Productivity across the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary in high latitudes

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 1994 Productivity across the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary in high latitudes ENRIQUETA BARRERA; ENRIQUETA BARRERA 1Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GERTA KELLER GERTA KELLER 1Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information ENRIQUETA BARRERA 1Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 GERTA KELLER 1Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 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 (10): 1254–1266. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1994)106<1254:PATCTB>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 Email Permissions Search Site Citation ENRIQUETA BARRERA, GERTA KELLER; Productivity across the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary in high latitudes. GSA Bulletin 1994;; 106 (10): 1254–1266. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1994)106<1254:PATCTB>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 In low and middle latitudes, the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary is marked by a sudden and pronounced decrease in δ13C values of near-surface-water carbonates and a reduction in the surface-to-bottom δ13C gradient. These isotopic data have been interpreted as evidence of a decline in surface-water productivity that was responsible for the extinction of many planktic foraminiferal species and other marine organisms at or near the K/T boundary. We present planktic and benthic foraminiferal isotopic data from two almost biostratigraphically complete sections at Ocean Drilling Program Site 738 in the antarctic Indian Ocean and at Nye Kløv in Denmark. These data suggest that planktic carbonate δ13C values in high latitudes may not have decreased dramatically at the K/T boundary; thus, surface-water productivity may not have been reduced as much as in low and middle latitudes. Comparison of the records of Site 738 with those of ODP Sites 690 and 750 indicates a pronounced decline in δ13C values of planktic and benthic foraminifera and fine-fraction/bulk carbonate ∼200 000 yr after the K/T boundary. This reflects a regional shift in the carbon isotopic composition of oceanic total dissolved carbon (TDC) and correlates with a similar change in benthic foraminiferal δ13C values at mid- and low-latitude Deep Sea Drilling Project Sites 527 and 577. This oceanographic event was followed by the ecosystem's global recovery ∼500 000 yr after the K/T boundary. These data suggest that the environmental effects of the K/T boundary may have been less severe in the high-latitude oceans than in tropical and subtropical regions. 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.