Structure of the carbon isotope excursion in a high-resolution lacustrine Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum record from central China

Hertfordshire Puddingstone: relationship to the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and a perspective on human-induced climate change

“…Evidence from cores taken onshore Spitsbergen suggests that we are pulling the carbon trigger ten times more rapidly than it was pulled at 55 Ma (Cui et al, 2011). Recent work in China supports that conclusion (Chen et al, 2014). We are in haste repeating an ancient experiment, the results of which we already know to be prospectively hazardous to us.…”

Increased precipitation and weathering across the Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum in central China

“…Our previous study shows extensive changes in carbonate minerals across the PETM [ Chen et al ., ]. There exists abundant dolomite (28–100%) with a variable content of calcite in primary carbonates before the CIE. From the CIE onset, however, dolomite disappears and calcite is the only carbonate precipitate mineral for the remainder of the section (Figure ).…”

“…At the Beigou section, the XRD analyses indicate that the dominant carbonate minerals in the samples are dolomite and calcite [ Chen et al ., ]. Petrographic and mineralogical features have been provided as evidence for an authigenic origin of both carbonate minerals [ Chen et al ., ].…”

“…(c) Stable carbon isotope ratios of calcite, total organic carbon (TOC), and black carbon (BC) from Chen et al . []. The red star shows the study site.…”

“…In this study, we focus on the 50 m‐thick lacustrine deposits in the lower part of the Yuhuangding Formation at the Beigou section (Beigou: 32°43.9′N, 111°27.6′E) (Figure a), which is close to the depocenter of the Basin. The Paleocene/Eocene transition at this section has previously been identified from biostratigraphy [ Ma and Cheng , ; Ting et al ., ], and the PETM interval has been defined by a characteristic negative carbon isotope excursion recorded in the δ 13 C values of both inorganic and organic substrates (Figure c) [ Zhu et al ., ; Chen et al ., ]. The complete PETM spans ∼20 m stratigraphic interval from 20 to 40 m (Figure c).…”