Lyell Collection
Journal of the Geological Society
Lyell Centre  |   Lyell Collection  |   Subscriptions   |   Geological Society  |   Email alerts  |   Online bookshop  |   Help

Keywords:
Author:
Advanced search>>
This Article
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (14)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Robinson, S. A.
Right arrow Articles by Hesselbo, S. P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation
Journal of the Geological Society; 2004; v. 161; issue.1; p. 133-145;
DOI: 10.1144/0016-764903-004
© 2004 Geological Society of London

Original Article

Fossil-wood carbon-isotope stratigraphy of the non-marine Wealden Group (Lower Cretaceous, southern England)

Stuart A. Robinson1,2 & Stephen P. Hesselbo1

1 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PR, UK
2 2Present address: Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, USA (e-mail: stuartr@ldeo.columbia.edu)

Fossil-wood carbon-isotope data are presented for the Wessex Formation, a non-marine unit within the Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian–Barremian) Wealden Group of the Isle of Wight and Dorset, southern England. The carbon-isotope values have a range ({delta}13C c. –26.6 to –19.8{per thousand}) that is consistent with that expected for Mesozoic C3 plants. Consideration of the Isle of Wight fossil-wood carbon-isotope data together with data from Dorset allows construction of a composite fossil-wood carbon-isotope curve for almost the entire Wealden Group. The new carbon-isotope curve is in smooth continuity with data previously published from the overlying lagoonal Vectis Formation and marine Lower Greensand Group of Aptian age. A tentative correlation with a Tethyan reference carbon-isotope curve allows the provisional application of stage-level chronostratigraphy to the Wealden Group. Correlations suggest that the Wealden Group sediments are dominantly of Hauterivian and Barremian age and that the Valanginian is either condensed or partially missing. The carbon-isotope data presented indicate that even during times of relative carbon-cycle quiescence atmosphere CO2 faithfully tracks the carbon-isotopic composition of the oceanic reservoir.


Keywords: Early Cretaceous, chemostratigraphy, carbon isotopes, fossil wood, Wealden Group.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Journal of the Geological SocietyHome page
E. V. Nunn, G. D. Price, M. B. Hart, K. N. Page, and M. J. Leng
Isotopic signals from Callovian-Kimmeridgian (Middle-Upper Jurassic) belemnites and bulk organic carbon, Staffin Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Journal of the Geological Society, 2009; 166: 633 - 641.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PALAIOSHome page
A. ANDO and T. KAKEGAWA
CARBON ISOTOPE RECORDS OF TERRESTRIAL ORGANIC MATTER AND OCCURRENCE OF PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERA FROM THE ALBIAN STAGE OF HOKKAIDO, JAPAN: OCEAN-ATMOSPHERE {delta}13C TRENDS AND CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS
Palaios, 2007; 22: 417 - 432.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeologyHome page
M. Haworth, S. P. Hesselbo, J. C. McElwain, S. A. Robinson, and J. W. Brunt
Mid-Cretaceous pCO2 based on stomata of the extinct conifer Pseudofrenelopsis (Cheirolepidiaceae)
Geology, 2005; 33: 749 - 752.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]