Author:

Keywords:

benthic foraminifera, Latest Danian Event

Abstract:

Several transient (<200 kyr) hyperthermal events disturbed the early Paleogene marine ecosystem, of which the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum or PETM (~56 Ma) was the most prominent. The Latest Danian Event or LDE (~62 Ma) is characterized by a >0.7‰ negative benthic foraminiferal carbon isotope excursion (CIE) in various Tethyan and deep-sea sections, reaching the lowest δ13C values of the Paleocene. It is one of the first potential Paleogene hyperthermals and is superimposed on a cooling trend, contrary to other hyperthermals. We present new benthic foraminiferal faunal and stable isotope data from Walvis Ridge ODP Site 1262 (Atlantic Ocean). δ13C and δ18O analysis on the benthic foraminifer Nuttallides truempyi show a ~0.9‰ negative CIE at 62.14 Ma. A concurrent ~0.6‰ δ18O excursion indicates a ~2.5°C temperature rise. A second CIE and negative δ18O excursion is apparent ~100 kyr later. Also sedimentary records show high XRF Fe and lower CaCO3 content during these peaks. The timing of these peaks and the slope of the δ18O-δ13C regression is similar to early Eocene hyperthermals, which might suggest a similar cause. Faunal response to the LDE indicates slightly increased oligotrophy, similar to faunal responses to early Eocene hyperthermals, but much less intense.