Negative δ13Corg Excursion Research Articles

The Lindi Formation (upper Albian–Coniacian) and Tanzania Drilling Project Sites 36–40 (Lower Cretaceous to Paleogene): Lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy

The 2009 Tanzania Drilling Project (TDP) expedition to southeastern Tanzania cored a total of 572.3m of sediments at six new mid-Cretaceous to mid-Paleocene boreholes (TDP Sites 36, 37, 38, 39, 40A, 40B). Added to the sites drilled in 2007 and 2008, the new boreholes confirm the common excellent preservation of planktonic and benthic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils from core samples that will be used for biostratigraphy, evolutionary studies, paleoceanography and climatic reconstructions from the Tanzanian margin, with implications elsewhere. The new sites verify the presence of a relatively expanded Upper Cretaceous succession in the region that has allowed a new stratigraphic unit, named here as the Lindi Formation (Fm), to be formally defined. The Lindi Fm (upper Albian to Coniacian), extending ∼120km between Kilwa and Lindi, comprises a 335-m-thick, outer-shelf to upper-slope unit, consisting of dark gray claystone and siltstone interbeds, common finely-laminated intervals, minor cm-thick sandstones and up to 2.6% organic carbon in the Turonian. A subsurface, composite stratotype section is proposed for the Lindi Fm, with a gradational top boundary with the overlying Nangurukuru Fm (Santonian to Maastrichtian) and a sharp bottom contact with underlying upper Albian sandstones.The section cored at TDP Sites 36 and 38 belongs to the Lindi Fm and are of lower to middle Turonian age (planktonic foraminifera Whiteinella archaeocretacea to Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica Zones and nannofossils subzones UC6b±UC7). The lower portion of TDP Site 39 (uppermost part of the Lindi Fm) is assigned to the lower to upper Coniacian (planktonic foraminifera Dicarinella concavata Zone and nannofossils zone UC 10), while the remaining part of this site is attributed to the Coniacian–Santonian transition and younger Santonian (planktonic foraminifera D. asymetrica Zone and upper part of nannofossils zone UC10). TDP Site 37 recovered relatively expanded (150m thick), monotonous calcareous claystones from the lower to upper Maastrichtian (planktonic foraminifera Pseudoguembelina palpebra to Abathomphalus mayaroensis Zones and nannofossils zones UC19 to UC20aTP) that were separated by a hiatus and/or a faulted contact from overlying brecciated carbonates of the Selandian (middle Paleocene: PF Zone P3 and nannofossil zone NP5). The lower portion of TDP Sites 40A and 40B recovered sandstones and conglomerates barren of microfossils. Their overlying parts were assigned to incomplete sections of the nannofossil zones NC6A to NC8 (uppermost Barremian to lower Albian). Benthic foraminiferal assemblages allowed the Barremian to lower Aptian to be identified in TDP Sites 40A and 40B, while the upper Aptian to middle Albian (Hedbergella trocoidea to Ticinella primula Zones) were assigned using planktonic foraminifera. Cores recovered at TDP 39 (Coniacian–Santonian) and at TDP Sites 40A and 40B (Barremian–middle Albian) represent the first time that these two intervals have been continuously cored and publicly documented in Tanzania.Bulk sediment isotope records generated for the new sites show lower δ18Ocarb values in the Turonian and Santonian (∼−3.5‰ to −5‰) than in the Maastrichtian (∼−3‰), a situation consistent with extreme global warmth in the older intervals and cooling toward the end of the Cretaceous. Also, similar to Turonian sites from previous TDP expeditions, a negative δ13Corg excursion was detected across the W. archaeocretacea–H. helvetica boundary of TDP Site 36 (close to, but above, the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary). This excursion probably responded to local processes in the region, but it is unknown whether they were related to the recovery phase from Ocean Anoxic Event 2.

Multiple sulfur and carbon isotope composition of sediments from the Belingwe Greenstone Belt (Zimbabwe): A biogenic methane regulation on mass independent fractionation of sulfur during the Neoarchean?

To explore the linkage between mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionation (MIF-S) and δ13Corg excursions during the Neoarchean, as well as the contemporary redox state and biogeochemical cycling of carbon and sulfur, we report the results of a detailed carbon and multiple sulfur (δ34S, δ33S, δ36S) isotopic study of the ∼2.7Ga Manjeri and ∼2.65Ga Cheshire formations of the Ngezi Group (Belingwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe).Multiple sulfur isotope data show non-zero Δ33S and Δ36S values for sediments older than 2.4Ga (i.e. prior to the Great Oxidation Event, GOE), indicating MIF-S thought to be associated with low atmospheric oxygen concentration. However, in several 2.7–2.5Ga Neoarchean localities, small-scale variations in MIF-S signal (magnitude) seem to correlate with negative excursion in δ13Corg, possibly reflecting a global connection between the relative reaction rate of different MIF-S source reaction and sulfur exit channels and the biogenic flux of methane into the atmosphere during periods of localized, microbiologically mediated, shallow surface-water oxygenation.The Manjeri Formation black shales studied here display a wide range of δ13Corg between −35.4‰ and −16.2‰ (average of −30.3±6.0‰, 1σ), while the Cheshire Formation shales have δ13Corg between −47.7‰ and −35.1‰ (average −41.3±3‰, 1σ). The δ34S values of sedimentary sulfides from Manjeri Formation vary between −15.15‰ and +2.37‰ (average −1.71±4.76‰, 1σ), showing very small and mostly negative Δ33S values varying from −0.58‰ to 0.87‰ (average 0.02±0.43‰, 1σ). Cheshire Formation black shale sulfide samples measured in this study have δ34S values ranging from −2.11‰ to 2.39‰ (average 0.25±1.08‰, 1σ) and near zero and solely positive Δ33S anomalies between 0.14‰ and 1.17‰ (average 0.56±0.29‰, 1σ). Moreover, Δ36S/Δ33S in the two formations are comparable with a slope of −1.38 (Manjeri Formation) and −1.67 (Cheshire Formation), respectively. This differs from the Archean reference line (i.e. −0.9).The sulfur and carbon isotopic signatures recorded here likely reflect different environmental conditions and/or ecosystems within the sampled Cheshire and Manjeri formations paleofacies. The differences in carbon isotopes in different sedimentological facies are interpreted as recording different metabolic pathways, including photosynthesis, methanogenesis and methanotrophy. Low δ13Corg values in the Cheshire Formation black shales suggest a strong influence of methanotrophy (likely preceded by bacterial methanogenesis), while the large range of Manjeri Formation δ34S may record bacterial sulfate reduction. The C and multiple S isotopic variations recorded here may imply different patterns of C and S fractionation, perhaps dependent on variations in the biogenic egress of methane to the atmosphere.

Disentangling the Hettangian carbon isotope record: Implications for the aftermath of the end‐Triassic mass extinction

This study provides an organic carbon stable isotope (δ13Corg) record calibrated with detailed ammonite biostratigraphy, following the end‐Triassic biological crisis. Precise correlation between this crucial fossil group and the δ13Corg record is key to understanding feedbacks between biological and environmental events following mass extinction. The latest Triassic and Hettangian δ13Corg record shows several negative and positive excursions. The end‐Triassic negative shift coinciding with the mass extinction interval is followed by a positive excursion in the earliest Hettangian Psiloceras spelae beds, which marks the onset of recovery in the marine ecosystem. This positive trend is interrupted by a second negative δ13Corg excursion in the P. pacificum beds related to a minor ammonite extinction event. This pattern of the δ13Corg curve culminates in the uppermost Hettangian Angulata Zone major positive excursion. This indicates that both the ecosystem and the carbon cycle remained in a state of perturbation for at least 2 Ma, although the recovery of some pelagic taxa already began at the base of Jurassic. The early and late Hettangian positive δ13Corg excursions have been confused in several recent papers. Here, we show that during the Hettangian there are indeed two distinct positive δ13Corg excursions. Phases of anoxia and further pulses of Central Atlantic Magmatic Province volcanism during the Hettangian might have inhibited the full recovery for that interval of time. The main Liasicus‐Angulata organic positive CIE (carbon isotope excursion) during the Late Hettangian might be related to gradual decreasing of pCO2 due to protracted high organic burial, and coincides with a second phase of recovery, as indicated by a pulse of ammonoid diversification.

Perturbation of a Tethyan coastal environment during the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum in Tunisia (Sidi Nasseur and Wadi Mezaz)

Despite the large number of studies on the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), the knowledge of environmental and biotic responses in shallow marine environments remains quite poor. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages of the Sidi Nasseur and Wadi Mezaz sections in Tunisia were studied quantitatively and the paleoecologic interpretations provide new insights into the complex relationship between PETM global warming and perturbations of shallow marine settings. These sections expose upper Paleocene to lower Eocene shales and marls of the El Haria Formation up to the phosphate layers of the Chouabine Formation underlying the El Garia limestones. The Sidi Nasseur section contains a more complete and expanded Paleocene–Eocene boundary interval compared to Wadi Mezaz, although being truncated at the top. The Wadi Mezaz section contains a more complete post-PETM interval. The studied interval can be subdivided into a sequence of 4 biofacies, representing respectively a latest Paleocene biofacies, two PETM biofacies and one post-PETM Eocene biofacies.The latest Paleocene biofacies 1 consists of numerous calcareous benthic foraminifera (e.g. Anomalinoides midwayensis, Frondicularia aff. phosphatica and various Bulimina and Lenticulina species), abundant non-calcareous taxa (Haplophragmoides) and rare planktic foraminifera, indicating a slightly hypersaline eutrophic inner neritic to coastal environment, regularly interrupted by oxygen deficiency (moderate dysoxia). During the latest Paleocene, this highly productive environment shallowed as indicated by the increasing abundances of A. midwayensis. The variable dominance of non-calcareous agglutinated taxa in biofacies 1 indicates post-mortem dissolution effects. The TOC δ13Corg record reveals a sharp negative excursion, marking the base of the Eocene. In general, the absence of lithologic changes, an increasing sedimentation rate and absence of reworking indicate that the initial part of the PETM is complete and expanded in the Sidi Nasseur section. A sharp faunal turnover coincides with this negative δ13Corg excursion and is characterized by the disappearance or diminution of common Paleocene taxa in this area. During the PETM, benthic foraminifera are less abundant and consist of opportunistic non-calcareous taxa together with deeper dwelling (middle neritic) lagenids and buliminids (biofacies 2 and 3). Planktic foraminifera, dominated by flat-spired Acarinina (mainly A. multicamerata), become more abundant, as observed in many open marine sequences worldwide. All these faunal parameters suggest more stressed probably severe dysoxic sea floor conditions within a transgressive phase during the onset of the PETM. An estimation of the total duration of the Sidi Nasseur PETM interval is difficult to establish, yet the lack of recovery carbon isotope values suggests that the preserved PETM interval reflects only a part of the CIE “core”. The top of the PETM interval is truncated due to local (?) erosion during the early Eocene. The Eocene recovery fauna is mainly composed of Lenticulina and Stainforthia species (biofacies 4), indicating restricted coastal to hyposaline lagoonal eutrophic conditions, distinctly different from earlier environmental conditions.

An open ocean record of the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event

Abstract. Oceanic anoxic events were time intervals in the Mesozoic characterized by widespread distribution of marine organic matter-rich sediments (black shales) and significant perturbations in the global carbon cycle. These perturbations are globally recorded in sediments as carbon isotope excursions irrespective of lithology and depositional environment. During the early Toarcian, black shales were deposited on the epi- and pericontinental shelves of Pangaea, and these sedimentary rocks are associated with a pronounced (ca. 7 ‰) negative (organic) carbon isotope excursion (CIE) which is thought to be the result of a major perturbation in the global carbon cycle. For this reason, the lower Toarcian is thought to represent an oceanic anoxic event (the T-OAE). If the T-OAE was indeed a global event, an isotopic expression of this event should be found beyond the epi- and pericontinental Pangaean localities. To address this issue, the carbon isotope composition of organic matter (δ13Corg of lower Toarcian organic matter-rich cherts from Japan, deposited in the open Panthalassa Ocean, was analysed. The results show the presence of a major (>6 ‰) negative excursion in δ13Corg that, based on radiolarian biostratigraphy, is a correlative of the lower Toarcian negative CIE known from Pangaean epi- and pericontinental strata. A smaller negative excursion in δ13Corg (ca. 2 ‰) is recognized lower in the studied succession. This excursion may, within the current biostratigraphic resolution, represent the excursion recorded in European epicontinental successions close to the Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary. These results from the open ocean realm suggest, in conjunction with other previously published datasets, that these Early Jurassic carbon cycle perturbations affected the active global reservoirs of the exchangeable carbon cycle (deep marine, shallow marine, atmospheric).

Sedimentological, palynological and geochemical studies of the terrestrial Triassic–Jurassic boundary in northwestern Poland

AbstractThe Kamień Pomorski IG-1 borehole (Pomerania, NW Poland) yields a profile through the Triassic–Jurassic (T–J) transition in continental deposits. An integrated study of the sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, palynology, biostratigraphy and geochemistry of these deposits has been carried out on the boundary interval, which represents a time of major environmental change. Two lithological units within the transitional section are distinguished: the Lower–Middle Rhaetian Wielichowo Beds of alluvial plain facies, which shows evidence of a semi-arid climate, and the Upper Rhaetian to Lower Hettangian Zagaje Formation, lying above a marked erosional sequence boundary, composed of mudstone-claystone and sandstone deposited in a fluvial-lacustrine environment. Carbon isotope values obtained from palynomaceral separates, and thus reflecting isotopic changes in atmospheric CO2, show significant fluctuations through the Rhaetian; the most conspicuous negative δ13Corgexcursion is correlated with the Rhaetian ‘initial’ excursion and shows two sub-peaks, pointing to short-term carbon-cycle disturbances of lesser magnitude. Above the ‘initial’ negative excursion, there is a positive excursion followed again by more negative values, representing subordinate fluctuation within a positive excursion and is correlated with the T–J boundary. Seventy-two miospore taxa have been determined from the studied T–J transitional section. Two major palynological assemblages have been distinguished: the lower one, typically Rhaetian, named theCingulizonates rhaeticus–Limbosporites lundblandiiassociation, which corresponds to theRhaetipollis–Ricciisporites(=Rhaetipollis–Limbosporites) Zone; and the upper one, typically Hettangian, named theConbaculatisporites mesozoicus– Dictyophyllidites mortoni–Cerebropollenites thiergartiiassociation (with the age-diagnostic pollenC.thiergartii), which corresponds to thePinuspollenites–Trachysporites(= Trachysporites–Heliosporites) Zone. The T–J palynofloral turnover occurred in a humid period and is more conspicuous then palynofloral changes observed in Greenland, the Tethyan domain or other parts of NE Europe. The osmium isotope system is studied herein for the first time from T–J continental deposits and shows marked disturbances similar to those measured in marine deposits and attributed to volcanic fallout. Carbon and osmium isotope correlation and coeval increase in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content and darkening of miospores confirm that eruptions of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) contributed to the perturbances in climate and crisis in the terrestrial biosphere. A series of periodical atmospheric loading by CO2, CH4or alternatively by SO2, sulphate aerosols and toxic compounds is inferred to have caused a series of rapid climatic reversals, directly influencing the ecosystem and causing the Triassic floral crisis. A floral turnover period commenced at the ‘initial’ δ13C excursion, with the onset of CAMP volcanism. Obtained values of initial187Os/186Os between 2.905 and 4.873 and very low iridium content (about 5 ppt) lend no support to a role for an extraterrestrial impact at the T–J boundary event. The position of the ‘initial’ negative carbon isotope excursion about 12 m below the T–J boundary, position of sequence boundaries (emergence surfaces) and other isotope excursions allow reliable correlation with marine profiles, including St Audrie's Bay (UK), Csövár (Hungary) and the GSSP profile at Kuhjoch (Austria).

A Mid-Cretaceous Association of Shell Beds and Organic-rich Shale: Bivalve Exploitation of a Nutrient-Rich, Anoxic Sea-floor Environment

The Toolebuc Formation (Late Albian) is a thin (<40m), very widely distributed unit marking the maximum deepening of the Cretaceous epicontinental sea recorded by the infill of the Great Artesian Basin, eastern Australia. It consists of organic-rich shale, with TOC ranging to 35%, and limestone as laminae and thin beds comprised of Inoceramus sutherlandi McCoy and, less commonly, Aucellina hughendenensis Etheridge. Finely interlayered organic-rich shale and coquina are typical of the formation, resulting in a distinctively black-and-white, thinly bedded to laminated rock. Inoceramus valves are commonly disturbed by breakage, reorientation, and imbrication, and, in many cases, have disintegrated into prism horizons. Sedimentary laminae show that the sea floor was subject to some current activity, but benthic scavengers are considered to have been active agents of shell disturbance. Although shelly substrate suitable for encrusting epibenthos or colonization by endoliths was available in abundance, other benthic elements, inclusive of trace fossils, are very poorly represented. The formation contains diverse planktonic, pelagic, and nektonic fossil remains attesting to deposition beneath a water column of normal salinity, supporting a complex food chain. It displays a negative δ13Corg excursion, considered to relate to sea floor bacterial reworking of detrital organic material derived from plankton. In the context of the Toolebuc Formation, Inoceramus sutherlandi and Aucellina hughendenensis represent ecological specialists, with shell-growth strategies designed to cope with soft substrates and physiologies that were tolerant of oxygen-poor bottom conditions. Their intimate association with organic-rich shale suggests a trophic link with sea-floor bacterial productivity, supported from the organic-rich substrate. The lateral extent of Toolebuc coquinas suggests that Inoceramus sutherlandi and Aucellina hughendenensis were filter feeders rather than dependent on chemotrophic symbionts. Fine-scale interlayering of coquina and organic-rich shale attests to frequent alternation of sea-floor conditions conducive to colonization by bivalve communities and those that were not. Alternation is attributed in part to an autocyclic mechanism, with sea-floor accumulation of shelly debris having progressively isolated bivalve communities from trophic support, causing their episodic demise.

Nitrogen isotope evidence for water mass denitrification during the Early Toarcian (Jurassic) oceanic anoxic event

Bulk sedimentary nitrogen isotope (δ15Ntot) data have been generated from Lower Jurassic black, carbon‐rich shales in the British Isles and northern Italy deposited during the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event. A pronounced positive δ15Ntot excursion through the exaratum Subzone of the falciferum Zone (defined by characteristic ammonites in the British Isles) broadly correlates with a relative maximum in weight percent total organic carbon and, in some sections, with a negative δ13Corg excursion. Upwelling of a deoxygenated water mass that had undergone partial denitrification is the likely explanation for relative enrichment of δ15Ntot, and parallels may be drawn with Quaternary sediments of the Arabian Sea, Gulf of California, and northwest Mexican margin. The development of Early Toarcian suboxic water masses and consequent partial denitrification is attributed to increases in organic productivity. Approximately coincident phenomena include the following: a relative climatic optimum, realignment of major oceanic current systems, and a possible release of methane gas hydrates from continental margin sediments early in the history of the oceanic anoxic event.

Effect of low temperature on hens' eggs : T. Moran ( Proc. Roy. Soc., London, Series B, 1925, 98, 436–456)

Despite the large number of studies on the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), the knowledge of environmental and biotic responses in shallow marine environments remains quite poor. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages of the Sidi Nasseur and Wadi Mezaz sections in Tunisia were studied quantitatively and the paleoecologic interpretations provide new insights into the complex relationship between PETM global warming and perturbations of shallow marine settings. These sections expose upper Paleocene to lower Eocene shales and marls of the El Haria Formation up to the phosphate layers of the Chouabine Formation underlying the El Garia limestones. The Sidi Nasseur section contains a more complete and expanded Paleocene–Eocene boundary interval compared to Wadi Mezaz, although being truncated at the top. The Wadi Mezaz section contains a more complete post-PETM interval. The studied interval can be subdivided into a sequence of 4 biofacies, representing respectively a latest Paleocene biofacies, two PETM biofacies and one post-PETM Eocene biofacies.The latest Paleocene biofacies 1 consists of numerous calcareous benthic foraminifera (e.g. Anomalinoides midwayensis, Frondicularia aff. phosphatica and various Bulimina and Lenticulina species), abundant non-calcareous taxa (Haplophragmoides) and rare planktic foraminifera, indicating a slightly hypersaline eutrophic inner neritic to coastal environment, regularly interrupted by oxygen deficiency (moderate dysoxia). During the latest Paleocene, this highly productive environment shallowed as indicated by the increasing abundances of A. midwayensis. The variable dominance of non-calcareous agglutinated taxa in biofacies 1 indicates post-mortem dissolution effects. The TOC δ13Corg record reveals a sharp negative excursion, marking the base of the Eocene. In general, the absence of lithologic changes, an increasing sedimentation rate and absence of reworking indicate that the initial part of the PETM is complete and expanded in the Sidi Nasseur section. A sharp faunal turnover coincides with this negative δ13Corg excursion and is characterized by the disappearance or diminution of common Paleocene taxa in this area. During the PETM, benthic foraminifera are less abundant and consist of opportunistic non-calcareous taxa together with deeper dwelling (middle neritic) lagenids and buliminids (biofacies 2 and 3). Planktic foraminifera, dominated by flat-spired Acarinina (mainly A. multicamerata), become more abundant, as observed in many open marine sequences worldwide. All these faunal parameters suggest more stressed probably severe dysoxic sea floor conditions within a transgressive phase during the onset of the PETM. An estimation of the total duration of the Sidi Nasseur PETM interval is difficult to establish, yet the lack of recovery carbon isotope values suggests that the preserved PETM interval reflects only a part of the CIE “core”. The top of the PETM interval is truncated due to local (?) erosion during the early Eocene. The Eocene recovery fauna is mainly composed of Lenticulina and Stainforthia species (biofacies 4), indicating restricted coastal to hyposaline lagoonal eutrophic conditions, distinctly different from earlier environmental conditions.