Carbon isotopic composition of biomarkers of Cenomanian sediments of DSDP Hole 41-367

The stable carbon isotopic compositions of free and sulfur (S)-bound biomarkers derived from algae, (cyano)bacteria, archaea and higher plants and total organic carbon (TOC) during the first phase of the late Cenomanian/Turonian oceanic anoxic event (OAE) were measured in black shales deposited in the southern proto-Atlantic Ocean in the Cape Verde basin (DSDP Site 367) to determine the response of these organisms to this major perturbation of the global carbon cycle resulting from widespread burial of marine organic matter. The average positive isotope excursions of TOC and biomarkers varied from 5.1 per mil to 8.3 per mil. The d13C values were cross correlated to infer potential common sources of biomarkers. This revealed common sources for C31 and C32 hopanes but no 1:1 relationship for pristane and phytane. The correlation of d13CTOC with the d13C value of sulfur (S)-bound phytane is the strongest. This is because S-bound phytane is derived from phytol that originates from all marine primary producers (algae and cyanobacteria) and thus represents a weighted average of their carbon isotopic compositions. The d13C values of S-bound phytane and C35 hopane were also used to estimate pCO2 levels. Before the OAE burial event, pCO2 levels are estimated to be ca. 1300 ppmv using both biomarkers and the independent maximum Rubisco fractionation factors. At times of maximum organic carbon burial rates during the OAE, reconstructed pCO2 levels are estimated to be ca. 700 ppmv. However, compared to other C/T OAE sections the positive isotope excursion of S-bound phytane is also affected by an increased production during the OAE. When we compensate for this, we arrive at pCO2 levels around 1000 ppmv, a reduction of ca. 25%. This indicates that burial of organic matter can have a large effect on atmospheric CO2 levels.