Pedogenic carbonate isotopes as evidence for extreme climatic events preceding the Triassic-Jurassic boundary: Implications for the biotic crisis?

Research Article| November 01, 2008 Pedogenic carbonate isotopes as evidence for extreme climatic events preceding the Triassic-Jurassic boundary: Implications for the biotic crisis? David M. Cleveland; David M. Cleveland 1Department of Geology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, USA †Present address: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, P.O. Box 2189, Houston, Texas 77252, USA; david.m.cleveland@exxonmobil.com. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lee C. Nordt; Lee C. Nordt 1Department of Geology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Steve I. Dworkin; Steve I. Dworkin 1Department of Geology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stacy C. Atchley Stacy C. Atchley 1Department of Geology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2008) 120 (11-12): 1408–1415. https://doi.org/10.1130/B26332.1 Article history received: 21 Sep 2007 rev-recd: 05 Feb 2008 accepted: 13 Feb 2008 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation David M. Cleveland, Lee C. Nordt, Steve I. Dworkin, Stacy C. Atchley; Pedogenic carbonate isotopes as evidence for extreme climatic events preceding the Triassic-Jurassic boundary: Implications for the biotic crisis?. GSA Bulletin 2008;; 120 (11-12): 1408–1415. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B26332.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The Triassic-Jurassic boundary is associated with widespread marine and terrestrial extinctions, but there is disagreement regarding the existence and extent of climatic changes that may have driven the biotic crisis. Here, we apply quantitative isotopic climate proxies in order to construct two age-equivalent, relatively continuous temperature and pCO2 records that span the eight million years preceding the Triassic-Jurassic boundary and that supersede previous terrestrial records in temporal resolution. The δ18O data suggest that mean annual temperatures (MAT) increased by 7–9 °C from the late Norian to the Rhaetian in association with the peak increases in pCO2 levels. The δ13C data suggest relatively low late Norian pCO2 levels (<500–1000 ppmV), increased Rhaetian levels (>1500 ppmV), and at least two periods of extreme pCO2 levels (~3000 ppmV) preceding the Triassic-Jurassic boundary. These estimates are consistent with a recent Late Triassic climate model that suggests the effects of increased pCO2 levels on Pangea would cause severe climatic consequences, including a global MAT increase of 6 °C (>10 °C in some regions). While it is possible that periods of increased aridity could have resulted in erroneously high estimates of both temperature and pCO2 levels, it is likely that climate was still fluctuating during the end of the Triassic. Although our data precede the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, many studies conclude that the mass extinction took place over a more prolonged period beginning in the Late Triassic. Thus, climate may have been a significant driving mechanism of the Late Triassic extinctions. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.