Profound biotic changes accompanied the late Cenomanian d 13 C excursion and OAE2 in planktic for... more Profound biotic changes accompanied the late Cenomanian d 13 C excursion and OAE2 in planktic foraminifera in the Tarfaya Basin of Morocco. Planktic foraminifera experienced a severe turnover, though no mass extinction, beginning with the rapid d 13 C excursion and accelerating with the influx of oxic bottom waters during the first peak and trough of the excursion. Species extinctions equaled the number of evolving species, though only the disaster opportunists Guembelitria and Hedbergella thrived along with a low oxygen tolerant benthic assemblage. The succeeding d 13 C plateau and organic-rich black shale deposition marks the anoxic event and maximum biotic stress accompanied by a prolonged drop in diversity to just two species, the dominant (80-90%) low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix moremani and surface dweller Hedbergella planispira. After the anoxic event other species returned, but remained rare and sporadically present well into the lower Turonian, whereas Heterohelix moremani remained the single dominant species. The OAE2 biotic turnover suggests that the stress to calcareous plankton was related to changes in the watermass stratification, intensity of upwelling, nutrient flux and oxic levels in the water column driven by changes in climate and oceanic circulation. Results presented here demonstrate a 4-stage pattern of biotic response to the onset, duration, and recovery of OAE2 that is observed widely across the Tethys and its bordering epicontinental seas.
Changes in the stress field of an aquifer system induced by seismotectonic activity may change th... more Changes in the stress field of an aquifer system induced by seismotectonic activity may change the mixing ratio of groundwaters with different compositions in a well, leading to hydrochemical signals which in principle could be related to discrete earthquake events. Due to the complexity of the interactions and the multitude of involved factors the identification of such relationships is a difficult task. In this study we present an empiric statistical approach suitable to analyse if there is an interdependency between changes in the chemical composition of monitoring wells and the regional seismotectonic activity of a considered area. To allow a rigorous comparison with hydrochemistry the regional earthquake time series was aggregated into an univariate time series. This was realized by expressing each earthquake in form of a parameter beQ, taking into consideration both energetic (magnitude of a seismic event) and spatial parameters (position of epi/hypocentrum relative to the monitoring site). The earthquake and the hydrochemical time-series were synchronised aggregating the e-parameters into bearthquake activityQ functions E, which takes into account the time of sampling relative to the earthquakes which occurred in the considered area. For the definition of the aggregation functions a variety of different beQ parameters were considered. The set of earthquake functions E was grouped by means of factor analysis to select a limited number of significant and representative earthquake functions E to be used further on in the relation analysis with the multivariate hydrochemical data set. From the hydrochemical data a restricted number of hydrochemical factors were extracted. Factor scores allow to represent and analyse the variation of the hydrochemical factors as a function of time. Finally, regression analysis was used to detect those hydrochemical factors which significantly correlate with the aggregated earthquake functions.
Both hydrogeologic conditions and biogeochemical processes control As distribution of shallow gro... more Both hydrogeologic conditions and biogeochemical processes control As distribution of shallow groundwaters, which results in the occurrence of low As groundwater in alluvial fans and near irrigation channels and drainage channels.
Batch and column experiments were conducted on As adsorption from aqueous solution by natural sol... more Batch and column experiments were conducted on As adsorption from aqueous solution by natural solids to test the feasibility of these materials to act as adsorbents for As removal from groundwater and drinking water. The solids considered are natural hematite and natural siderite. The As species studied are As(V), As(III) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Arsenic(III), As(V) and DMA were removed to different extents by the solids studied from water solutions containing these three As species, with the highest efficiency for As(V). In aqueous solutions with a mixture of As species, adsorption kinetics depend on the species. On both materials, As(V) was preferentially adsorbed in the batches and first reached equilibrium, followed by DMA and As(III). The As adsorption took place more slowly on natural hematite and natural siderite compared with ferrihydrite. The results demonstrate that the amount of As removed from As(III) batches was greater than that from As(V) batches due to a surface alteration of the solids caused by As(III) oxidation. Although the highest efficiency for As retention was observed on hematite HIO1 in the batch experiments, siderite used as column filling was more efficient in removing As from water containing the As species studied in comparison with hematite. The coating of fresh Fe(III)-oxides was much more intensive in the siderite-packed column than in the hematite-packed column. The combination of siderite and hematite would promote the column filling performance in removing As from aqueous solution.
Surface dwelling planktic foraminifera, H. planispira, register a +2.0 to 2.5 ppm delta13C excurs... more Surface dwelling planktic foraminifera, H. planispira, register a +2.0 to 2.5 ppm delta13C excursion straddling the Harland Shale and Bridge Creek Limestone member (latest Cenomanian) at the Pueblo Stratotype, Colorado. Post-excursion, the delta13C values remain at approximately 2.0 ppm dipping only slightly in the early Turonian (H. helvetica zone). During the initial phases of the delta13C excursion, 5 planktic species consecutively become extinct (Rotalipora deekei, R. greenhornensis, R. cushmani, P. inornata, G. bentonensis). These are subsequently replaced in the latter stages of the excursions by 5 new species with high depth tolerances, resulting in no net diversity loss. The extinction is therefore likely to have been as a direct result from the increased water mass stratification. A temporary decrease in bottom water productivity is also suggested by oxygenated bottom waters (presence of Cibidicoides) and a minimum of low O_2 tolerant species (hetrohelicids). Elevated HI/OH...
Biostratigraphy and stable isotopes indicate that the global stratotype section and point (GSSP) ... more Biostratigraphy and stable isotopes indicate that the global stratotype section and point (GSSP) at Pueblo contains an essentially complete sedimentary record across the global ocean anoxic event (OAE 2) and the Cenomanian -Turonian boundary. The OAE 2 d 13 C shift occurred over a period of about 90 ky and was accompanied by a major sea level transgression, which at its peak was marked by an incursion of oxygen-rich waters creating a benthic oxic zone that lasted about 100 ky. A mid-Cenomanian d 13 C shift, sea level transgression and faunal turnover occurred about 2 my before OAE 2. d 18 O values of the planktic foraminifer Hedbergella planispira and its relative abundance changes reveal cyclic variations in surface salinity due to alternating freshwater influx and marine incursions, whereas dominance by the low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix species indicates a well-developed oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) for most of the middle to late Cenomanian and early Turonian.
The distribution of As was explored in soils and crops in order to investigate the influence of i... more The distribution of As was explored in soils and crops in order to investigate the influence of irrigation with As rich groundwater on the soil–plant system, and to determine its impact on the environment and human health. The study was carried out in an intensively cultivated ...
ABSTRACT Dissolved organic C (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of As from sedimen... more ABSTRACT Dissolved organic C (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of As from sediments. In West Bengal, the widely used technique for obtaining jute fiber involves retting of the jute plant in ponds (hereafter such ponds are termed jute decomposing ponds) for several weeks, which produces significant amounts of DOC in the ponds. These ponds thus act as point sources of DOC and supply huge quantities of organic C to the Bengal Delta sediments. This study has been carried out to investigate the role of such DOC in enriching the groundwater with As in the Bengal Delta. Data clearly show that due to the effect of DOC, As is mobilized from the upper 2.6m of the sediment profile, and is fixed between 2.6 and 6.1m, while the lower part (6.1–9m) largely remains unaffected. The reducing conditions mainly developed due to the decay of the percolating DOC seem to help the mobilization and transportation of As and other redox sensitive elements (Fe, Mn), as well as elements (Cu, Zn) attached to oxy-hydroxides of those redox-sensitive elements. Experiments also indicate that if the DOC production at the surface continues for a longer period of time, the zone of As fixation (2.6–6.1m) may get shifted further downwards and ultimately intercept the water table resulting in As enrichment of groundwater.
Apatite (U–Th–Sm)/He (AHe) thermochronology is increasingly used for reconstructing geodynamic pr... more Apatite (U–Th–Sm)/He (AHe) thermochronology is increasingly used for reconstructing geodynamic processes of the upper crust and the surface. Results of AHe thermochronology, however, are often in conflict with apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronology, yielding an inverted age-relationship with AHe dates older than AFT dates of the same samples. This effect is mainly explained by radiation damage of apatite, either impeding
ABSTRACT Dissolved organic C (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of As from sedimen... more ABSTRACT Dissolved organic C (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of As from sediments. In West Bengal, the widely used technique for obtaining jute fiber involves retting of the jute plant in ponds (hereafter such ponds are termed jute decomposing ponds) for several weeks, which produces significant amounts of DOC in the ponds. These ponds thus act as point sources of DOC and supply huge quantities of organic C to the Bengal Delta sediments. This study has been carried out to investigate the role of such DOC in enriching the groundwater with As in the Bengal Delta. Data clearly show that due to the effect of DOC, As is mobilized from the upper 2.6m of the sediment profile, and is fixed between 2.6 and 6.1m, while the lower part (6.1–9m) largely remains unaffected. The reducing conditions mainly developed due to the decay of the percolating DOC seem to help the mobilization and transportation of As and other redox sensitive elements (Fe, Mn), as well as elements (Cu, Zn) attached to oxy-hydroxides of those redox-sensitive elements. Experiments also indicate that if the DOC production at the surface continues for a longer period of time, the zone of As fixation (2.6–6.1m) may get shifted further downwards and ultimately intercept the water table resulting in As enrichment of groundwater.
The response of shallow-water sequences to oceanic anoxic event 2 and mid-Cenomanian events 1a an... more The response of shallow-water sequences to oceanic anoxic event 2 and mid-Cenomanian events 1a and 1b was investigated along the west African margin of Morocco north of Agadir (Azazoul) and correlated with the deep-water sequence of the Tarfaya Basin (Mohammed Beach) based on biostratigraphy, mineralogy, phosphorus and stable isotopes. In the deeper Mohammed Beach section results show double peaks in δ13Corg for mid-Cenomanian events 1a and 1b (Rotalipora reicheli biozone, lower CC10a biozone), the characteristic oceanic anoxic event 2 δ13C excursion (Rotalipora cushmani extinction, top of CC10a biozone) and laminated (anoxic) black shale. In the shallow environment north of Agadir, a fluctuating sea-level associated with dysoxic, brackish and mesotrophic conditions prevailed during the middle to late Cenomanian, as indicated by oyster biostromes, nannofossils, planktonic and benthonic foraminiferal assemblages. Anoxic conditions characteristic of oceanic anoxic event 2 (for example, laminated black shales) did not reach into shallow-water environments until the maximum transgression of the early Turonian. Climate conditions decoupled along the western margin of Morocco between mid-Cenomanian event 1b and the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary, as also observed in eastern Tethys. North of Agadir alternating humid and dry seasonal conditions prevailed, whereas in the Tarfaya Basin the climate was dry and seasonal. This climatic decoupling can be attributed to variations in the Intertropical Convergence Zone and in the intensity of the north-east trade winds in tropical areas.
The response of shallow-water sequences to oceanic anoxic event 2 and mid-Cenomanian events 1a an... more The response of shallow-water sequences to oceanic anoxic event 2 and mid-Cenomanian events 1a and 1b was investigated along the west African margin of Morocco north of Agadir (Azazoul) and correlated with the deep-water sequence of the Tarfaya Basin (Mohammed Beach) based on biostratigraphy, mineralogy, phosphorus and stable isotopes. In the deeper Mohammed Beach section results show double peaks in d 13 C org for mid-Cenomanian events 1a and 1b (Rotalipora reicheli biozone, lower CC10a biozone), the characteristic oceanic anoxic event 2 d 13 C excursion (Rotalipora cushmani extinction, top of CC10a biozone) and laminated (anoxic) black shale. In the shallow environment north of Agadir, a fluctuating sea-level associated with dysoxic, brackish and mesotrophic conditions prevailed during the middle to late Cenomanian, as indicated by oyster biostromes, nannofossils, planktonic and benthonic foraminiferal assemblages. Anoxic conditions characteristic of oceanic anoxic event 2 (for example, laminated black shales) did not reach into shallow-water environments until the maximum transgression of the early Turonian. Climate conditions decoupled along the western margin of Morocco between mid-Cenomanian event 1b and the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary, as also observed in eastern Tethys. North of Agadir alternating humid and dry seasonal conditions prevailed, whereas in the Tarfaya Basin the climate was dry and seasonal. This climatic decoupling can be attributed to variations in the Intertropical Convergence Zone and in the intensity of the north-east trade winds in tropical areas.
Stable isotopes of the surface dwelling planktic foraminifera Hedbergella planispira, its abundan... more Stable isotopes of the surface dwelling planktic foraminifera Hedbergella planispira, its abundance variations, and mineralogical analysis of the Cenomanian–Turonian at Pueblo, CO, reveal cyclic variations in surface salinity due to changes in precipitation, freshwater influx, marine incursions and long-term sea-level fluctuations. Hedbergella planispira is a proxy for salinity variations, as indicated by 2–4x more negative d18O values in intervals of peak abundances as compared to intervals with reduced populations. Negative d18O values reflect periods of brackish surface waters caused by freshwater influx during wet humid periods, accompanied by increased clastic transport. More positive d18O values reflect more normal marine salinities as a result of arid periods and/or marine incursions and correlate with intervals of increased biogenic carbonate deposition. The magnitude of salinity variations during the low sea-level of the Hartland Shale is twice that during the sea-level transgression of the Bridge Creek Limestone. The rapid positive d13C shift that marks the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2) at Pueblo occurred over a period of about 100 ky (93.90–94.00 Ma), and coincided with the major sea level transgression that culminated in the deposition of the basal Bridge Creek Limestone. A positive d13C shift also occurred in the Rotalipora cushmani zone prior to OAE 2 and coincided with a sea level rise and enhanced preservation of terrestrial organic matter. The likely cause for OAE 2 is depletion of 12C in the water column as a result of high primary productivity, whereas an earlier R. cushmani zone event was primarily caused by increased input of terrigenous organic matter. Both d13C events are associated with enhanced organic matter preservation and anoxic or dysoxic bottom waters.
Profound biotic changes accompanied the late Cenomanian d13C excursion and OAE2 in planktic foram... more Profound biotic changes accompanied the late Cenomanian d13C excursion and OAE2 in planktic foraminifera in the Tarfaya Basin of Morocco. Planktic foraminifera experienced a severe turnover, though no mass extinction, beginning with the rapid d13C excursion and accelerating with the influx of oxic bottom waters during the first peak and trough of the excursion. Species extinctions equaled the number of evolving species, though only the disaster opportunists Guembelitria and Hedbergella thrived along with a low oxygen tolerant benthic assemblage. The succeeding d13C plateau and organic-rich black shale deposition marks the anoxic event and maximum biotic stress accompanied by a prolonged drop in diversity to just two species, the dominant (80–90%) low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix moremani and surface dweller Hedbergella planispira. After the anoxic event other species returned, but remained rare and sporadically present well into the lower Turonian, whereas Heterohelix moremani remained the single dominant species. The OAE2 biotic turnover suggests that the stress to calcareous plankton was related to changes in the watermass stratification, intensity of upwelling, nutrient flux and oxic levels in the water column driven by changes in climate and oceanic circulation. Results presented here demonstrate a 4-stage pattern of biotic response to the onset, duration, and recovery of OAE2 that is observed widely across the Tethys and its bordering epicontinental seas.
Profound biotic changes accompanied the late Cenomanian d 13 C excursion and OAE2 in planktic for... more Profound biotic changes accompanied the late Cenomanian d 13 C excursion and OAE2 in planktic foraminifera in the Tarfaya Basin of Morocco. Planktic foraminifera experienced a severe turnover, though no mass extinction, beginning with the rapid d 13 C excursion and accelerating with the influx of oxic bottom waters during the first peak and trough of the excursion. Species extinctions equaled the number of evolving species, though only the disaster opportunists Guembelitria and Hedbergella thrived along with a low oxygen tolerant benthic assemblage. The succeeding d 13 C plateau and organic-rich black shale deposition marks the anoxic event and maximum biotic stress accompanied by a prolonged drop in diversity to just two species, the dominant (80-90%) low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix moremani and surface dweller Hedbergella planispira. After the anoxic event other species returned, but remained rare and sporadically present well into the lower Turonian, whereas Heterohelix moremani remained the single dominant species. The OAE2 biotic turnover suggests that the stress to calcareous plankton was related to changes in the watermass stratification, intensity of upwelling, nutrient flux and oxic levels in the water column driven by changes in climate and oceanic circulation. Results presented here demonstrate a 4-stage pattern of biotic response to the onset, duration, and recovery of OAE2 that is observed widely across the Tethys and its bordering epicontinental seas.
Changes in the stress field of an aquifer system induced by seismotectonic activity may change th... more Changes in the stress field of an aquifer system induced by seismotectonic activity may change the mixing ratio of groundwaters with different compositions in a well, leading to hydrochemical signals which in principle could be related to discrete earthquake events. Due to the complexity of the interactions and the multitude of involved factors the identification of such relationships is a difficult task. In this study we present an empiric statistical approach suitable to analyse if there is an interdependency between changes in the chemical composition of monitoring wells and the regional seismotectonic activity of a considered area. To allow a rigorous comparison with hydrochemistry the regional earthquake time series was aggregated into an univariate time series. This was realized by expressing each earthquake in form of a parameter beQ, taking into consideration both energetic (magnitude of a seismic event) and spatial parameters (position of epi/hypocentrum relative to the monitoring site). The earthquake and the hydrochemical time-series were synchronised aggregating the e-parameters into bearthquake activityQ functions E, which takes into account the time of sampling relative to the earthquakes which occurred in the considered area. For the definition of the aggregation functions a variety of different beQ parameters were considered. The set of earthquake functions E was grouped by means of factor analysis to select a limited number of significant and representative earthquake functions E to be used further on in the relation analysis with the multivariate hydrochemical data set. From the hydrochemical data a restricted number of hydrochemical factors were extracted. Factor scores allow to represent and analyse the variation of the hydrochemical factors as a function of time. Finally, regression analysis was used to detect those hydrochemical factors which significantly correlate with the aggregated earthquake functions.
Both hydrogeologic conditions and biogeochemical processes control As distribution of shallow gro... more Both hydrogeologic conditions and biogeochemical processes control As distribution of shallow groundwaters, which results in the occurrence of low As groundwater in alluvial fans and near irrigation channels and drainage channels.
Batch and column experiments were conducted on As adsorption from aqueous solution by natural sol... more Batch and column experiments were conducted on As adsorption from aqueous solution by natural solids to test the feasibility of these materials to act as adsorbents for As removal from groundwater and drinking water. The solids considered are natural hematite and natural siderite. The As species studied are As(V), As(III) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Arsenic(III), As(V) and DMA were removed to different extents by the solids studied from water solutions containing these three As species, with the highest efficiency for As(V). In aqueous solutions with a mixture of As species, adsorption kinetics depend on the species. On both materials, As(V) was preferentially adsorbed in the batches and first reached equilibrium, followed by DMA and As(III). The As adsorption took place more slowly on natural hematite and natural siderite compared with ferrihydrite. The results demonstrate that the amount of As removed from As(III) batches was greater than that from As(V) batches due to a surface alteration of the solids caused by As(III) oxidation. Although the highest efficiency for As retention was observed on hematite HIO1 in the batch experiments, siderite used as column filling was more efficient in removing As from water containing the As species studied in comparison with hematite. The coating of fresh Fe(III)-oxides was much more intensive in the siderite-packed column than in the hematite-packed column. The combination of siderite and hematite would promote the column filling performance in removing As from aqueous solution.
Surface dwelling planktic foraminifera, H. planispira, register a +2.0 to 2.5 ppm delta13C excurs... more Surface dwelling planktic foraminifera, H. planispira, register a +2.0 to 2.5 ppm delta13C excursion straddling the Harland Shale and Bridge Creek Limestone member (latest Cenomanian) at the Pueblo Stratotype, Colorado. Post-excursion, the delta13C values remain at approximately 2.0 ppm dipping only slightly in the early Turonian (H. helvetica zone). During the initial phases of the delta13C excursion, 5 planktic species consecutively become extinct (Rotalipora deekei, R. greenhornensis, R. cushmani, P. inornata, G. bentonensis). These are subsequently replaced in the latter stages of the excursions by 5 new species with high depth tolerances, resulting in no net diversity loss. The extinction is therefore likely to have been as a direct result from the increased water mass stratification. A temporary decrease in bottom water productivity is also suggested by oxygenated bottom waters (presence of Cibidicoides) and a minimum of low O_2 tolerant species (hetrohelicids). Elevated HI/OH...
Biostratigraphy and stable isotopes indicate that the global stratotype section and point (GSSP) ... more Biostratigraphy and stable isotopes indicate that the global stratotype section and point (GSSP) at Pueblo contains an essentially complete sedimentary record across the global ocean anoxic event (OAE 2) and the Cenomanian -Turonian boundary. The OAE 2 d 13 C shift occurred over a period of about 90 ky and was accompanied by a major sea level transgression, which at its peak was marked by an incursion of oxygen-rich waters creating a benthic oxic zone that lasted about 100 ky. A mid-Cenomanian d 13 C shift, sea level transgression and faunal turnover occurred about 2 my before OAE 2. d 18 O values of the planktic foraminifer Hedbergella planispira and its relative abundance changes reveal cyclic variations in surface salinity due to alternating freshwater influx and marine incursions, whereas dominance by the low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix species indicates a well-developed oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) for most of the middle to late Cenomanian and early Turonian.
The distribution of As was explored in soils and crops in order to investigate the influence of i... more The distribution of As was explored in soils and crops in order to investigate the influence of irrigation with As rich groundwater on the soil–plant system, and to determine its impact on the environment and human health. The study was carried out in an intensively cultivated ...
ABSTRACT Dissolved organic C (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of As from sedimen... more ABSTRACT Dissolved organic C (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of As from sediments. In West Bengal, the widely used technique for obtaining jute fiber involves retting of the jute plant in ponds (hereafter such ponds are termed jute decomposing ponds) for several weeks, which produces significant amounts of DOC in the ponds. These ponds thus act as point sources of DOC and supply huge quantities of organic C to the Bengal Delta sediments. This study has been carried out to investigate the role of such DOC in enriching the groundwater with As in the Bengal Delta. Data clearly show that due to the effect of DOC, As is mobilized from the upper 2.6m of the sediment profile, and is fixed between 2.6 and 6.1m, while the lower part (6.1–9m) largely remains unaffected. The reducing conditions mainly developed due to the decay of the percolating DOC seem to help the mobilization and transportation of As and other redox sensitive elements (Fe, Mn), as well as elements (Cu, Zn) attached to oxy-hydroxides of those redox-sensitive elements. Experiments also indicate that if the DOC production at the surface continues for a longer period of time, the zone of As fixation (2.6–6.1m) may get shifted further downwards and ultimately intercept the water table resulting in As enrichment of groundwater.
Apatite (U–Th–Sm)/He (AHe) thermochronology is increasingly used for reconstructing geodynamic pr... more Apatite (U–Th–Sm)/He (AHe) thermochronology is increasingly used for reconstructing geodynamic processes of the upper crust and the surface. Results of AHe thermochronology, however, are often in conflict with apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronology, yielding an inverted age-relationship with AHe dates older than AFT dates of the same samples. This effect is mainly explained by radiation damage of apatite, either impeding
ABSTRACT Dissolved organic C (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of As from sedimen... more ABSTRACT Dissolved organic C (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of As from sediments. In West Bengal, the widely used technique for obtaining jute fiber involves retting of the jute plant in ponds (hereafter such ponds are termed jute decomposing ponds) for several weeks, which produces significant amounts of DOC in the ponds. These ponds thus act as point sources of DOC and supply huge quantities of organic C to the Bengal Delta sediments. This study has been carried out to investigate the role of such DOC in enriching the groundwater with As in the Bengal Delta. Data clearly show that due to the effect of DOC, As is mobilized from the upper 2.6m of the sediment profile, and is fixed between 2.6 and 6.1m, while the lower part (6.1–9m) largely remains unaffected. The reducing conditions mainly developed due to the decay of the percolating DOC seem to help the mobilization and transportation of As and other redox sensitive elements (Fe, Mn), as well as elements (Cu, Zn) attached to oxy-hydroxides of those redox-sensitive elements. Experiments also indicate that if the DOC production at the surface continues for a longer period of time, the zone of As fixation (2.6–6.1m) may get shifted further downwards and ultimately intercept the water table resulting in As enrichment of groundwater.
The response of shallow-water sequences to oceanic anoxic event 2 and mid-Cenomanian events 1a an... more The response of shallow-water sequences to oceanic anoxic event 2 and mid-Cenomanian events 1a and 1b was investigated along the west African margin of Morocco north of Agadir (Azazoul) and correlated with the deep-water sequence of the Tarfaya Basin (Mohammed Beach) based on biostratigraphy, mineralogy, phosphorus and stable isotopes. In the deeper Mohammed Beach section results show double peaks in δ13Corg for mid-Cenomanian events 1a and 1b (Rotalipora reicheli biozone, lower CC10a biozone), the characteristic oceanic anoxic event 2 δ13C excursion (Rotalipora cushmani extinction, top of CC10a biozone) and laminated (anoxic) black shale. In the shallow environment north of Agadir, a fluctuating sea-level associated with dysoxic, brackish and mesotrophic conditions prevailed during the middle to late Cenomanian, as indicated by oyster biostromes, nannofossils, planktonic and benthonic foraminiferal assemblages. Anoxic conditions characteristic of oceanic anoxic event 2 (for example, laminated black shales) did not reach into shallow-water environments until the maximum transgression of the early Turonian. Climate conditions decoupled along the western margin of Morocco between mid-Cenomanian event 1b and the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary, as also observed in eastern Tethys. North of Agadir alternating humid and dry seasonal conditions prevailed, whereas in the Tarfaya Basin the climate was dry and seasonal. This climatic decoupling can be attributed to variations in the Intertropical Convergence Zone and in the intensity of the north-east trade winds in tropical areas.
The response of shallow-water sequences to oceanic anoxic event 2 and mid-Cenomanian events 1a an... more The response of shallow-water sequences to oceanic anoxic event 2 and mid-Cenomanian events 1a and 1b was investigated along the west African margin of Morocco north of Agadir (Azazoul) and correlated with the deep-water sequence of the Tarfaya Basin (Mohammed Beach) based on biostratigraphy, mineralogy, phosphorus and stable isotopes. In the deeper Mohammed Beach section results show double peaks in d 13 C org for mid-Cenomanian events 1a and 1b (Rotalipora reicheli biozone, lower CC10a biozone), the characteristic oceanic anoxic event 2 d 13 C excursion (Rotalipora cushmani extinction, top of CC10a biozone) and laminated (anoxic) black shale. In the shallow environment north of Agadir, a fluctuating sea-level associated with dysoxic, brackish and mesotrophic conditions prevailed during the middle to late Cenomanian, as indicated by oyster biostromes, nannofossils, planktonic and benthonic foraminiferal assemblages. Anoxic conditions characteristic of oceanic anoxic event 2 (for example, laminated black shales) did not reach into shallow-water environments until the maximum transgression of the early Turonian. Climate conditions decoupled along the western margin of Morocco between mid-Cenomanian event 1b and the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary, as also observed in eastern Tethys. North of Agadir alternating humid and dry seasonal conditions prevailed, whereas in the Tarfaya Basin the climate was dry and seasonal. This climatic decoupling can be attributed to variations in the Intertropical Convergence Zone and in the intensity of the north-east trade winds in tropical areas.
Stable isotopes of the surface dwelling planktic foraminifera Hedbergella planispira, its abundan... more Stable isotopes of the surface dwelling planktic foraminifera Hedbergella planispira, its abundance variations, and mineralogical analysis of the Cenomanian–Turonian at Pueblo, CO, reveal cyclic variations in surface salinity due to changes in precipitation, freshwater influx, marine incursions and long-term sea-level fluctuations. Hedbergella planispira is a proxy for salinity variations, as indicated by 2–4x more negative d18O values in intervals of peak abundances as compared to intervals with reduced populations. Negative d18O values reflect periods of brackish surface waters caused by freshwater influx during wet humid periods, accompanied by increased clastic transport. More positive d18O values reflect more normal marine salinities as a result of arid periods and/or marine incursions and correlate with intervals of increased biogenic carbonate deposition. The magnitude of salinity variations during the low sea-level of the Hartland Shale is twice that during the sea-level transgression of the Bridge Creek Limestone. The rapid positive d13C shift that marks the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2) at Pueblo occurred over a period of about 100 ky (93.90–94.00 Ma), and coincided with the major sea level transgression that culminated in the deposition of the basal Bridge Creek Limestone. A positive d13C shift also occurred in the Rotalipora cushmani zone prior to OAE 2 and coincided with a sea level rise and enhanced preservation of terrestrial organic matter. The likely cause for OAE 2 is depletion of 12C in the water column as a result of high primary productivity, whereas an earlier R. cushmani zone event was primarily caused by increased input of terrigenous organic matter. Both d13C events are associated with enhanced organic matter preservation and anoxic or dysoxic bottom waters.
Profound biotic changes accompanied the late Cenomanian d13C excursion and OAE2 in planktic foram... more Profound biotic changes accompanied the late Cenomanian d13C excursion and OAE2 in planktic foraminifera in the Tarfaya Basin of Morocco. Planktic foraminifera experienced a severe turnover, though no mass extinction, beginning with the rapid d13C excursion and accelerating with the influx of oxic bottom waters during the first peak and trough of the excursion. Species extinctions equaled the number of evolving species, though only the disaster opportunists Guembelitria and Hedbergella thrived along with a low oxygen tolerant benthic assemblage. The succeeding d13C plateau and organic-rich black shale deposition marks the anoxic event and maximum biotic stress accompanied by a prolonged drop in diversity to just two species, the dominant (80–90%) low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix moremani and surface dweller Hedbergella planispira. After the anoxic event other species returned, but remained rare and sporadically present well into the lower Turonian, whereas Heterohelix moremani remained the single dominant species. The OAE2 biotic turnover suggests that the stress to calcareous plankton was related to changes in the watermass stratification, intensity of upwelling, nutrient flux and oxic levels in the water column driven by changes in climate and oceanic circulation. Results presented here demonstrate a 4-stage pattern of biotic response to the onset, duration, and recovery of OAE2 that is observed widely across the Tethys and its bordering epicontinental seas.
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Papers by Zsolt A Berner
mineralogical analysis of the Cenomanian–Turonian at Pueblo, CO, reveal cyclic variations in surface salinity due to changes in
precipitation, freshwater influx, marine incursions and long-term sea-level fluctuations. Hedbergella planispira is a proxy for salinity variations, as indicated by 2–4x more negative d18O values in intervals of peak abundances as compared to intervals with reduced populations. Negative d18O values reflect periods of brackish surface waters caused by freshwater influx during wet humid periods, accompanied by increased clastic transport. More positive d18O values reflect more normal marine salinities
as a result of arid periods and/or marine incursions and correlate with intervals of increased biogenic carbonate deposition. The magnitude of salinity variations during the low sea-level of the Hartland Shale is twice that during the sea-level transgression of the Bridge Creek Limestone. The rapid positive d13C shift that marks the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2) at Pueblo occurred over a period of about 100 ky (93.90–94.00 Ma), and coincided with the major sea level transgression that culminated in the deposition of the basal Bridge Creek Limestone. A positive d13C shift also occurred in the Rotalipora cushmani zone prior to OAE 2 and coincided with a sea level rise and enhanced preservation of terrestrial organic matter. The likely cause for OAE 2 is depletion of 12C in the water column as a result of high primary productivity, whereas an earlier R. cushmani zone event was primarily caused by increased input of terrigenous organic matter. Both d13C events are associated with enhanced
organic matter preservation and anoxic or dysoxic bottom waters.
diversity to just two species, the dominant (80–90%) low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix moremani and surface dweller Hedbergella planispira. After the anoxic event other species returned, but remained rare and sporadically present well into the lower Turonian, whereas Heterohelix moremani remained the single dominant species. The OAE2 biotic turnover suggests that the stress to calcareous plankton was related to changes in the watermass stratification, intensity of upwelling, nutrient flux and oxic levels in the water column driven by changes in climate and oceanic circulation. Results presented here
demonstrate a 4-stage pattern of biotic response to the onset, duration, and recovery of OAE2 that is observed widely across the Tethys and its bordering epicontinental seas.
mineralogical analysis of the Cenomanian–Turonian at Pueblo, CO, reveal cyclic variations in surface salinity due to changes in
precipitation, freshwater influx, marine incursions and long-term sea-level fluctuations. Hedbergella planispira is a proxy for salinity variations, as indicated by 2–4x more negative d18O values in intervals of peak abundances as compared to intervals with reduced populations. Negative d18O values reflect periods of brackish surface waters caused by freshwater influx during wet humid periods, accompanied by increased clastic transport. More positive d18O values reflect more normal marine salinities
as a result of arid periods and/or marine incursions and correlate with intervals of increased biogenic carbonate deposition. The magnitude of salinity variations during the low sea-level of the Hartland Shale is twice that during the sea-level transgression of the Bridge Creek Limestone. The rapid positive d13C shift that marks the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2) at Pueblo occurred over a period of about 100 ky (93.90–94.00 Ma), and coincided with the major sea level transgression that culminated in the deposition of the basal Bridge Creek Limestone. A positive d13C shift also occurred in the Rotalipora cushmani zone prior to OAE 2 and coincided with a sea level rise and enhanced preservation of terrestrial organic matter. The likely cause for OAE 2 is depletion of 12C in the water column as a result of high primary productivity, whereas an earlier R. cushmani zone event was primarily caused by increased input of terrigenous organic matter. Both d13C events are associated with enhanced
organic matter preservation and anoxic or dysoxic bottom waters.
diversity to just two species, the dominant (80–90%) low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix moremani and surface dweller Hedbergella planispira. After the anoxic event other species returned, but remained rare and sporadically present well into the lower Turonian, whereas Heterohelix moremani remained the single dominant species. The OAE2 biotic turnover suggests that the stress to calcareous plankton was related to changes in the watermass stratification, intensity of upwelling, nutrient flux and oxic levels in the water column driven by changes in climate and oceanic circulation. Results presented here
demonstrate a 4-stage pattern of biotic response to the onset, duration, and recovery of OAE2 that is observed widely across the Tethys and its bordering epicontinental seas.