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Sarkar et al. 2003
Sarkar, A., Sarangi, S., Bhattacharya, S.K. and Ray, A.K. (2003). Carbon isotopes across the Eocene-Oligocene boundary sequence of Kutch, western India: Implications to oceanic productivity and pCO2 change. Geophysical Research Letters 30: doi: 10.1029/2002GL016541. issn: 0094-8276.

Analyses of foraminiferal δ18O (δ18Ocarb), δ13C (δ13Ccarb) and bulk organic matter (δ13Corg) across a tropical Eocene/Oligocene boundary (EOB) section from Kutch basin, western India show that the ocean cooling (at least ~3¿C) is coincident with a rapid enrichment (~3?) in δ13Corg but depletion (~1.5?) in δ13Ccarb. The decrease in pCO2 in ocean-atmosphere system across the boundary, possibly resulting from enhanced silicate weathering in rising Himalayas and accompanied organic carbon burial in ocean, caused the cooling and δ13Corg enrichment. The end-Eocene climatic stress decreased the oceanic productivity (and δ13Ccarb) eventually causing extinction of larger benthic foraminiferal community. The data suggest a critical role of tropical ocean and direct forcing of CO2 on global climate change at least for this crucial Cenozoic transition.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Geochemistry, Isotopic composition/chemistry, Geochemistry, Geochemical cycles, Oceanography, General, Paleoceanography, Oceanography, Biological and Chemical, Carbon cycling, Oceanography, Biological and Chemical, Biogeochemical cycles
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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