New isotope (δ18O, δ13C) and elemental (Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca) data of well-preserved belemnite rostra, ammonite and gastropod shells from the Middle Oxfordian–Lower Kimmerdgian (Densiplicatum–Kitchini zones) ...of the Russian Platform are presented. This record is supplemented with published data from the Upper Callovian–Lower Kimmeridgian interval (Athleta–Kitchini zones). Significant differences in average temperatures calculated from δ18O values of particular fossil groups (5–15°C) show the thermal gradient and the presence of cold bottom waters in the Middle Russian Sea during the Late Callovian–Middle Oxfordian. An Upper Oxfordian–lowermost Kimmeridgian decrease in δ18O values and an increase in Sr/Ca ratios of cylindroteuthid belemnite rostra likely reflect a warming of the bottom waters of ca. 3.5°C. The gradual Late Oxfordian–earliest Kimmeridgian warming is followed by an abrupt temperature rise of 3–6°C that occurred at the transition of the Early Kimmeridgian Bauhini and Kitchini chrons.
The occurrences of cold bottom waters and of (Sub)Mediterranean ammonites and belemnites in the Middle Russian Sea at the Middle–Late Jurassic transition are regarded as a result of the opening of seaways during a sea level highstand. The bottom waters are considered to have been formed in the cool Boreal Sea. The subsequent retreats of the cold bottom waters and of the (Sub)Mediterranean cephalopods from the Middle Russian Sea in the Late Oxfordian are explained by the restriction of water circulation during a sea-level fall. The Early Kimmeridgian rise of bottom temperatures of the sea is linked to a global climate warming. The data presented do not support a major cooling of the Arctic and a consequent glaciation in this region at the Middle–Late Jurassic transition. Since occurrences of cold water masses are diachronous in different European basins, the observed variations in sea water temperatures are interpreted as a result of changes in marine currents and water circulation.
δ13C values of belemnite rostra from the Russian Platform are scattered but show the long-term Upper Callovian–Middle Oxfordian positive excursion consistent with the previously published isotope records of the Boreal Realm and terrestrial organic matter.
•Isotope and elemental analyses of fossils from the Russian Platform•Significant thermal gradient (5–15°C) in the water column•Presence of cold bottom waters during the Late Callovian–Middle Oxfordian•Gradual rise of bottom water temperatures starting from the Late Oxfordian•European basins affected by changes in water circulation
In this study, we revisit the stratigraphic age and discuss sedimentary characteristics of the lower Middle Jurassic turbidite deposits (“black flysch”) of the Szlachtowa Formation, as well as the ...under- and overlying members of the Sprzycne Creek section situated in the central sector of the Pieniny Klippen Belt (Poland). We show that the succession captures the lower Middle Jurassic marine sediments of the pre-Late Albian Magura Basin, located to the north of an ancient submarine swell (Czorsztyn Ridge). The turbidite deposits of the Szlachtowa Formation and marly shales of the Opaleniec Formation yield dinoflagellate cysts indicative of the latest Aalenian or learliest Bajocian to Early Bathonian. The character of these deposits, and their location below the overthrusted Subpieniny Nappe show that this succession does not belong to the successions of the Oravicum domain, located on the southern side of the Czorsztyn Ridge. The Szlachtowa Formation is underlain by the Skrzypny Formation, which is reported for the first time outside the Oravicum domain. It suggests that the pre-Late Albian Magura Basin came into existence not earlier than during the latest Aalenian, following the rising of the Czorsztyn Ridge. The marly shales assigned here to the Opaleniec Formation of Late Bajocian-Bathonian age and younger marly deposits of Cretaceous age were distinguished in the past as the so-called “Sprzycne beds” of Cretaceous age. However, the combination of these two rock units into a single lithostratigraphic unit is unsuitable because they represent two separated stratigraphical intervals and their contact is tectonic.
Tectonic inversion and erosion conceal basin geological history. As simple stratigraphic reconstructions can be inaccurate, thermal modelling techniques are often applied. In this paper, we show the ...advantages of a multi-proxy approach for exhumation studies, which explores full range of all possible solutions. The part of the Mesozoic Central European Basin that was inverted into the Mid-Polish Anticlinorium in the Late Cretaceous is chosen as a case study. The analysis consists of three steps: First, a wide range of possible geological scenarios is constructed, accounting for two alternatives of the overburden sequence, southern and northern, that result from the impact of the Holy Cross Fault on Mesozoic deposition. The second stage comprises apatite fission track and vitrinite reflectance analyses carried out on a ~1500 m long vertical profile, inverse modelling of these data to obtain thermal histories, and 1D thermal modelling of burial-erosion using the PetroMod software. In the third step, results of modelling exercises are combined with probabilities of the overburden variants to define an ensemble of the most likely geological scenarios. By applying this workflow we conclude that exhumation of the Mid-Polish Anticlinorium began in the latest Turonian–early Campanian and that ~1.7–2.3 km of uppermost Triassic–Cretaceous rocks were removed. The heat flow was similar or slightly higher than the present-day value and during the Jurassic the study area was located on the northern side of the Holy Cross Fault, where deposition was faster. We also investigate the impact of elevated Late Palaeozoic heat flow on our samples and find that it was overprinted by high Late Cretaceous temperatures. All this is achieved by presenting the results as an ensemble of the most likely solutions within the wide modelling space.
•A multi-proxy analysis to determine eroded overburden caused by basin inversion.•The modelling space is defined by heat flow, erosion onset and overburden thickness.•Results are presented as an ensemble of the most likely geological scenarios.•The data record Late Cretaceous exhumation of the Mid-Polish Anticlinorium.•Erosion of 1.7–2.3 km of rocks started in the latest Turonian-early Campanian.
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