Patterns in bioclastic accumulation through the Phanerozoic: Changes in input or in destruction?

Research Article| December 01, 1994 Patterns in bioclastic accumulation through the Phanerozoic: Changes in input or in destruction? Susan M. Kidwell; Susan M. Kidwell 1Department of Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, 5734 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Patrick J. Brenchley Patrick J. Brenchley 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Susan M. Kidwell 1Department of Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, 5734 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637 Patrick J. Brenchley 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1994) 22 (12): 1139–1143. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<1139:PIBATT>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 MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Susan M. Kidwell, Patrick J. Brenchley; Patterns in bioclastic accumulation through the Phanerozoic: Changes in input or in destruction?. Geology 1994;; 22 (12): 1139–1143. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<1139:PIBATT>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 Evolutionary changes in the ecology and diversity of organisms that produce and destroy calcareous skeletons suggest that bioclastic concentrations themselves might have changed in nature through the Phanerozoic. Empirical data from marine siliciclastic records of Ordovician-Silurian, Jurassic, and Neogene ages indicate a significant increase in the thickness of densely packed bioclastic concentrations over geologic time, from a primarily thin-bedded brachiopod-dominated record in the Ordovician-Silurian to a mollusk-dominated record with many more and thicker shell beds in the Neogene. Jurassic shell beds vary in thickness with the Paleozoic or modern affinities of the chief constituents, suggesting, along with other evidence, that the Phanerozoic increase was determined neither by diagenesis nor by a shift in taphonomic conditions on the sea floor but rather by the evolution of bioclast producers, namely, groups with (1) more durable low-organic skeletons, (2) greater ecological success in high-energy habitats, and (3) on the basis of indirect evidence, higher rates of carbonate production. These results suggest that (1) reproductive and metabolic output has increased in benthic communities over time and (2) the scale of time averaging in benthic assemblages has increased owing to greater hard-part durability of modern groups. 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.