Southern Hemisphere Early Cretaceous (Valanginian-Early Barremian) Carbon and Oxygen isotope curves from the Neuquén Basin, Argentina

AGUIRRE-URRETA, M. B., PRICE, G. D., RUFFELL, A. H., LAZO, D. G., KALIN, R. M., OGLE, N. AND RAWSON, P. F.

CRETACEOUS RESEARCH (PRINT)

Elsevier

Lugar: Cornwall; Año: 2008 vol. 29 p. 87 - 99

0195-6671

The first carbon and oxygen isotope curves for the Valanginian to Early Barremian (Early Cretaceous) interval obtained from outcrop in the southern hemisphere are presented. They were obtained from well-dated (by ammonites) sediments in the Neuquén Basin, Argentina. Measurements were obtained by the innovative method of analysing fossil oyster laminae. The occurrence of the well-known mid Valanginian carbon-positive 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 carbon-positive event in the Neuquén Basin is possibly associated with organic-rich sediments. A similar relationship is seen in the European Alps and in ocean cores in some areas of the world.