Belemnite-based strontium, carbon and oxygen isotope stratigraphy of the type area of the Maastrichtian Stage

Abstract

Belemnitellid cephalopods from the Maastrichtian stratotype area (southeast Netherlands) are shown to be comparatively well preserved. Although partial diagenetic alteration has been observed, micromilling techniques have permitted the extraction of pristine belemnite calcite, suitable for the reconstruction of strontium (Sr), oxygen (O) and carbon (C) isotope variation of Maastrichtian seawater. A distinct Sr isotope pattern in the Maastricht record can be matched stratigraphically with records from Hemmoor (northern Germany), El Kef (Tunisia) and ODP site 690 (Maud Rise, Antarctica), leading to a new chemostratigraphical age model for the Maastrichtian stratotype section. Our data improve currently applied strontium isotope stratigraphical reference curves by revealing an Sr isotope inflection pattern near the lower/upper Maastrichtian boundary that is a potentially diagnostic feature for intra-Maastrichtian stratigraphical correlation between distant sections. Belemnites further show significant stratigraphical oxygen isotope variation through the Maastrichtian. We interpret this variation to have resulted from palaeoceanographic reorganisations in the Atlantic Ocean during this time interval.

A bioclast-based astronomical timescale for the Maastrichtian in the type area (southeast Netherlands, northeast Belgium) and stratigraphic implications: the legacy of P.J. Felder

“…Stratigraphically older deposits of the Vijlen Member have not yet been studied; thus, the exact FAD of this species remains a matter of debate. Surlyk et al 2013 Vonhof et al, 2011). The absolute numerical ages are deduced from the bioclast-based 400 and 100 kyr eccentricity cycles.…”

On diving and diet: resource partitioning in type-Maastrichtian mosasaurs

“…Furthermore, we compare these isotope data to an extensive carbon isotope data set of shark teeth enamel (Van Baal et al, submitted), as well as various carbonate fossils from the same lithological sequence (Vonhof et al, 2011). Furthermore, we compare these isotope data to an extensive carbon isotope data set of shark teeth enamel (Van Baal et al, submitted), as well as various carbonate fossils from the same lithological sequence (Vonhof et al, 2011).…”

Type‐Maastrichtian gastropod faunas show rapid ecosystem recovery following the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary catastrophe

“…; Gras & Geluk ; Vonhof et al . ; Keutgen ). Indeed, the chemo‐ and biostratigraphy of the upper Maastricht Formation suggest that the uppermost Maastrichtian is still relatively complete, with unit IVf‐6 representing the last tens of thousands of years of the Cretaceous Period (Smit & Brinkhuis ; Vonhof & Smit ; Keutgen ).…”