Diagenetic and Biological Overprints in Geochemical Signatures of the Gigantoproductus Tertiary Layer (Brachiopoda): Assessing the Paleoclimatic Interpretation

[EN] Variations in the geochemical signatures of fossil brachiopod shells may be due to diagenesis and/or biological processes (i.e., ‘vital effects’). It is critical to characterise them in order to identify reliable shell areas suitable for paleoclimate studies. This investigation contributes to a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Mateos-Carralafuente, José R., Coronado Vila, Ismael, Cruz Martínez, Juncal Altagracia, Cózar, Pedro, Fernández Martínez, Esperanza, Rodríguez, Sergio
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad de León
Repositorio:BULERIA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de León
OAI Identifier:oai:buleria.unileon.es:10612/21094
Acceso en línea:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/3/714
https://hdl.handle.net/10612/21094
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Geología
Paleontología
LPIA
Microstructure
Trace-element partitioning
Stable-isotope fractionation
Serpukhovian
Spain
2416 Paleontología
2506 Geología
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] Variations in the geochemical signatures of fossil brachiopod shells may be due to diagenesis and/or biological processes (i.e., ‘vital effects’). It is critical to characterise them in order to identify reliable shell areas suitable for paleoclimate studies. This investigation contributes to an in-depth understanding of geochemical variations in Gigantoproductus sp. shells (SW Spain, Serpukhovian age), throwing light onto the Late Paleozoic Ice Age interpretation. Microstructural, crystallographic, cathodoluminescence and geochemical (minor and trace elements, δ18O, δ13C, and strontium isotopes) characterisations have been performed on the tertiary layer of the ventral valve, to assess the preservation state. Poorly preserved areas exhibit microstructural and geochemical changes such as recrystallisation, fracturing and higher Mn and Fe enrichment. Moreover, these areas have a higher dispersion of 86Sr, 87Sr, δ18O and δ13C than well-preserved areas. Three structural regions have been identified in well-preserved areas of the ventral valve by differences in valve curvature and thickness, such as the umbonal and thick and thin regions. These regions have different proportions of Mg, S, Na, δ18O, and δ13C, which are interpreted as ‘vital effects’ and probably related to growth-rate differences during shell growth. The Gigantoproductus tertiary layer seems the most suitable for paleoclimate studies, because it retains the original microstructure and geochemical composition.