Stratigraphic correlations using trace elements in apatite from Late Ordovician (Sandbian-Katian) K-bentonites of eastern North America

RNames, a stratigraphical database designed for the statistical analysis of fossil occurrences – the Ordovician diversification as a case study

“…The relative position of these beds to the stage boundary is not fully resolved and as a consequence during the last several years the boundary interval has been intensively discussed (e.g., Young et al, 2005;Ainsaar et al, 2010;Bergström et al, 2010;Bergström et al, 2011;Chen et al, 2013;Pouille et al, 2013;Carlucci et al, 2015;Sell et al, 2015;Taylor and Loch, 2015;Bergström et al, 2016;Kröger et al, 2016;Quinton et al, 2016).…”

Carbon cycling across the southern margin of Laurentia during the Late Ordovician

“…These K-bentonites have been recognized throughout eastern North America using traditional stratigraphic correlation, biostratigraphy, radiometric dating, and chemical fingerprinting (e.g. Kunk and Sutter, 1984;Kolata et al, 1986;Haynes, 1994;Bergström et al, 2004;Sell et al, 2013Sell et al, , 2015. Because they are widespread and represent geologically instantaneous events, the Deicke and Millbrig K-bentonites, when correctly identified, can be used effectively as isochronous markers to constrain chemostratigraphic correlations.…”

“…Young et al, 2005Young et al, , 2008Bergström et al, 2010). Recent correlations based on apatite phenocryst composition in Kbentonites, however, suggest alternate correlations where the GICE begins stratigraphically below the Millbrig K-bentonite in some sections (Sell and Samson, 2011;Sell et al, 2013Sell et al, , 2015. Further complicating the identification of the appropriate stratigraphic interval of the GICE is that the base of the Pl.…”

“…tenuis appears not to work well for high-resolution correlation in the shallow water deposits of the Laurentian epeiric sea has created difficulties in conodont biostratigraphic correlation of rocks containing the GICE (see Sell et al, 2015). Additionally, other δ 13 C excursions exist, particularly the stratigraphically lower Spechts Ferry positive δ 13 C excursion, that might easily be confused with the GICE (Sell et al, 2015). These complicating factors highlight the importance of well-defined and correctly identified chronostratigraphic constraints when correlating δ 13 C trends among sections.…”

“…Patzkowsky et al, 1997;Ludvigson et al, 2000Ludvigson et al, , 2004Saltzman and Young, 2005;Young et al, 2008;Bergström et al, 2010;Buggisch et al, 2010). While some of this variability may result from diagenetic overprints, differences in sampling protocol for δ 13 C carb analysis (Swart and Eberli, 2005;Metzger and Fike, 2013), and/or incorrect chronostratigraphy (Sell et al, 2015), the observed variability might also reflect local to regional influences on carbon cycling.…”