Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4747899 | Cretaceous Research | 2008 | 13 Pages |
The first carbon and oxygen isotope curves for the Valanginian to Early Barremian (Early Cretaceous) interval obtained from outcrops in the Southern Hemisphere are presented. They were obtained from well-dated (by ammonites) sediments from the Neuquén Basin, Argentina. Measurements were acquired by the innovative method of analysing fossil oyster laminae. The occurrence of the well-established mid-Valanginian positive carbon isotope excursion is documented, while less well-marked positive events may also correlate with peaks identified in the well-known successions of SE France. The mid-Valanginian positive carbon isotope event in the Neuquén Basin is possibly associated with organic-rich sediments. A similar relationship is seen in the European Alps and in oceanic cores in some areas of the world.