Author:

Keywords:

benthic foraminifera, Latest Danian Event

Abstract:

Several transient hyperthermal events with a significant impact on global climate and environment are found in the geological record of the Paleocene and Eocene. Most research focuses on the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, although other events are increasingly studied. The Latest Danian Event (LDE) is a possible hyperthermal, recognized by a negative δ13C excursion in many of the world’s large basins and oceans. However, detailed paleoenvironmental work is scarce, especially for the deep sea. Here we present the results of a detailed benthic foraminiferal and paleoenvironmental study of the LDE in the Northern Atlantic on deep sea sediments of Newfoundland Ridge (IODP site 1407). At the onset of the event, the presence of a lithified opal-zeolite horizon can be linked to a possible increase in radiolarian productivity. During the LDE, paleoecological data show a boom of the benthic foraminifer Paralabamina lunata, indicating a qualitative change in the food flux towards the ocean floor. A short transient peak of uniserial nodosarids may further indicate a short period of increased current activity at the apex of the CIE. The remainder of the benthic community remains remarkably unchanged, suggesting P. lunata bloomed periodically or utilized an alternative food source compared to other taxa.