Conodont apatite δ18O signatures indicate climatic cooling as a trigger of the Late Devonian mass extinction

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2002 Conodont apatite δ18O signatures indicate climatic cooling as a trigger of the Late Devonian mass extinction Michael M. Joachimski; Michael M. Joachimski 1Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen, Schlossgarten 5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Werner Buggisch Werner Buggisch 1Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen, Schlossgarten 5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2002) 30 (8): 711–714. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0711:CAOSIC>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 26 Dec 2001 rev-recd: 23 Apr 2002 accepted: 30 Apr 2002 first online: 02 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 Michael M. Joachimski, Werner Buggisch; Conodont apatite δ18O signatures indicate climatic cooling as a trigger of the Late Devonian mass extinction. Geology 2002;; 30 (8): 711–714. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0711:CAOSIC>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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The oxygen isotopic composition of conodont apatite from two Frasnian-Famennian boundary sections was measured in order to reconstruct variations in marine paleotemperatures during the late Frasnian mass-extinction event. The measured conodont apatite δ18O values reveal two positive excursions with maximum amplitudes of +1‰ to +1.5‰ that parallel positive excursions in the carbonate carbon isotopic composition. The +3‰ excursions in carbonate δ13C have been interpreted as consequences of enhanced organic carbon burial rate resulting in a decrease in atmospheric CO2 concentration. Climatic cooling as a potential consequence of lower atmospheric CO2 concentration is confirmed by the conodont apatite δ18O records, which translate into cooling of low-latitude surface waters by 5–7 °C. Repeated cooling of the low latitudes during the late Frasnian had a severe impact on the tropical shallow-water faunas that were probably adapted to warm surface-water temperatures and severely affected during the late Frasnian crisis. These prominent variations in ocean-water temperature were stressful to the tropical shallow-water fauna and potentially culminated in low origination rates of new species, one of the major factors of the decline in diversity during the latest Frasnian. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.