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Early Eocene carbon isotope excursions in a lignite bearing succession at the southern edge of the proto-North Sea

Lenz, Olaf K. ; Montag, Mara ; Wilde, Volker ; Methner, Katharina ; Riegel, Walter ; Mulch, Andreas (2022)
Early Eocene carbon isotope excursions in a lignite bearing succession at the southern edge of the proto-North Sea.
In: Climate of the Past, 18 (10)
doi: 10.5194/cp-18-2231-2022
Artikel, Bibliographie

Kurzbeschreibung (Abstract)

Situated at the southern edge of the proto-North Sea, the lower Eocene Schöningen Formation of the Helmstedt Lignite Mining District, Lower Saxony, Germany, is characterized by several lignite seams alternating with estuarine to brackish interbeds. Here, we present carbon isotope data for bulk organic matter (δ13CTOC), total organic carbon content (%TOC), and palynomorphs from a 98 m thick sequence of the Schöningen Formation in combination with a new robust age model, which is based on eustatic sea level changes, biostratigraphy, and a correlation with existing radiometric ages. Based on the δ13CTOC data we observe six negative carbon isotope excursions (CIEs) reflecting massive short-term carbon cycle perturbations. A strong CIE of −2.6 ‰ in δ13CTOC values in the Main Seam and the succeeding marine interbed can be related to the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The subsequent CIE of −1.7 ‰ in δ13CTOC values may be correlated with the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM2) or slightly older events preceding the ETM2. High-amplitude climate fluctuations including at least four minor CIEs with a maximum negative shift of −1.3 ‰ in δ13CTOC in the upper part of the studied section are characteristic of the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO). Palynological analysis across the Main Seam proved that shifts in δ13CTOC values are correlated with changes in the peat-forming wetland vegetation, specifically the change from a mixed angiosperm and gymnosperm flora to angiosperm-dominated vegetation at the onset of the PETM. The PETM-related CIE shows a distinct rebound to higher δ13CTOC values shortly after the onset of the CIE, which is recognized here as a common feature of terrestrial and marginal marine PETM records worldwide and may reflect a stepwise injection of carbon into the atmosphere.

Typ des Eintrags: Artikel
Erschienen: 2022
Autor(en): Lenz, Olaf K. ; Montag, Mara ; Wilde, Volker ; Methner, Katharina ; Riegel, Walter ; Mulch, Andreas
Art des Eintrags: Bibliographie
Titel: Early Eocene carbon isotope excursions in a lignite bearing succession at the southern edge of the proto-North Sea
Sprache: Englisch
Publikationsjahr: 12 Oktober 2022
Verlag: Copernicus Publ.
Titel der Zeitschrift, Zeitung oder Schriftenreihe: Climate of the Past
Jahrgang/Volume einer Zeitschrift: 18
(Heft-)Nummer: 10
DOI: 10.5194/cp-18-2231-2022
Kurzbeschreibung (Abstract):

Situated at the southern edge of the proto-North Sea, the lower Eocene Schöningen Formation of the Helmstedt Lignite Mining District, Lower Saxony, Germany, is characterized by several lignite seams alternating with estuarine to brackish interbeds. Here, we present carbon isotope data for bulk organic matter (δ13CTOC), total organic carbon content (%TOC), and palynomorphs from a 98 m thick sequence of the Schöningen Formation in combination with a new robust age model, which is based on eustatic sea level changes, biostratigraphy, and a correlation with existing radiometric ages. Based on the δ13CTOC data we observe six negative carbon isotope excursions (CIEs) reflecting massive short-term carbon cycle perturbations. A strong CIE of −2.6 ‰ in δ13CTOC values in the Main Seam and the succeeding marine interbed can be related to the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The subsequent CIE of −1.7 ‰ in δ13CTOC values may be correlated with the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM2) or slightly older events preceding the ETM2. High-amplitude climate fluctuations including at least four minor CIEs with a maximum negative shift of −1.3 ‰ in δ13CTOC in the upper part of the studied section are characteristic of the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO). Palynological analysis across the Main Seam proved that shifts in δ13CTOC values are correlated with changes in the peat-forming wetland vegetation, specifically the change from a mixed angiosperm and gymnosperm flora to angiosperm-dominated vegetation at the onset of the PETM. The PETM-related CIE shows a distinct rebound to higher δ13CTOC values shortly after the onset of the CIE, which is recognized here as a common feature of terrestrial and marginal marine PETM records worldwide and may reflect a stepwise injection of carbon into the atmosphere.

Fachbereich(e)/-gebiet(e): 11 Fachbereich Material- und Geowissenschaften
11 Fachbereich Material- und Geowissenschaften > Geowissenschaften
11 Fachbereich Material- und Geowissenschaften > Geowissenschaften > Fachgebiet Angewandte Sedimentgeologie
Hinterlegungsdatum: 15 Jan 2024 13:30
Letzte Änderung: 17 Jan 2024 12:56
PPN: 514767359
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