Carbon isotopic change at the base of the upper permian zechstein sequence

Fluctuation of the carbon isotope composition of marine carbonates has recently been developed as a powerful tool for the identification of ocean-wide anoxic conditions and changes in the world budget of carbon and oxygen. A change in δ¹³ from the normal marine values (0 to + 2%) to values highly enriched in ¹³C (+3·5 to 4·5%) is recorded at the base of the Zechstein sequence both in central Germany and northeastern England. The change occurred over a relatively short period of time indicating a rapid and pronounced change in the organic carbon/carbonate budget. Evidence from other Permian basins show similar highly enriched δ¹³C values. This change may correspond to that in carbon balance distinguished by the Garrels and Perry (1975) model and based on the change in sulphur isotopic composition during the Permian.