Laurent Riquier

Environmental changes at the Frasnian-Famennian boundary in Central Morocco (Northern Gondwana): integrated rock-magnetic and geochemical studies.

Abstract Rock magnetic (magnetic susceptibility and hysteresis parameters) and geochemical analyses (major and trace elements) were carried out on whole rock samples of two Frasnian–Famennian boundary sections, Anajdam and Bou-Ounebdou in the Central Morocco (Western Meseta). During the Frasnian, the decreasing trend of the magnetic susceptibility signal, mainly carried by low-coercivity magnetite grains, indicates a gradual reduction of detrital influx. This decrease in detrital input parallels a Frasnian long-term sea-level rise. In the Late Frasnian Kellwasser Horizons, that are classically considered to represent highstand deposits, the magnetic signal exhibits the lowest intensities in connection with maximum diamagnetic contribution of the carbonate fraction. With respect to geochemical data, the two black carbonate-rich Kellwasser Horizons are characterized by noticeable positive anomalies of bottom-water dysoxic proxies and of marine primary productivity markers. Our data thus suggest that in Central Morocco, the Late Frasnian marine environments were marked by a relatively important biogenic productivity favouring the onset of oxygen-depleted conditions during periods of maximum transgression on the continental platforms.

Magnetization carriers of grey to red deep-water limestones in the GSSP of the Givetian–Frasnian boundary (Puech de la Suque, France): signals influenced by moderate diagenetic overprinting

Abstract Limestones at the Puech de la Suque Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Givetian–Frasnian boundary show a drastic change towards much higher magnetic susceptibility values in the Givetian rocks. Different rock magnetic parameters indicate that ferromagnetic minerals are the main controlling factor. The ferromagnetic fraction is composed of low- (magnetite-type) and high-coercivity (hematite and goethite) phases. Confirmed by the spectral reflectance, high coercivity minerals are fluctuating along the section with a higher abundance in the basal Frasnian. These phases may be of secondary origin and produced during burial stage. The magnetite-type phase contains two different grain-size populations. The identified that Stable Single-domain/Superparamagnetic (SSD/SP) particles are of diagenetic origin and their amount decreases slightly upwards. A second group of magnetite grains correspond to coarse-grained particles identified using the squareness v. coercive force plot. It is tentatively suggested here that these particles present throughout the section are of primary origin. On the contrary, the paramagnetic minerals underwent a clear diagenetic overprinting and may represent secondary minerals. The presence of a primary ferromagnetic carrier allowed the use of spectral analyses, leading to the detection of spectral peaks at 1.25 and 4 cycles/m, which can be interpreted as the result of 405-kyr and 100-kyr eccentricity forcing, respectively.

The Upper Cenomanian–Lower Turonian Anoxic Event in the Carbonate Platform of the Pre-African Trough, Morocco

During the late Cenomanian–early Turonian, the environment of the carbonate platform of the Pre-African Trough, Morocco, ranged from a peritidal zone/inner ramp to a deep, open platform. Four depositional sequences are recognized, and the major drowning phase appeared after the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary. Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) is well identified by the δ13C excursion, even in shallow water. Chemical and biological disturbances are recorded during the Cenomanian–Turonian anoxic event on the carbonate platform, with dysoxic conditions in the outer-ramp environment (west of the platform). The displacement of these dysoxic waters was controlled by sea-level variations. After OAE2, dysoxic conditions were linked to high productivity, following a humidification of the climate, which increased chemical weathering; these conditions applied to the whole platform and were the cause of a biological crisis.

Astrochronology of the Valanginian Stage from GSSP Candidates and Hypostratotype

The Valanginian Stage currently displays no radiometric age, which severely hampers palaeoceanographic reconstructions for this time interval. An astrochronology of the Valanginian Stage using the stable 405-kyr eccentricity cycle was performed on biostratigraphically well-calibrated standard sections from the Vocontian Basin (southeastern France). High-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry signals were obtained from orbitally driven marl–limestone alternations from five sections in the basin, and they display the same long-term trends. The spectral analyses present the pervasive record of the 405-kyr eccentricity cycle together with precession, obliquity, and 2.4-Myr eccentricity. Based on the identification of the 405-kyr eccentricity cycle, the duration of the Valanginian Stage is assessed at 5.08 Myr. Since the Weissert Event appears to be ~3 Myr older than the onset of the Parana–Etendeka Large Igneous Province activity, a link between these events is unlikely. We therefore propose, following Grocke et al. (2005) and Westermann et al. (2010), that continental organic carbon storage and carbonate platform demise are responsible for the onset of the δ13C positive excursion. In addition, a stronger obliquity control appears in the O. (O.) nicklesi and C. furcillata subzones. This may be linked to the limited production of polar ice suggested for this time interval.