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 (60)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Weissert, H.
Right arrow Articles by Erba, E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation
Journal of the Geological Society; 2004; v. 161; issue.4; p. 695-702;
DOI: 10.1144/0016-764903-087
© 2004 Geological Society of London

Original Article

Volcanism, CO2 and palaeoclimate: a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous carbon and oxygen isotope record

Helmut Weissert1 & Elisabetta Erba2

1 1Department of Earth Science, ETH-Z, CH-8092 Zürich; Switzerland (e-mail: weissert@erdw.ethz.ch)
2 2Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, ‘Ardito Desio’, via Mangiagalli, 34, 20133 Milano, Italy

A composite Tethyan Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous carbon and oxygen isotope curve is presented. C-isotope data provide information on the evolution and perturbation of the global carbon cycle. O-isotope data are used as a palaeotemperature proxy in combination with palaeontological information. The resulting trends in climate and in palaeoceanography are compared with biocalcification trends and oceanographic conditions favouring or inhibiting biocalcification. Positive C-isotope anomalies in the Valanginian and Aptian correlate with episodes of increased volcanic activity regarded as a source of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide. A major warming pulse accompanies the Aptian but not the Valanginian C-isotope event. The observed change in Early Aptian temperatures could have triggered the destabilization of sedimentary gas hydrates and the sudden release of methane to the biosphere as recorded as a distinct negative carbon isotope pulse preceding the positive excursion. Both C-isotope anomalies are accompanied by biocalcification crises that may have been triggered by pCO2-induced changes in climate and in surface water chemistry. Elevated nutrient levels in river-influenced coastal waters and in upwelling regions further weakened marine calcification. These conditions contrast with ‘normal’ trophic conditions prevailing in the latest Jurassic and favouring biocalcification. The C- and O-isotope curves record a stable mode of carbon cycling and stable temperatures. We conclude that biocalcification is mostly triggered (and inhibited) by CO2 conditions in the atmosphere–ocean system.


Keywords: Mesozoic, 13C, 18O, carbon cycle, palaeoclimate.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 GeologyHome page
D.-C. Zhu, S.-L. Chung, X.-X. Mo, Z.-D. Zhao, Y. Niu, B. Song, and Y.-H. Yang
The 132 Ma Comei-Bunbury large igneous province: Remnants identified in present-day southeastern Tibet and southwestern Australia
Geology, 2009; 37: 583 - 586.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeologyHome page
J. Lu, M. Wilkinson, R. S. Haszeldine, and A. E. Fallick
Long-term performance of a mudrock seal in natural CO2 storage
Geology, 2009; 37: 35 - 38.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PALAIOSHome page
A. Bornemann and J. Mutterlose
Calcareous Nannofossil and {delta}13C Records from the Early Cretaceous of the Western Atlantic Ocean: Evidence for Enhanced Fertilization across the Berriasian-Valanginian Transition
Palaios, 2008; 23: 821 - 832.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Geological Society of America BulletinHome page
S. A. Robinson, L. J. Clarke, A. Nederbragt, and I. G. Wood
Mid-Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events in the Pacific Ocean revealed by carbon-isotope stratigraphy of the Calera Limestone, California, USA
Geological Society of America Bulletin, 2008; 120: 1416 - 1426.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeologyHome page
T. Galfetti, P. A. Hochuli, A. Brayard, H. Bucher, H. Weissert, and J. O. Vigran
Smithian-Spathian boundary event: Evidence for global climatic change in the wake of the end-Permian biotic crisis
Geology, 2007; 35: 291 - 294.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeologyHome page
M. Dumitrescu, S. C. Brassell, S. Schouten, E. C. Hopmans, and J. S. S. Damste
Instability in tropical Pacific sea-surface temperatures during the early Aptian
Geology, 2006; 34: 833 - 836.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of the Geological SocietyHome page
X. Li, H. C. Jenkyns, C. Wang, X. Hu, X. Chen, Y. Wei, Y. Huang, and J. Cui
Upper Cretaceous carbon- and oxygen-isotope stratigraphy of hemipelagic carbonate facies from southern Tibet, China
Journal of the Geological Society, 2006; 163: 375 - 382.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of Sedimentary ResearchHome page
J. Pross, E. Link, M. Ruf, and T. Aigner
Delineating Sequence Stratigraphic Patterns in Deeper Ramp Carbonates: Quantitative Palynofacies Data from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Southwest Germany
Journal of Sedimentary Research, 2006; 76: 524 - 538.
[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]

Home page
 GeologyHome page
U. Heimhofer, P.A. Hochuli, S. Burla, J.M.L. Dinis, and H. Weissert
Timing of Early Cretaceous angiosperm diversification and possible links to major paleoenvironmental change
Geology, 2005; 33: 141 - 144.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]