High concentration of 28,30-bisnorhopane and 25,28,30-trisnorhopane at the PETM in the Faroe-Shetland basin

Watson, Jonathan and Kelley, Simon (2009). High concentration of 28,30-bisnorhopane and 25,28,30-trisnorhopane at the PETM in the Faroe-Shetland basin. In: 24th International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry, 6-11 Sep 2009, Bremen, Germany.

URL: http://www.marum.de/Binaries/Binary42310/IMOG2009_...

Abstract

Petroleum exploration in the Faroe-Shetland basin has resulted in the drilling of wells some of which contain expanded sections across the Palaeocene Eocene thermal maximum event (PETM). Here we present data from a Faroe – Shetland Basin well. Samples analysed have a mixture of terrestrial and marine inputs. PETM events, are recorded in both bulk and compound specific carbon isotope excursions of 2-3'. In addition, the PETM is marked by a change in palynology and we have observed changes in the distribution of biomarkers across the PETM and recognise a sharply defined spike in 25,28,30- trisnorhopane (TNH) and 28,30-bisnorhopane (BNH) concentrations at the PETM boundary. Firstly, while we have been able to identify variation in a range of compounds present in the core, their variation reassuringly mostly follow associated palynological changes. Demethylated hopanes 28,30-bisnorhopane (BNH) and 25,28,30-trisnorhopane (TNH), are present in relatively low concentrations just below and above the carbon isotope excursion (CIE), but in high concentrations at the PETM (Fig 1). The actual bacteria responsible for TNH and BNH in geological samples has so far not been determined [1]. However, BNH and TNH are thought to be produced by chemoautotrophic bacteria, their presence in rocks which formed in inner neritic environments may indicate strong upwelling or perhaps ocean overturn. Extreme shallowing of the CCD is well documented at the PETM, but there has previously been no clear indicator for a potential ocean overturn, although this has previously been mentioned as a potential driver for the event. While this has been dismissed as a mechanism driving the PETM events because it was envisaged as a local basin overturn, and can not explain the global extent of the PETM [2], we propose that the presence of TNH and BNH indicates ocean overturn may have played a role in the PETM. While it may not explain the isotopically light carbon in its entirety, stratification and ocean overturn may be a consequence of high temperatures, since palynological evidence indicates very low salinity conditions in surface waters at the PETM.

Viewing alternatives

Look up in Google Scholar

Download history

Item Actions

Export

About

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)

Recommendations