Research Article| May 01, 2000 Eutrophication by decoupling of the marine biogeochemical cycles of C, N, and P: A mechanism for the Late Devonian mass extinction Adam E. Murphy; Adam E. Murphy 1Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Bradley B. Sageman; Bradley B. Sageman 1Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David J. Hollander David J. Hollander 1Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2000) 28 (5): 427–430. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<427:EBDOTM>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 12 Oct 1999 rev-recd: 11 Feb 2000 accepted: 23 Feb 2000 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Adam E. Murphy, Bradley B. Sageman, David J. Hollander; Eutrophication by decoupling of the marine biogeochemical cycles of C, N, and P: A mechanism for the Late Devonian mass extinction. Geology 2000;; 28 (5): 427–430. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<427:EBDOTM>2.0.CO;2 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Late Devonian mass extinction was unusually protracted and ecologically selective, with preferential diversity losses among reef-building organisms and tropical, shallow-water faunas in general. We have investigated the link between the extinction's unique characteristics and changes in biogeochemical cycling through analyses of the δ13C and C:N:P atomic ratios of organic matter buried across the Kellwasser Horizons in western New York State. Each horizon is characterized by (1) a long-term, +4‰–5‰ excursion in δ13C, ∼3‰ of which occurs within the horizon, and (2) a dramatic increase in the burial ratios of C:N:P, from values of ∼100:15:1 to an average of ∼5000:170:1. On the basis of these results, we propose that (1) increased efficiency of biolimiting nutrient recycling, resulting from cyclic water column stratification and mixing, promoted eutrophication during Kellwasser deposition in New York, and (2) the isotope excursions represent the composite effect of long-term, global organic C burial, and local changes in photosynthetic C isotope fractionation related to nutrient availability. This eutrophication model forges a mechanistic link between proposed Late Devonian climatic cooling and the selective demise of taxa likely to have been narrowly adapted to oligotrophic conditions. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.