Work

Carbon isotopic evidence for organic matter oxidation in soils of the Old Red Sandstone (Silurian to Devonian, South Wales, UK)

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Petrographic and calcrete carbon isotope data from seasonally waterlogged Upper Silurian (Přídolí) to Lower Devonian (Pragian) palaeo-Vertisols of the Old Red Sandstone, South Wales, UK, are presented. The δ 13 C values mostly range from −9 to −12‰ (VPDB), suggesting that the soils were inhabited by abundant vegetation that when oxidized (perhaps with microbial assistance) resulted in CO 2 -rich soils. Such soils would favour calcrete precipitation through equilibration of soil zone CO 2 with the relatively lower atmospheric p CO 2 . However, reliably estimating palaeoatmospheric p CO 2 using these carbon isotope data is a challenge. Supplementary material: Detailed information on stable isotope measurement methods, descriptions of the samples, and carbon and oxygen isotope data are available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18754 .

Source: Journal of the Geological Society

DOI: 10.1144/jgs2013-136

Authors: A. T. Brasier, J. L. Morris, R. D. Hillier

Institutions: University of Aberdeen, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cardiff University, University of Sheffield, National Museum Wales

Language: English

Topic: Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: green

Funders: Newcastle University, Cardiff University, British Geological Survey, Division of Ocean Sciences