Carbon dioxide in the Paleozoic atmosphere: Evidence from carbon-isotope compositions of pedogenic carbonate

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 1991 Carbon dioxide in the Paleozoic atmosphere: Evidence from carbon-isotope compositions of pedogenic carbonate Claudia I. Mora; Claudia I. Mora 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Steven G. Driese; Steven G. Driese 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paula G. Seager Paula G. Seager 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Claudia I. Mora 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Steven G. Driese 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Paula G. Seager 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1991) 19 (10): 1017–1020. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<1017:CDITPA>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Claudia I. Mora, Steven G. Driese, Paula G. Seager; Carbon dioxide in the Paleozoic atmosphere: Evidence from carbon-isotope compositions of pedogenic carbonate. Geology 1991;; 19 (10): 1017–1020. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<1017:CDITPA>2.3.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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Stable carbon-isotope compositions of pedogenic carbonate occurring in three clay-rich vertic paleosols within Paleozoic red-bed successions in central Pennsylvania provide a record of past pedogenic environments and can be used to estimate CO2 pressure (PCO2) of the Paleozoic atmosphere. The δ13C values of carbonate nodules from paleosols in the deltaic lower Bloomsburg Formation (Upper Silurian) reflect the contribution of carbon from marine groundwater or fossils, coupled with low biological activity. The δ13C values of carbonate rhizocretions from stratigraphically high paleosols in the Bloomsburg Formation, and in the alluvial Catskill (Upper Devonian) and Mauch Chunk (Upper Mississippian) Formations, suggest an extensive C3 flora and significant contribution of atmospheric CO2. Paleozoic atmospheric CO2 levels inferred from δ13C of pedogenic carbonate are significantly higher than present levels. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.