Paleoenvironmental Changes at ODP Site 702 (South Atlantic): Anatomy of the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum

Rivero-Cuesta, L. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Westerhold, T. ; Agnini, C. ; Dallanave, E. ; Wilkens, R.H. ; Alegret, L. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) was an unusual global warming event that interrupted the long-term Eocene cooling trend ca. 40 Ma. Here we present new high-resolution bulk and benthic isotope records from South Atlantic ODP Site 702 to characterize the MECO at a high latitude setting. The MECO event, including early and peak warming as well as recovery to background levels, had an estimated ~300 Kyr duration (~40.51 to ~40.21 Ma). Cross-plots (delta O-18 vs. delta C-13) suggest that the mechanisms driving coupled changes in O and C isotope values across the MECO were weaker or absent before the event. The paleoecological response has been evaluated by quantitative analysis of calcareous nannofossils and benthic foraminifera assemblages. We document a shift in the biogeographical distribution of warm and temperate calcareous nannoplankton taxa, which migrated toward higher latitudes due to increased temperatures during the MECO. Conversely, changes in the organic matter flux to the seafloor appear to have controlled benthic foraminifera dynamics at Site 702. Benthic phytodetritus exploiting taxa increased in abundance coinciding with a positive delta C-13 excursion, ~150 Kyr before the start of the delta O-18 negative excursion that marks the start of MECO warming. Our data suggest that paleoecological disturbance in the deep sea predates MECO delta O-18 excursion and that it was driven by changes in the type and/or amount of organic matter reaching the seafloor rather than by increased temperature.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1029/2019PA003806

Año: 2019

Publicado en: Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 34, 12 (2019), 2047-2066
ISSN: 2572-4525

Factor impacto JCR: 2.888 (2019)

Categ. JCR: OCEANOGRAPHY rank: 16 / 66 = 0.242 (2019) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: PALEONTOLOGY rank: 3 / 55 = 0.055 (2019) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 62 / 198 = 0.313 (2019) - Q2 - T1

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.927 - Atmospheric Science (Q1) - Paleontology (Q1) - Oceanography (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E33-17R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/CGL2017-84693-R

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Paleontología (Dpto. Ciencias de la Tierra)