The impact of OAE 1a on marine biota deciphered by size variations of coccoliths

The early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (OAE 1a; ∼120 Ma) was caused by a global perturbation of the Early Cretaceous climate. It supposedly affected the composition of the marine biosphere, including the primary producers. This study aims at using the size evolution of three species of coccolithophores (Biscutum constans, Zeugrhabdotus erectus and Watznaueria barnesiae) for better understanding the impact of the OAE 1a on primary producers. A total of 30 samples derived from three sites, which cover the upper Barremian–lower Aptian interval, have been analyzed from the North Sea and the Lower Saxony Basin. The sections expose near-shore and shallow marine sediments.The measured data of B. constans and Z. erectus are characterized by a size decrease synchronous to the negative carbon isotope excursion. This size reduction marks the early phase of the OAE 1a, more precisely the carbon isotope segment C3. Coccolith sizes recover to pre-OAE 1a values in the aftermath of this brief interval. The short termed size reduction is seen as a reaction of specific nannofossil taxa to an increase in humidity during the early phase of OAE 1a. Due to high weathering rates and a substantial run-off, the amount of detrital material transported into the marine system increased significantly. Consequently light availability diminished in the surface waters, causing habitat changes for the photoautotrophic primary producers. Light-sensitive species like B. constans and Z. erectus adjusted by forming smaller skeletons, thereby reducing their size. This strategy allowed for dwelling in shallower water depth and thus compensated for the decrease in sun light. The sizes of W. barnesiae in contrast remain stable throughout the entire OAE 1a interval. W. barnesiae was not affected by these environmental shifts and is thus interpreted as being robust with respect to changes of the sun light.     

40Ar/39Ar geochronology and palynology of the Cerro Negro Formation,South Shetland Islands,Antarctica: A new radiometric tie for Cretaceous terrestrial biostratigraphy in the Southern Hemisphere

The upper part of the Jurassic‐Cretaceous Byers Group, exposed on Byers Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, consists of 1.4 km of non‐marine strata assigned to the Cerro Negro Formation. Silicic pyroclastic units close to the base of the formation have yielded new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of 120.3 ± 2.2 Ma on plagioclase from one horizon, and 119.4 ± 0.6 and 119.1 ± 0.8 Ma on biotite and plagioclase from a second horizon. Plagioclase from a welded ignimbrite close to the topmost exposed part of the formation has given an ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 119 ± 3.0 Ma. These ages indicate that the Cerro Negro Formation was deposited during a relatively short period in early Aptian times. The identification of palynomorph taxa has enabled us to propose correlations for the Cerro Negro Formation with spore/pollen zonations of South America and Australia. The presence of Interulobites pseudoreticulatus, Appendicisporites and F. wonthaggiensis in the Cerro Negro Formation supports correlation with the Interulobites‐Foraminisporis and the lower part of the tectifera‐corrugatus zones in southern South America. The presence of Foraminisporis asymmetricus and other palynomorphs suggests correlation with the Cyclosporites hughesii Interval Zone of early to late Aptian age in Australia. These data represent a valuable addition to the few radiometric ties available for Mesozoic terrestrial palynostratigraphy in the Southern Hemisphere.     

Morphological patterns of Aptian Lithocodium–Bacinella geobodies: relation to environment and scale

Lithocodium aggregatum and Bacinella irregularis are now extinct, shallow marine life forms of unknown taxonomic origin. Forming part of the tropical platform biota during much of the Mesozoic, these organisms experienced bloom periods and temporarily replaced rudist–coral assemblages during parts of the Early Aptian. Within the limitations of time resolution, this ‘out‐of‐balance’ facies is coeval with the Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a‐related black shale deposition in oceanic basins but the triggering factors remain poorly understood. Here, a platform‐wide comparison of Lithocodium–Bacinella geobodies and morphotypes from the Sultanate of Oman is presented and placed in its environmental, bathymetric and physiographic context. Lithocodium–Bacinella geobodies reach from kilometre‐scale ‘superstructures’ to delicate centimetre‐sized growth forms. Clearly, scale matters and care must be taken when drawing conclusions based on spatially limited observational data. Whilst the factors that cause Lithocodium–Bacinella expansion should probably be considered in a global context, regional to local factors affected growth patterns in a more predictable manner. Here, the unresolved taxonomic relationship remains the main obstacle in any attempt to unravel the response of Lithocodium–Bacinella to specific or interlinked environmental parameters as different organisms respond differently to changing environment. Acknowledging these limitations, the following tentative patterns are observed: (i) Lithocodium–Bacinella tolerated a wide range of hydrodynamic levels and responded to differences in energy level or physiographic settings (margin, intrashelf basin, inner platform) by obtaining characteristic growth forms. (ii) Lithocodium–Bacinella favoured low‐sediment input but had the ability to react to higher sedimentation rates by enhanced upward growth; a feature perhaps pointing to a phototrophic metabolism. Circumstantial evidence for continuous growth within the upper‐sediment column is debated. (iii) The availability of accommodation space had a direct influence on the maximum size of geobodies formed. (iv) Fluctuating nutrient levels and sea water alkalinity may have affected the growth potential of Lithocodium–Bacinella. Understanding the relationship between Lithocodium–Bacinella morphogenesis on a wide range of scales and local environmental parameters allows for better prediction of the spatial distribution of reservoir properties and also results in an improved interpretation of palaeoenvironments. This study might represent a useful first step in this direction.     

鸡西群城子河组时代的进一步探讨

近年来 ,古生物工作者在鸡西群城子河组及其相当地层的生物化石研究方面取得了巨大的进展。在总结这些新的材料的基础上 ,通过与国外的化石组合进行对比 ,从海相双壳类、植物、孢粉及海相沟鞭藻化石等多方面的证据 ,尤其是根据 Thracia rotundata、Vectianella、Pseudaphrodina ricordeana等欧洲 Aptian阶重要的双壳类化石、被子植物及三沟类被子植物花粉的出现 ,城子河组的时代应为 Aptian期 - Albian期早期     

Brachiopod events in the European Middle Cretaceous (Aptian-Cenomanian)

Brachiopod events in the European Middle Cretaceous (Aptian-Cenomanian). Brachiopod species proliferated in the Late Aptian and Cenomanian. Significant palaeobiogeographical events took place during the Middle Cretaceous, in particular during Early and Late Albian time.     

Inter-regional correlation of transgressions and regressions in the Cretaceous period

Well investigated platforms have been selected in each continent, and the history of Cretaceous transgressions and regressions there is concisely reviewed from the available evidence. The factual records have been summarized into a diagram and the timing of the events correlated between distant as well as adjoining areas.On a global scale, major transgressions were stepwise enlarged in space and time from the Neocomian, via Aptian-Albian, to the Late Cretaceous, and the post-Cretaceous regression was very remarkable. Minor cycles of transgression-regression were not always synchronous between different areas. Some of them were, however, nearly synchronous between the areas facing the same ocean.Tectono-eustasy may have been the main cause of the phenomena of transgression-regression, but certain kinds of other tectonic movements which affected even the so-called stable platforms were also responsible for the phenomena. The combined effects of various causes may have been unusual in the Cretaceous, since it was a period of global tectonic activity. The slowing down of this activity followed by readjustments may have been the cause of the global regression at the end of the Cretaceous.     

The Aptian-Cenomanian flora of primor’e, part 2: Correlation of floral assemblages

Taxonomic composition of plant fossils from the Aptian-Cenomanian sediments of the Alchan, Razdol’naya, and Partizanskaya depressions of Primor’e is studied in detail. Each of the established floral assemblages characterizes a particular stage of flora stabilization. Correlation of the assemblages is performed. Floral assemblages of the Alchan depression, which occur in association with macrofauna, are suggested to be the standard ones for the southern Far East. New species are described.     

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages of late Aptian-early Albian black shale intervals in the Vocontian Basin, SE France

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were analyzed from three black shale intervals in the upper Aptain to lower Albian of the Vocontian Basin, SE France based on Q-mode principal component analyses. Variations in the distribution patterns of benthic foraminifera around these events suggest differences in the origin of the black shales. Differences between faunas of bioturbated marly and laminated black shale facies have been observed in the Niveau Paquier, Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1b and Niveau Leenhardt. Here, the faunal composition and plankton/benthos ratios suggest eutrophic conditions during the deposition of organic-rich sediments leading to black shales. No major variations have been observed in black shales of the upper Aptain Niveau Jacob. Benthic assemblages and low plankton/benthos ratios indicate mesotrophic conditions. Third order sea-level changes are believed to control mainly the origin of the investigated black shale levels.     

Anatomy of ancient passive margin slope systems: Aptian gravity-driven deposition on the Vocontian palaeomargin, western Alps, south-east France

The Aptian succession on the Vocontian palaeomargin (south-east France) consists of marl and marly calcareous pelagic slope facies together with a range of gravity-driven deposits (slumps, debris-flow deposits, turbidite packages and massive sandstones). The massive sandstones were emplaced by high-density turbidity currents and are associated with extensive clastic sills and dykes. The sedimentology is constrained by a high-resolution bio- and lithostratigraphic framework and permits a detailed analysis of the slope succession including: (1) a sequence stratigraphical analysis of the slope deposits; and (2) lateral tracing of individual sedimentary packages downslope. The resulting model for the Vocontian slope represents an alternative to the ‘classic’ Exxon delta-fed, mud-rich model. Key elements of the Vocontian model are: (1) an emphasis on lowstand slope erosion and complex slope morphology controlled by contemporary tectonism and salt diapirism; (2) slope deposition in confined erosional and structurally controlled conduits rather than the buildout of slope fans/channel-levee complexes; (3) a dominance of large-volume muddy slump and transitional debris-flow deposits, with subordinate sandy turbidites, including significant massive sandstone facies; (4) common sand injections (sills and dykes) associated with the massive sandstone facies; and (5) minimal downslope evolution of the flows, with the nature of the source sediment being the over-riding factor determining flow behaviour and deposit character. The Vocontian system is a rare instance in which large sections of a ‘fossil’ passive margin slope are preserved in the geological record. The slope deposits differ from the classic models of turbidite systems that have mainly been built from peripheral foreland basins, and the new insight makes it possible to compare ancient and present-day passive margin slope systems.     

Ecological succession, palaeoenvironmental change, and depositional sequences of Barremian–Aptian shallow-water carbonates in northern Oman

Abstract Barremian and Aptian shallow‐water carbonate facies (uppermost Lekhwair, Kharaib and Shuaiba Formations) are described from outcrops in northern Oman. Based on facies analysis and bedding pattern, three orders of depositional sequences are defined (third to fifth order) and correlated between sections. Over the course of three third‐order sequences, covering the Barremian to Lower Aptian, a third‐order depositional pattern is documented that consists of a succession of three distinct faunal assemblages: discoidal orbitolinids and calcareous algae were deposited during early transgression; microbialites and microencrusters dominate the late transgressive to early highstand facies; and a rudist‐ and miliolid‐dominated facies is typical of the highstand. This ecological succession was controlled largely by palaeoenvironmental changes, such as trophic level and clay influx, rather than sedimentological factors controlled by variations in accommodation space. Orbitolinid beds and carbonates formed by microbialites and microencrusters seem to be the shallow‐water carbonate response to global changes affecting Late Barremian to Aptian palaeoclimate and palaeoceanography.