Strontium isotope stratigraphic insights on the end-Permian mass extinction and the Permian-Triassic boundary in the Dolomites (Italy)

Abstract

The Dolomites (Southern Alps, Italy) is a most significant region to investigate the evolution of shallow-marine ecosystems during the end-Permian mass extinction (EPME). Shallow-marine ecosystems are complex places from an oceanographic viewpoint and combine high biological productivity and ecological diversity. Therefore, establishing the timing and correlation of globally recognisable events in this region are fundamental to interpreting the biological crisis that followed.We took advantage of the Strontium Isotope Stratigraphy (SIS) concept to correlate our stratigraphic succession, ranging from the upper Bellerophon (Bulla Member, upper Changhsingian) to the lower Werfen (Tesero Member, upper Changhsingian - lower Induan) Formations of the Dolomites, to the Meishan (Zhejiang Province, China), the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Permian–Triassic boundary. We integrated new and previously published 87Sr/86Sr data from well preserved brachiopods and show that the topmost part of the Bellerophon Formation (the Bulla Member) correlates with beds 24 e-f of the GSSP section, while the Tesero Member, where the Permian-Triassic boundary is located, is characterised by more radiogenic Sr isotope ratios than expected. Differences in Sr isotope ratios may be due to small-scale variations in local paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic conditions/settings. Continental weathering of sedimentary or igneous rocks, distance from terrestrial environment and nearby occurrence of radiogenic rocks might also produce locally variable Sr isotope signatures especially in shallow water environments complicating the application of SIS principles.