High Latitude Meteoric δ18O Compositions: Paleosol Siderite in the Middle Cretaceous Nanushuk Formation, North Slope, Alaska

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2004

Department

Geography and Geology

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

Siderite-bearing pedogenic horizons of the Nanushuk Formation of the North Slope, Alaska, provide a critical high paleolatitude oxygen isotopic proxy record of paleoprecipitation, supplying important empirical data needed for paleoclimatic reconstructions and models of “greenhouse- world” precipitation rates. Siderite δ18O values were determined from four paleosol horizons in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPR-A) Grandstand # 1 Core, and the values range between −17.6‰ and −14.3‰ Peedee belemnite (PDB) with standard deviations generally less than 0.6‰ within individual horizons. The δ13C values are much more variable, ranging from −4.6‰ to +10.8‰ PDB. A covariant δ18O versus δ13C trend in one horizon probably resulted from mixing between modified marine and meteoric phreatic fluids during siderite precipitation.

Groundwater values calculated from siderite oxygen isotopic values and paleobotanical temperature estimates range from −23.0‰ to −19.5‰ standard mean ocean water (SMOW). Minor element analyses show that the siderites are impure, having enrichments in Ca, Mg, Mn, and Sr. Minor element substitutions and Mg/Fe and Mg/(Ca + Mg) ratios also suggest the influence of marine fluids upon siderite precipitation.

The pedogenic horizons are characterized by gleyed colors, rare root traces, abundant siderite, abundant organic matter, rare clay and silty clay coatings and infillings, some preservation of primary sedimentary stratification, and a lack of ferruginous oxides and mottles. The pedogenic features suggest that these were poorly drained, reducing, hydromorphic soils that developed in coal-bearing delta plain facies and are similar to modern Inceptisols.

Model-derived estimates of precipitation rates for the Late Albian of the North Slope, Alaska (485–626 mm/yr), are consistent with precipitation rates necessary to maintain modern peat-forming environments. This information reinforces the mutual consistency between empirical paleotemperature estimates and isotope mass balance models of the hydrologic cycle and can be used in future global circulation modeling (GCM) experiments of “greenhouse- world” climates to constrain high latitude precipitation rates in simulations of ancient worlds with decreased equator-to-pole temperature gradients.

Publication Title

Geological Society of America Bulletin

Volume

116

Issue

3-4

First Page

463

Last Page

473

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