CARBON ISOTOPIC COMPOSITIONS OF ORGANIC MATTER ACROSS CONTINENTAL CRETACEOUS-TERTIARY (K-T) BOUNDARY SECTIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PALEOENVIRONMENT AFTER THE K-T IMPACT EVENT

Abstract

To assess the environmental perturbation induced by the impact event that marks the Cretaceous–Tertiary (K–T) boundary, concentrations and isotopic compositions of bulk organic carbon were determined in sedimentary rocks that span the terrestrial K–T boundary at Dogie Creek, Montana, and Brownie Butte, Wyoming in the Western Interior of the United States. The boundary clays at both sites are not bounded by coals. Although coals consist mainly of organic matter derived from plant tissue, siliceous sedimentary rocks, such as shale and clay, may contain organic matter derived from microbiota as well as plants. Coals record δ13C values of plant-derived organic matter, reflecting the δ13C value of atmospheric CO2, whereas siliceous sedimentary rocks record the δ13C values of organic matter derived from plants and microbiota. The microbiota δ13C value reflects not only the δ13C value of atmospheric CO2, but also biological productivity. Therefore, the siliceous rocks from these sites yields information that differs from that obtained previously from coal beds.