Carbon isotope excursions in Boreal Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary sections and their correlation potential

The Jurassic-Cretaceous (J-K) boundary is one of the most problematic points on the geological timescale. The boundary is not defined by a Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) because of the absence of well-defined (by significant faunal turnover), widely correlatable biostratigraphic levels to fix the base of the Berriasian. A distinct earliest Berriasian positive carbon isotope excursion is identified in the Boreal marine carbonate (belemnites) carbon records from the Maurynya River (Northern Urals) and the Nordvik Peninsula (northern East Siberia). The excursion is found within the top part of the upper Volgian Craspedites taimyrensis ammonite Zone, slightly above the J-K boundary, which was established by palaeomagnetic data. Because a significant positive delta C-13 shift was also observed immediately above the J-K boundary in the Tethyan Guppen-Heuberge pelagic-carbonate section (Switzerland), this positive carbon isotope event can be regarded as a useful marker for a Panboreal and Boreal-Tethyan correlation of J-K boundary beds. This delta C-13 excursion is interpreted as a record of increased rates of organic carbon burial. The delta C-13 data obtained previously for the upper Volgian and Ryazanian in different Boreal regions are also analysed in this paper. Other well-documented carbon isotope excursions with less global significance allow the creation of a composite carbon-isotope curve for Boreal regions that characterises the upper Volgian and Ryazanian in detail. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.