Paleoelevation records from lipid biomarkers: Application to the tropical Andes

Abstract

Research Article| November 01, 2015 Paleoelevation records from lipid biomarkers: Application to the tropical Andes Veronica J. Anderson; Veronica J. Anderson † 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA †E-mail: v.anderson@utexas.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Joel E. Saylor; Joel E. Saylor 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Timothy M. Shanahan; Timothy M. Shanahan 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brian K. Horton Brian K. Horton 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Veronica J. Anderson † 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA Joel E. Saylor 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA Timothy M. Shanahan 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA Brian K. Horton 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA †E-mail: v.anderson@utexas.edu Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 28 Mar 2014 Revision Received: 11 Jan 2015 Accepted: 15 Mar 2015 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 © 2015 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2015) 127 (11-12): 1604–1616. https://doi.org/10.1130/B31105.1 Article history Received: 28 Mar 2014 Revision Received: 11 Jan 2015 Accepted: 15 Mar 2015 First Online: 08 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 Veronica J. Anderson, Joel E. Saylor, Timothy M. Shanahan, Brian K. Horton; Paleoelevation records from lipid biomarkers: Application to the tropical Andes. GSA Bulletin 2015;; 127 (11-12): 1604–1616. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B31105.1 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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract New results from two novel lipid biomarker–based proxies help to constrain the late Cenozoic surface elevation history of the Eastern Cordillera in the tropical northern Andes of Colombia. Previous well-known studies have suggested rapid latest Miocene–Pliocene (6–3 Ma) uplift on the basis of an abrupt shift in pollen species assemblages within sedimentary basin fill of the elevated Bogotá Plateau. From resampling of these original study localities, we provide a revised chronology based on magnetic polarity stratigraphy, and we evaluate paleotemperatures using the MBT′/CBT indices (methylation of branched tetraethers/cyclization of branched tetraethers) and hydrogen isotopic composition (δD) of leaf waxes as two independent proxies of past surface elevation. Reconstructed paleotemperatures from the MBT′/CBT proxy show a more gradual cooling trend from ca. 7.6 Ma to present, consistent with less than 1000 m of elevation gain since latest Miocene–Pliocene time and in agreement with geologic evidence for accelerated shortening and exhumation at this time. The leaf wax isotopic data, on the other hand, lack a systematic trend, potentially due to fractionation changes associated with uplift-induced turnover in floral populations. Such changes could obscure isotopic variations in meteoric water, suggesting that leaf-wax isotopic compositions may not provide a direct proxy for elevation in this particular situation involving uplift in a heterogeneous tropical environment. More promising in this case is the MBT′/CBT proxy, which may offer a suitable alternative to carbonate-based paleoelevation proxies in tropical regions where year-round high precipitation rates prevent formation of soil carbonates. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.