Orbital tuning of a lower Cretaceous composite record (Maiolica Formation, central Italy)

Abstract

[1] A high-resolution pelagic bulk carbonate stable isotope record from a central Tethyan lower Cretaceous composite section is presented. Three well-exposed sedimentary sequences (Chiaserna Monte Acuto, Bosso, and Gorgo a Cerbara sections, central Italy) cropping out throughout the Maiolica Formation were correlated by a detailed magnetostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, and calcareous plankton biostratigraphy in order to reconstruct a continuous composite record from the middle Berriasian to the lower Aptian. The integrated stratigraphy of the three sequences provided an accurate time framework for the new high-resolution C isotope curve which is presented in this study. The composite d 13 C signal, recorded in the depth domain, was analyzed by combined Lomb-Scargle periodogram and weighted wavelet Z transform (WWZ) -weighted wavelet amplitudes (WWA) Foster wavelet spectral methodologies, both appropriate for unevenly sampled curves. These tools allowed us to unravel the main frequencies modulating the record and their hypothetical shift in depth, respectively. The longterm, $400,000 and $2,400,000 years, eccentricity cycles were consistently recorded throughout all the composite record. Once band-pass filtered in these two periodicity bands and compared to the lithologic pattern cycles identified throughout the composite sequence, the d 13 C signal was used as a valuable proxy record for a reliable construction of an orbital tuning of the early Cretaceous. An estimated age for all the different stratigraphic events recognized throughout the composite record was reported. In particular, the reestimated ages of the paleomagnetic chrons, documented in the upper part of the record, show differences with those reported by Gradstein et al. (2004) up to $2 m.y. The Valanginian carbon shift, present in the middle part of the composite sequence was estimated to be $2.3 m.y. long. The good agreement between the estimated age of the base of this positive carbon isotope excursion ($136.34 m.y.) and the predominant volcanic phase associated to the Paranà-Etendeka large igneous province intrusion confirmed a possible cause-effect link between the two events.

Carbon cycle history through the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary: A new global δ13C stack

“…For example, deposition of significant petroleum source rocks of Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous age, known from Arabian-Iranian region, West Siberia, the North Sea, Greenland Sea (Klemme and Ulmishek, 1991) and Mexico (the Casita Fm, Adatte et al, 1996) are evidently not expressed within the δ 13 C record (Weissert and Mohr, 1996;Price and Rogov, 2009;Föllmi, 2012). Paradoxically, evidence for widespread organic matter deposition in the marine environment during the Valanginian is rather scarce, yet the Valanginian does show a pronounced positive carbon isotope excursion (e.g., Lini et al, 1992;Channell et al, 1993;Bersezio et al, 2002;Erba et al, 2004;Duchamp-Alphonse et al, 2007;Sprovieri et al, 2006;Littler et al, 2011, Figs. 6, 7).…”

The Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and its 405-kyr eccentricity cycle phase: a new constraint on radiometric dating and astrochronology

“…In this case climatic variations influence the transfer of the detrital argillaceous fraction, coming from the platform top or the adjacent continental areas, and the carbonate sedimentation, which is constituted by benthic, pelagic, or winnowed platform top material. It was already shown that the lithological variations, induced by the variations of the Earth's orbit parameters in the MILANKOVITCH band (periods from 20 to 400 kyr; BERGER, 1978aBERGER, , 1978bLASKAR, 1988;BERGER & LOUTRE, 1991;LASKAR et al, 2004LASKAR et al, , 2011 were appropriate to establish a very precise time scale (e.g., HERBERT & D'HONDT, 1990;ten KATE & SPRENGER, 1993;HILGEN et al, 1993HILGEN et al, , 1999HOU-SE & GALE, 1995;HERBERT, 1999;SHACKLETON et al, 1999;CLEMENS, 1999;HINNOV, 2000HINNOV, , 2005PÄLIKE et al, 2001;GALEOTTI et al, 2003;HENNE-BERT & DUPUIS, 2003;DINARÈS-TURELL et al, 2003;LOURENS et al, 2005aLOURENS et al, , 2005bFIET et al, 2006;PÄLIKE et al, 2006;SPROVIERI et al, 2006;HINNOV & OGG, 2007;WESTERHOLD et al, 2007WESTERHOLD et al, , 2008HENNEBERT et al, 2009;HENNEBERT, 2012).…”

Hunting for the 405-kyr eccentricity cycle phase at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in the Aïn Settara section (Kalaat Senan, central Tunisia)

“…Lithological variations, induced by the variations of the parameters of Earth's orbit in the MILANKOVITCH band (periods from about 20 to 400 kyr) have already been used to establish very precise time scales (GILBERT, 1895;HERBERT & D'HONDT, 1990;HILGEN et al, 1993HILGEN et al, , 1999HOUSE & GALE, 1995;CLEMENS, 1999;HERBERT, 1999;SHACKELTON et al, 1999;HINNOV, 2000HINNOV, , 2004PÄLIKE et al, 2001PÄLIKE et al, , 2006DINARÈS-TURELL et al, 2003;GALEOTTI et al, 2003;HENNEBERT & T DUPUIS, 2003;LOURENS et al, 2004LOURENS et al, , 2005FIET et al, 2006;SPROVIERI et al, 2006;HINNOV & OGG, 2007;WESTERHOLD et al, 2007WESTERHOLD et al, , 2008HEN-NEBERTT et al, 2009;HUSSON et al, 2011).…”