High-resolution Organic Carbon Isotope Research Articles

Carbon cycle perturbations and environmental change of the middle permian and Late Triassic Paleo-Antarctic circle

During the middle Permian through the Triassic, Tasmania moved from paleo-latitudes of 78° to 69°S, wedged between Antarctica and Australia, within the paleo-South polar circle. During this time, significant global carbon cycle disturbances triggered major environmental and climatic changes and mass extinction events globally. The Bicheno-5 core from Eastern Tasmania, Australia, provides the opportunity to examine middle Permian and Upper Triassic sediments from the paleo-Antarctic, using high-resolution organic carbon isotope (δ13CTOC) chemostratigraphy, pXRF, and sedimentology, combined with new palynological data integrated with the existing radiometric age model. While there is a significant unconformity in the Upper Permian to the middle Triassic associated with eustatic sea-level fall as a result of regional uplift in eastern Australia, three distinct carbon isotope excursions (CIEs), characterized by negative shifts of up to − 6 ‰ were identified; the middle Permian Guadalupian Carbon Isotope Excursions (G-CIE), the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE), and the mid-Norian Event (MNE). These three events highlight a significant climate shift through glacial and interglacial cycles to warmer non-glacial intervals in the Late Triassic, with evidence of the polar record of the Carnian Pluvial Episode and the mid-Norian Event, which are poorly studied in the Southern Hemisphere, specifically within the Paleo-Antarctic circle.

Constraining the Triassic–Jurassic boundary carbon cycle perturbations using high-resolution δ 13 C org records from the Haojiagou section in northwestern China

Abstract Large magnitude and rapid negative carbon isotope (δ 13 C) excursions in the Triassic–Jurassic boundary (TJB) interval have been proposed as critical evidence for the hypothesis that the emplacement of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) triggered global carbon cycle perturbations and the end-Triassic mass extinction (ETE). However, the pattern and timing of δ 13 C variations during the ETE remain poorly constrained. Here I present high-resolution organic carbon isotope (δ 13 C org ) records from a terrestrial TJB succession continuously exposed along the Haojiagou valley on the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, northwestern China. The δ 13 C chemostratigraphic correlations, combined with the palynological data, indicate that the position of the TJB should be placed at the base of bed 53. Importantly, the results show that two rapid negative carbon isotope excursions at the end Triassic roughly coincide with two episodes of variations in the palynological records. This observation supports the hypothesis that two pulses of biotic crisis during the ETE may have been triggered by two major episodes of CAMP magmatic activity. In addition, the data in this study support an early start for CAMP magmatic activity in the early Rhaetian, which may have led to a global carbon cycle perturbation and the related biotic crisis or turnover.

Carbon cycle perturbation and mercury anomalies in terrestrial Oceanic Anoxic Event 1b from Jiuquan Basin, NW China

Abstract Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1b is well documented in western Tethys; however, records in Eurasia are still lacking. Here, we carried out high-resolution organic carbon isotope (δ 13 C org ), total organic carbon (TOC) content and mercury (Hg) concentration analysis of the lacustrine sediments from the Xiagou and Zhonggou formations in the Hanxiagou section of the Jiuquan Basin, NW China. The lacustrine δ 13 C org curve presents three stages of negative excursions above the basalt layer dated at 112.4 ± 0.3 Ma in the lowermost Zhonggou Formation. The three negative δ 13 C org excursions correspond well with the three sub-events (Kilian, Paquier and Leenhardt) of the OAE 1b in the Poggio le Guaine (central Italy), Vocontian Basin (SE France) and St Rosa Canyon (NE Mexico) sections, supporting the record of the terrestrial OAE 1b in the Jiuquan Basin. Five mercury enrichment intervals in Hg/TOC ratios were recognized, indicating that the pulsed volcanism from the Southern Kerguelen Plateau likely triggered OAE 1b. However, the decoupling between negative isotopic excursion shifts and mercury enrichments, signifying another carbon reservoir (with no link to mercury), probably contributed to the global carbon cycle perturbation during the OAE 1b period. Our results provide direct evidence to link OAE 1b and the terrestrial ecosystem in Eurasia.

Carbon isotope stratigraphy across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in the high-latitude terrestrial Junggar Basin, NW China

Carbon isotope stratigraphic records across the Triassic-Jurassic (Tr-J) boundary show carbon isotope excursions in both marine and terrestrial sections, indicating frequent perturbations of the global carbon cycles, which are linked to the ~600 kyr pulsed emplacement of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). However, few detailed carbon isotope stratigraphic reports from high-latitude terrestrial deposition have been documented in contrast to the contemporaneous low- to mid-latitude records. It hampers the understanding of the climatic response in the high-latitude terrestrial areas and the modeling global carbon cycles triggered by CAMP volcanisms. Here, we present high-resolution organic carbon isotope data primarily originated from C3 plants in the Haojiagou section in the paleo-high-latitude Junggar Basin, NW China. Combined with previously published biostratigraphic and geochemical results, carbon isotope stratigraphy with distinct “initial negative carbon isotope excursions” (I-CIE) and “main negative carbon isotope excursions” (M-CIE) is built in the Junggar Basin and allows a global stratigraphic correlation. The end-Triassic mass extinction (ETE) and the Tr-J boundary is then well identified. The excursion magnitude is similar to that in Greenland and Poland where the sections are also terrestrial. Climatic pattern recorded in the Junggar Basin rapidly changed across the Tr-J transition and coincides with a bloom of fern spores, increased wildfire activities, enhanced hydrological cycles and soil loss.

Hg Isotopes and Enhanced Hg Concentration in the Meishan and Guryul Ravine Successions: Proxies for Volcanism Across the Permian-Triassic Boundary

High-resolution organic carbon isotope (δ13C), Hg concentration and Hg isotopes curves are presented for the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) sections at Guryul Ravine (India) and Meishan D (China). The total organic carbon (TOC)-normalized Hg concentrations reveal more intense environmental changes at the Latest Permian Mass Extinction (LPME) and the earliest Triassic Mass Extinction (ETME) horizons coinciding with majorδ13C shifts. To highlight palaeoredox conditions we used redox-sensitive elements and Rare Earth Element distribution. At Meishan, three Hg/TOC spikes (I, II, and III) are observed. Spike I remains after normalization by total aluminum (Al), but disappears when normalized by total sulfur (TS). Spike III, at the base of Bed 26, corresponds with excursions in the Hg/TS and Hg/Al curves, indicating a change in paleoredox conditions from anoxic/euxinic in the framboidal pyrite-bearing sediments (Bed 26) to oxygenated sediments (Bed 27). At Guryul Ravine, four Hg/TOC spikes were observed: a clear spike I in Bed 46, spike II at the base of the framboidal pyrite-rich Bed 49, spike III at the PTB, and spike IV at the LPME horizon. Some of these Hg/TOC spikes disappear when TS or Al normalization is applied. The spike I remains in the Hg/TS and Hg/Al curves (oxic conditions), spike II only in the Hg/TS curve (anoxic/euxinic), and spikes III and IV only in Hg/Al curves (oxic). In both sections, Hg deposition was organic-matter bound, the role of sulfides being minor and locally restricted to framboidal pyrite-bearing horizons. Positive mass-independent fractionation (MIF) for Hg odd isotopes (odd-MIF) was observed in pre-LPME samples, negative values in the LPME–PTB interval, and positive values above the ETME horizon. Most Hg-isotope patterns are probably controlled by the bathymetry of atmospheric Hg-bearing deposits. The source of Hg can be attributed to the Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province (STLIP). In the LPME-PTB interval, a complex of STLIP sills (Stage 2) intruded coal-bearing sediments. The negativeδ202Hg, the mercury odd-MIF Δ201Hg patterns, and the Δ199Hg–Hg plot in both sections are compatible with volcanic mercury deposition. Our study shows the strength of Hg/TOC ratios as paleoenvironmental proxy and as a tool for stratigraphic correlation.

The Schandelah Scientific Drilling Project: A 25-million year record of Early Jurassic palaeo-environmental change from northern Germany

With the aim to understand prolonged and repeated marine anoxia after the Triassic-Jurassic mass- extinction event, a continuously cored, 338 metre thick succession of Rhaetian to Toarcian sediments was retrieved close to the village of Schandelah near Braunschweig (Lower Saxony, northern Germany). Here, preliminary biostratigraphical, lithological, sedimentological, geochemical, and geophysical borehole data are presented and discussed. Based on the presence of ammonites, ostracods, benthic foraminifers, calcareous nannofossils, and palynomorphs, all major Late Triassic and Early Jurassic stage boundaries and many of the standard Lower Jurassic ammonite zones could be defined. The deltaic Rhaetian sand- and siltstone succession (Exter Fm) contains evidence for seismic activity probably related to large-scale geodynamic processes. The Hettangian (Lias Alpha) is represented by a thick heterolithic succession composed of shallow marine sandy and silty beds with intercalated organic-rich shale, representing deposition on a shoreface with frequent storm activity. Progressive deepening during the Sinemurian to Toarcian resulted in repeated deposition of laminated organic-rich facies. Periods of relative sea-level fall likely occurred during the Late Hettangian, the Late Sinemurian, and Early Pliensbachian, where a series of hardgrounds occur indicating erosion on the sea floor followed by sea level rise leading to omission, and increased reworking. One of the most conspicuous features of the Lower Jurassic in the Schandelah-1 core is the presence of abundant authigenic carbonates (glendonites,concretions, beef-calcite) within the Upper Pliensbachian with partly very negative C-isotope values (down to –37‰ V-PDB) suggesting the anaerobic oxidation of methane. A high-resolution organic carbon isotope record based on 485 analyses shows two major negative carbon isotope excursions (CIEs) within the lowermost Hettangian and Lower Toarcian, respectively. Both excursions coincide with the onset of black shale deposition and are well-known features of these time-intervals in other regions. Despite the fact that black shale deposition also characterizes parts of the Sinemurian and Pliensbachian in similar facies, no large negative CIEs are apparent. The Schandelah-1 core thus provides an unique archive of sedimentary, biotic and geochemical records of long-term Triassic-Jurassic palaeo-environmental change in the European Epicontinental Seaway.

High-resolution organic carbon–isotope stratigraphy of the Middle Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Agardhfjellet Formation of central Spitsbergen, Svalbard

We present the first complete organic carbon–isotope curve from the Agardhfjellet Formation, central Spitsbergen (Svalbard). Samples from two drill cores (DH2 and DH5R) were analysed for δ13Corg, total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock Eval. Rock Eval, litho- and biostratigraphy demonstrate a similar development in the two cores, allowing construction of a composite δ13Corg curve covering the Bathonian to lowermost Cretaceous. There are only weak correlations between Rock Eval parameters and δ13Corg, suggesting the isotopic signal is not mainly controlled by type of kerogen/maturation but rather reflects regional or global environmental changes. The carbon–isotope curves from the cores can be correlated with previously published curves from outcrops of the Slottsmøya Member and with more distant localities in the Barents Sea, Siberia, Great Britain and the Atlantic. Features in common with other published curves include a Callovian–Oxfordian positive excursion, a Kimmeridgian–Middle Volgian negative trend and a Middle Volgian negative excursion. These correlations allow refinement chronostratigraphy of the Jurassic of Svalbard.

Late Permian–earliest Triassic high-resolution organic carbon isotope and palynofacies records from Kap Stosch (East Greenland)

During and after the end Permian mass extinction terrestrial and marine biota underwent major changes and reorganizations. The latest Permian and earliest Triassic is also characterized by major negative carbon isotope shifts reflecting fundamental changes in the carbon cycle. The present study documents a high-resolution bulk organic carbon isotope record and palynofacies analysis spanning the latest Permian–earliest Triassic of East Greenland. An almost 700meter thick composite section from Kap Stosch allowed discriminating 6 chemostratigraphic intervals that provide the basis for the correlation with other coeval records across the world, and for the recognition of basin wide transgressive–regressive events documenting tectonic activity during the opening of the Greenland–Norway Basin. The identification of the main factors that influenced the organic carbon isotope signal during the earliest Triassic (Griesbachian to Dienerian) was possible due to the combination of bulk organic carbon isotope, palynofacies and Rock-Eval data. Two negative carbon isotopic shifts in the Kap Stosch record can be correlated with negative shifts recorded in coeval sections across the globe. A first negative shift precedes the base of the Triassic as defined by the first occurrence of the conodont Hindeodus parvus in the Meishan reference section, and the second one coincides with the suggested Griesbachian–Dienerian boundary. This new organic carbon isotope record from the extended Kap Stosch section from the Boreal Realm documents regional and global carbon cycle signals of the interval between the latest Palaeozoic and the onset of the Mesozoic.

New high resolution geochemistry of Lower Jurassic marine sections in western North America: A global positive carbon isotope excursion in the Sinemurian?

Recognising variations in the carbon isotope compositions of marine organic-rich sedimentary rocks can provide insight into changes in ocean chemistry throughout geological time. Further, identification of global excursions in the carbon isotope record has proved to be valuable as a chronostratigraphic correlation tool.This investigation presents new high-resolution organic carbon isotope data (δCorg13) for marine sediments from 2 regions in North America (Last Creek, British Columbia, Canada and Five Card Draw, Nevada, USA). The carbon isotope profiles demonstrate that there were significant differences between the carbon reservoirs at Five Card Draw and Last Creek, notably in the upper part of the Leslei Zone. The δCorg13 values show a gradual positive CIE (∼2‰) at Last Creek in the upper part of the Leslei Zone. This corresponds to a coeval positive CIE of similar duration in Dorset, UK (upper Turneri Zone; Jenkyns and Weedon, 2013), suggesting that this may be a global marine carbon isotope signature, and likely reflects a widespread increase in primary productivity during the Early Sinemurian. In addition, a brief negative CIE is observed in the uppermost Lower Sinemurian at Last Creek. This negative excursion is not recorded in the Dorset section, suggesting localised upwelling of 12C-rich bottom-waters at Last Creek. Further, the signals identified at Last Creek are not present in coeval sections at Five Card Draw, thus highlighting a significant difference between these localities. Osmium (Os) isotope data (initial 187Os/188Os values) provide a quantitative determination of the contrasting depositional environments of Five Card Draw and Last Creek (at least partially restricted with high levels of continental inundation and open-ocean, respectively). This demonstrates that basinal restriction may act as a major factor that controls isotopic stratigraphic signatures, thus preventing the identification of global or widespread regional excursions.

Facies and climate changes across the Permian–Triassic boundary in the North German Basin: insights from a high-resolution organic carbon isotope record

AbstractThe transition from the uppermost Permian Zechstein Group to the lowermost Triassic Lower Buntsandstein Subgroup in the North German Basin is characterized by a shift from sabkha to playa and to fluviatile facies indicative of a shift to a more humid climate and associated with a major reorganization of the sedimentary system. These changes are recorded in a high-resolution carbon isotope profile of bulk organic matter spanning from the upper Zechstein Group of Changhsingian age to the Calvörde Formation of the Lower Buntsandstein Subgroup of Changhsingian–Indusian age. The organic carbon isotopes reflect a varying composition of the organic matter. Dependent on the facies type, which is mainly controlled by humidity, the proportions of cyanobacterial, phytoplankton and land-plant-derived organic matter with differing organic carbon isotope values change in the samples. A negative organic carbon isotope excursion shortly below the supposed Permian–Triassic Boundary (PTB) is interpreted as a horizon rich in isotopically light phytoplankton, representing a perennial playa lake stage. Although certain effects of global carbon cycle perturbations around the PTB on the analysed organic carbon isotope profile cannot be excluded, the facies and climatic changes associated with the PTB events are thought to be more important.

High resolution organic carbon isotope stratigraphy from a slope to basinal setting on the Yangtze Platform, South China: Implications for the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition

Organic carbon isotope data from two slope to basinal sections across the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition on the Yangtze Platform, South China record secular variations in δ13C. Data supplement highly comparable organic carbon isotope profiles from time equivalent shallow shelf and slope settings. No environmentally determined carbon isotope gradient across the Yangtze Platform is discernible, suggesting that a transgressive anoxic event provided an isotopically homogenous carbon source for primary productivity that originated from the deeper part of an anoxic and/or sulfidic basin.

High-resolution organic carbon isotope record across the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary in south-central Alberta: implications for the post-impact recovery rate of terrestrial ecosystems and use of δ13C as a boundary marker

A high-resolution study identified a δ13C excursion of –1.8‰ to –2.3‰ in terrestrial organic matter across the Cretaceous–Tertiary (K–T) boundary at two localities in the Scollard Formation of south-central Alberta, one of the northernmost occurrences of the K–T boundary in terrestrial settings. δ13C values are at their lowest within 6 cm above the K–T boundary claystone and return to pre-boundary levels within 10 cm above the boundary claystone. Statistical analyses reveal that the K–T isotopic shift in Alberta is related to the nature of floral changes that occurred across the K–T boundary. A radiometrically dated bentonite resting on the boundary-hosting Nevis coal at one of the localities permits us to estimate that the terrestrial carbon cycle recovered ~100 000 years after the K–T boundary event, a value that supports an existing hypothesis that terrestrial ecosystems recovered more rapidly than marine ecosystems. The organic carbon isotope record of the entire Scollard Formation demonstrates that the δ13C excursion across the K–T boundary did not reach anomalously low values by late Maastrichtian standards in Alberta. Furthermore, the occurrence of the K–T carbon isotope shift within a restricted stratigraphic interval (<10 cm) greatly limits the probability of its preservation in the context of terrestrial sedimentary environments. These observations suggest that, on their own, δ13C profiles may be unreliable for locating the K–T boundary (and possibly other geologically instantaneous events) and that they should be used in combination with other approaches (e.g., palynology) to identify the K–T boundary in sections lacking the boundary claystone and iridium anomaly.