Stable isotope variations in the neoproterozoic beck spring dolomite and mesoproterozoic mescal limestone paleokarst: Implications for life on land in the Precambrian

R. Kenny; L. P. Knauth

doi:10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<0650:SIVITN>2.0.CO;2

Stable isotope variations in the neoproterozoic beck spring dolomite and mesoproterozoic mescal limestone paleokarst: Implications for life on land in the Precambrian

R. Kenny, L. P. Knauth

Earth and Space Exploration, School of (SESE)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Proterozoic karst events lowered δ¹³C values-by as much as 11‰ for the 800 Ma Beck Spring Dolomite, California, and as much as 8.5‰ for the 1.1 Ga Mescal Limestone, central Arizona, relative to the originally deposited carbonate. The ¹³C changes are attributed to input of ¹³C-depleted organic CO₂ derived from photosynthetic organisms that colonized the ancient land surface. The large isotopic shift and its presence at two separate localities suggest that Proterozoic karst surfaces were colonized by significant photosynthetic communities with phytomasses possibly approaching those of today.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	650-658
Number of pages	9
Journal	Bulletin of the Geological Society of America
Volume	113
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<0650:SIVITN>2.0.CO;2
State	Published - May 1 2001

Keywords

Carbonate
Mesoproterozoic
Neoproterozoic
Paleokarst
Stable isotopes
Terrestrial environment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geology

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10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<0650:SIVITN>2.0.CO;2

Cite this

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title = "Stable isotope variations in the neoproterozoic beck spring dolomite and mesoproterozoic mescal limestone paleokarst: Implications for life on land in the Precambrian",

abstract = "Proterozoic karst events lowered δ13C values-by as much as 11‰ for the 800 Ma Beck Spring Dolomite, California, and as much as 8.5‰ for the 1.1 Ga Mescal Limestone, central Arizona, relative to the originally deposited carbonate. The 13C changes are attributed to input of 13C-depleted organic CO2 derived from photosynthetic organisms that colonized the ancient land surface. The large isotopic shift and its presence at two separate localities suggest that Proterozoic karst surfaces were colonized by significant photosynthetic communities with phytomasses possibly approaching those of today.",

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AU - Knauth, L. P.

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AB - Proterozoic karst events lowered δ13C values-by as much as 11‰ for the 800 Ma Beck Spring Dolomite, California, and as much as 8.5‰ for the 1.1 Ga Mescal Limestone, central Arizona, relative to the originally deposited carbonate. The 13C changes are attributed to input of 13C-depleted organic CO2 derived from photosynthetic organisms that colonized the ancient land surface. The large isotopic shift and its presence at two separate localities suggest that Proterozoic karst surfaces were colonized by significant photosynthetic communities with phytomasses possibly approaching those of today.

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KW - Mesoproterozoic

KW - Neoproterozoic

KW - Paleokarst

KW - Stable isotopes

KW - Terrestrial environment

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Stable isotope variations in the neoproterozoic beck spring dolomite and mesoproterozoic mescal limestone paleokarst: Implications for life on land in the Precambrian

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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