δ13C depth profiles from paleosols across the Permian-Triassic boundary: Evidence for methane release

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 2000 δ13C depth profiles from paleosols across the Permian-Triassic boundary: Evidence for methane release Evelyn S. Krull; Evelyn S. Krull 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1272, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gregory J. Retallack Gregory J. Retallack 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1272, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Evelyn S. Krull 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1272, USA Gregory J. Retallack 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1272, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 29 Jun 1998 Revision Received: 29 Nov 1999 Accepted: 26 Jan 2000 First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2000) 112 (9): 1459–1472. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<1459:CDPFPA>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 29 Jun 1998 Revision Received: 29 Nov 1999 Accepted: 26 Jan 2000 First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Evelyn S. Krull, Gregory J. Retallack; δ13C depth profiles from paleosols across the Permian-Triassic boundary: Evidence for methane release. GSA Bulletin 2000;; 112 (9): 1459–1472. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<1459:CDPFPA>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Stable carbon isotopic analyses of organic carbon (δ13C) in individual paleosol profiles from Permian–Triassic sequences of Antarctica reveal systematic isotopic variations with profile depth. These variations are in many cases analogous to those in modern soils, which are functions of redox conditions, soil development, and degree and type of microbial decay. In modern soils, these isotopic depth functions develop independently from vegetation changes (C3 versus C4 vegetation) and can be diagnostic of soil orders. This study shows that soil-intrinsic functions can be preserved in the δ13C values of paleosols as old as 260 Ma and constitute valuable data for paleoecological interpretations.A large carbon isotopic offset of as much as 10‰ in whole paleosol profiles across the Permian-Triassic boundary indicates significant changes in the soil biogeochemistry and the soil-atmosphere system. Early Triassic paleosols are distinctive in their extremely low δ13C values (to −42‰) and often show an anomalous δ13C depth distribution compared to both Permian paleosols and modern soils. Highly depleted δ13C values, as the ones in Early Triassic paleosols, are suggested to be associated with microbial methane oxidation (methanotrophy). This hypothesis implies increased methane concentrations in the Early Triassic soil-atmosphere system. Increased atmospheric methane was probably partly responsible for the global carbon isotopic shift documented in marine and terrestrial sediments across the Permian–Triassic boundary. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.