Evolution patterns of radiolaria and organic matter variations: A new approach to identify sea-level changes in mid-Cretaceous pelagic environments

Research Article| June 01, 1996 Evolution patterns of radiolaria and organic matter variations: A new approach to identify sea-level changes in mid-Cretaceous pelagic environments Jochen Erbacher; Jochen Erbacher 1Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie, Universität Tübingen, Sigwartstrasse 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jürgen Thurow; Jürgen Thurow 2University College of London, Department of Geological Sciences, Gower Street, London WC1 E6BT, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ralf Littke Ralf Littke 3Institut für Chemie und Dynamik der Geosphäre, KFA Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jochen Erbacher 1Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie, Universität Tübingen, Sigwartstrasse 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Jürgen Thurow 2University College of London, Department of Geological Sciences, Gower Street, London WC1 E6BT, United Kingdom Ralf Littke 3Institut für Chemie und Dynamik der Geosphäre, KFA Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1996) 24 (6): 499–502. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024<0499:EPORAO>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 Email Permissions Search Site Citation Jochen Erbacher, Jürgen Thurow, Ralf Littke; Evolution patterns of radiolaria and organic matter variations: A new approach to identify sea-level changes in mid-Cretaceous pelagic environments. Geology 1996;; 24 (6): 499–502. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024<0499:EPORAO>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 The relation between sea-level changes, plankton productivity, and evolution, as well as the occurrence of anoxic sediments, provides an interesting avenue of paleooceanographic research. In this context, we examined mid-Cretaceous radiolarian faunas, carbonate isotopic and organic matter type data of Deep Sea Drilling Project and Ocean Drilling Program cores from the North Atlantic, and samples from outcrops of the western Tethys from central and northern Italy. Former studies indicate that an expansion of the oxygen minimum zone caused plankton extinctions at the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary. An expanded oxygen minimum zone would destroy deeper habitats of planktic foraminifera, causing the extinction of deeper dwelling forms. Although this model is well established for the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary, not much is known about the causes of extinctions and radiations during the entire mid-Cretaceous (Aptian-Turonian). We demonstrate that the dimension of the oxygen minimum zone, which depends on the relative sea level and the corresponding nutrient supply, causes the complex pattern of evolution and radiation of planktic protozoa and the sedimentation of black shales in the mid-Cretaceous. This new depositional model allows correlation of micropaleontologic data and different types of black shales in the pelagic realm within a sequence stratigraphic framework. 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.