Oldest isotopically characterized fish otoliths provide insight to Jurassic continental climate of Europe

Research Article| March 01, 1999 Oldest isotopically characterized fish otoliths provide insight to Jurassic continental climate of Europe William P. Patterson William P. Patterson 1Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, 204 Heroy Geology Laboratory, Syracuse, New York 13244-1070, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information William P. Patterson 1Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, 204 Heroy Geology Laboratory, Syracuse, New York 13244-1070, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1999) 27 (3): 199–202. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0199:OICFOP>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 William P. Patterson; Oldest isotopically characterized fish otoliths provide insight to Jurassic continental climate of Europe. Geology 1999;; 27 (3): 199–202. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0199:OICFOP>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 Large, shallow, epeiric seas and adjacent lagoons such as those described herein likely played a significant role in moderating Jurassic coastal and continental climate. Jurassic (Bathonian) ocean surface temperatures in Scotland have been calculated from δ18O(CaCO3) values of a suite of the oldest well-preserved fish otoliths analyzed to date. Otolith δ18O values range from −4.7‰ to −1.9‰ (Vienna Peedee belemnite, VPDB), while δ13C(CaCO3) values vary from −5.4‰ to +1.5‰ (VPDB), representing the oldest stable isotopic record of paleodiet, paleoecology, and fish migration to date. Using a global ocean δ18O(H2O) value of −1.0‰ (Vienna standard mean ocean water, VSMOW) for an ice-free Jurassic, fish species that migrated from estuarine to open marine water record time-averaged temperatures of 23 °C. Estuarine fish, assuming a similar temperature, record variation in δ18O(H2O) values from −3.7‰ to −2.0‰ (VSMOW). That significant mixing of fresh water and seawater occurred in the Jurassic in Scotland is in general agreement with data presented by others (molluscan fauna, lithostratigraphy, paleogeography, and paleocirculation models). The δ18O values and temperatures derived in this study correspond to the meteorologic and hydrologic parameters of a mid-latitude maritime climate with low seasonality, a mean temperature of 23 °C, and abundant precipitation and humidity. The δ18O(H2O) values calculated from estuarine fish indicate that rainfall must have a δ18O(H2O) value lower than −3.7‰ (VSMOW). Values of δ18O and δ13C suggest an environment hydrologically similar to that observed in the Everglades of south Florida or the estuaries of south Texas, both notable fish nurseries today. However, sea-surface temperatures were lower than those of modern Florida or Texas as evidenced by reduced evaporative enrichment of δ18O(H2O) values. 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.