The Royseux isotope signatures are within the ranges documented for the global D–C boundary but their isotope profiles, however, show no significant shifts or excursions. Evaluation of the Royseux isotope profiles and correlation with their global counterparts may suggest a stratigraphic hiatus approximately from the middle Siphonodella praesulcata to the lower Siphonodella sulcata zones on the global D–C boundary conodont biostratigraphic scheme, while corresponding to the Hangenberg Event in Belgium.