Stepwise palaeoclimate change across the Eocene-Oligocene transition recorded in continental NW Europe by mineralogical assemblages and δ15Norg (Rennes Basin, France)

Romain Tramoy, Marie Salpin, Johann Schnyder, Alain Person, Mathieu Sebilo, Johan Yans, Véronique Vaury, Jérôme Fozzani, Hugues Bauer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Eocene-Oligocene transition (EOT, ~34 Ma) is the largest global cooling of the Cenozoic Era and led the Earth's climatic system to change from a greenhouse to an icehouse mode. Although it is well documented in marine settings, the few studies focusing on continental environments have demonstrated regional heterogeneities. The study core CDB1, located in the Rennes Basin (Western France), is a unique terrestrial (lacustrine-palustrine) record comprising well-preserved and terrestrial-derived organic-rich sediments encompassing the EOT. Clay minerals and the first organic nitrogen isotope record (δ15Norg) of terrestrial origin for this period are used to reconstruct palaeoclimate changes across this key interval. As suggested in worldwide marine and a few continental records, a stepwise transition from warm/humid conditions in the Late Eocene to cooler/drier conditions in the Early Oligocene is confirmed in the area. In addition, an episode of drier conditions in the Late Eocene and humid/dry cycles in the Early Oligocene are suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)212-220
Number of pages9
JournalTerra Nova
Volume28
Issue number3
Early online date19 Apr 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2016

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