Phosphogenesis, carbon-isotope stratigraphy, and carbonate-platform evolution along the Lower Cretaceous northern Tethyan margin

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 1994 Phosphogenesis, carbon-isotope stratigraphy, and carbonate-platform evolution along the Lower Cretaceous northern Tethyan margin KARL B. FÖLLMI; KARL B. FÖLLMI 1Geological Institute, ETH Center, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar HELMUT WEISSERT; HELMUT WEISSERT 1Geological Institute, ETH Center, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MARTIN BISPING; MARTIN BISPING 1Geological Institute, ETH Center, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar HANSPETER FUNK HANSPETER FUNK 1Geological Institute, ETH Center, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information KARL B. FÖLLMI 1Geological Institute, ETH Center, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland HELMUT WEISSERT 1Geological Institute, ETH Center, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland MARTIN BISPING 1Geological Institute, ETH Center, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland HANSPETER FUNK 1Geological Institute, ETH Center, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1994) 106 (6): 729–746. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1994)106<0729:PCISAC>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation KARL B. FÖLLMI, HELMUT WEISSERT, MARTIN BISPING, HANSPETER FUNK; Phosphogenesis, carbon-isotope stratigraphy, and carbonate-platform evolution along the Lower Cretaceous northern Tethyan margin. GSA Bulletin 1994;; 106 (6): 729–746. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1994)106<0729:PCISAC>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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract We distinguish three different stages in the evolution of the Tithonian (Late Jurassic) to Aptian (Early Cretaceous) northern Tethyan carbonate platform: (1) carbonate production in the coral-oolite mode (late Tithonian to early Valanginian, early Barremian to early Aptian), (2) carbonate production in the crinoid-bryozoan mode (early Valanginian, Haute-rivian, late Aptian), and (3) platform retrogradation and destruction, condensation,and phosphogenesis (that is, platform drowning; early Valanginian to early Hauterivian,middle Hauterivian, late Hauterivian to early Barremian, early to early late Aptian, and latest Aptian to earliest Albian). Transitions from the coral-oolite mode to the crinoid-bryozoan mode and consequently to platform drowning may have been driven by increases in nutrient levels on the shelf. Phases of relative sea- level rise in times of carbonate production in the coral-oolite mode are named constructive, because of the observed platform regeneration following phases of widespread emersion during late sea-level highstands. In contrast,phases of relative sea-level rise in times of platform drowning are termed destructive.The δ13C stratigraphies obtained from Valanginian-Hauterivian and Aptian-Albian hemipelagic successions beyond the platform correlate well with the Early Cretaceous pelagic δ13C record. Positive excursions in the pelagic δ13C record correspond in time to episodes of platform drowning. This suggests the existence of a coupling mechanism between changes in the global carbon cycle and platform drowning. In our view, the Early Cretaceous crises in carbonate-platform growth were the consequence of reinforced greenhouse conditions, which may have been triggered by episodes of extensive, flood-basalt volcanism. Strong greenhouse conditions may have induced the following chain of feedback mechanisms, enabling the biosphere to return to normal conditions: climate warming → sea-level rise, accelerated water cycle, intensified weathering → nutrient mobilization → platform destruction, increased productivity increased phosphogenesis and carbon burial → weakened greenhouse conditions. 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.