Testing carbonate chemostratigraphy across differentiated ancient shallow-platform environments (Early Kimmeridgian, S Iberia)

Abstract

Shallow-platform settings with marked differences in paleoplatform bottom physiography influence the degree of connection with oceanic waters and overall circulation patterns, even when sharing the same palaeoclimatic conditions. Two Kimmeridgian shallow-marine settings have been explored to test the sensitivity and reliability of carbonate chemostratigraphy to detect such differences. An integrated overview of the obtained elemental trends depicted four major facies, shared along specific stratigraphic intervals of both depositional records. Diagenesis obliterated original geochemical signals only throughout the siliciclastics-rich interval, corresponding to the most landward setting. For the remaining facies, elemental features could be attributed to the differential action of forcing mechanisms operating along the south-Iberian paleomargin during Kimmeridgian times. The highest degree of continental influence can be recognized by a strong relationship between Fe and Mn for the most proximal setting, which fades out along the mixed carbonate-fine siliciclastic rhythmic deposition in more open settings. A characteristic geochemical signature of progressively more positive d13C values and significantly higher Sr content is identified for the interval dominated by biogenic sponge buildups.