Mid-Ludfordian coeval carbon isotope, natural gamma ray and magnetic susceptibility excursions in the Mielnik IG-1 borehole (Eastern Poland)鈥擠ustiness as a possible link between global climate and the Silurian carbon isotope record
摘要
The graptolite-bearing upper Silurian succession of the Mielnik IG-1 borehole (eastern Poland) represents a periplatform setting on a neritic carbonate platform located on the palaeocontinent of Baltica and records widely recorded positive mid-Ludfordian Carbon Isotope Excursion (CIE). The initial increase of 未13C values occurs in the uppermost part of the Neocucullograptus kozlowskii Zone whereas pronounced increase and maximal values (+ 6.74鈥? are noted in the N. kozlowskii-Pseudomonoclimacis latilobus interzone (Pristiograptus dubius bloom interval). The thickness-time relation in the section indicates that the main, initial shift in carbon isotope ratio (of 2.7鈥? occurred over a very short time, estimated to be around 4000 years, and is coeval with a rapid initiation of deposition of rock-forming, silt-sized detrital dolomite and quartz. The CIE decline is interpreted as steeper than in inner shelf sections, and is coincident with a flooding event in the Ps. latilobus-Slovinograptus balticus Zone; whereas the end of the excursion is coeval with the next flooding surface marked by the Ps. Latilobus-Uncinatograptus acer graptolite assemblage. Combined SGR (Spectral Gamma Ray), facies, and faunal records during the CIE suggest prolonged sea-level lowstand conditions. The abundant detrital material (鈥榙olomite siltstone facies鈥?, occurring exclusively in the CIE interval, is noted in microfacies as well as in the geophysics record鈥攁s pronounced negative excursions in total natural gamma ray and magnetic susceptibility, both resulting from dilution by diamagnetic and low-radioactivity minerals. The perfectly sorted, vertically equally-sized silt material contains unique, constant and low diversified grain assemblage (euhedral dolomite, quartz, minute ooids)鈥攕uggesting its provenance exclusively from the shallower and/or emerged parts of the carbonate platform interior. The spot findings of graptolites and nautiloids along with delicate parallel lamination of sediments indicates relatively deep environment, with absence of traction processes. These features, along with the lack of dolomite detritus in accompanying redeposited carbonates, suggest its derivation by wind. With regard to the earlier noted presence of aeolian detritus in the middle Ludfordian, we suggest dustiness as a plausible driving force of the CIE. In the hypothesis proposed, bioavailable Fe-bearing dust inflow in concert with antiestuarine circulation on shelfs, caused nutrient (N:P ratio) disturbances, resulting in methanogenesis in surface layer of the seas. The surface layer methanogenesis should resulting in bathymetric gradient of isotope fractionation, what is consistent with the CIE record. Coincidence of sea-level lowstand, low-latitude aridity, and gustiness of the global climate, are in accordance with the hypothetical short-lived glaciation in mid-Ludfordian time.