Ocean temperatures and isotopic compositions through time

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fossil assemblages can give quantitative estimates of palaeotemperatures, by comparison with modern biota, only in the recent geological past. Oxygen isotopic palaeotemperatures on calcareous or phosphatic fossils are potentially available for the whole Phanerozoic. Their reliability is limited by physiological effects (generally believed minor), preservation (for which criteria are available), and by uncertainty in the isotopic composition of ancient seawater. The latter is greatly affected by glaciation. In the Cenozoic, the relative contribution of ice-volume change and temperature change in producing isotopic variations can largely be resolved by analysing planktonic and benthic foraminifera in deep-sea cores. For earlier times only continental shelf deposits are available. In the Mesozoic, reasonable assumptions about ocean isotopic composition lead to palaeotemperature estimates that suggest generally higher temperatures than at present, particularly for mid- to high latitudes. This agrees with estimates based on biotic distributions. Late Palaeozoic glaciation is reflected in variable isotopic compositions in high palaeolatitude areas. In the earlier Palaeozoic, well-preserved fossils indicate either oceans enriched in 16 O compared to today's or generally higher temperatures; controversy continues about the relative importance of the two effects.