Paleoenvironmental significance of the carbon isotope record across the Cenomanian–Turonian transition and the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) in the southeastern Neotethys, Zagros, Iran

Abstract

A high–resolution carbon isotope record of pelagic carbonates (δ13Ccarb) from the Zagros Mountains, Iran, documents a 1.8‰ positive carbon isotope excursion (CIE) in the southeastern Neotethys during the Cenomanian–Turonian transition, corresponding to Ocean Anoxic Event (OAE2). The succession is controlled by biostratigraphy that includes the Rotalipora cushmani, Whiteinella archaeocretacea, and Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica biozones. The CIE is characterized by a positive shift culminating in a first positive peak (at 3.3‰), followed by a 1‰ negative excursion, accompanied by the highest δ18Ocarb values that can be interpreted as the result of a short–lived global cooling, the Plenus Cold Event. A subsequent second positive peak and a plateau of higher δ18Ocarb values are followed by relatively low values in the earliest Turonian akin to pre–excursion values. The biostratigraphic positions of the three diagnostic maximum points, referred to as peaks A, B, and C, within the generally positive CIE indicate a synchronous δ13Ccarb variability worldwide. The average δ13Ccarb values in southeastern Neotethys are generally lower compared to the open–ocean records of the same period. We attribute this offset to a substantial regional regression combined with recycling of isotopically light organic carbon. The diachronous deposition of black shales/mudstones after the onset of positive CIE suggests that its formation strongly depends on local paleogeography and paleoenvironmental factors.