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Carbon isotope excursions in Precambrian/Cambrian boundary beds, Morocco

Nature volume 319, pages 48–50 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

The Precambrian/Cambrian boundary is one of the most significant points on the geological timescale, because it marks the change in the fossil record from soft-bodied organisms to skeletonized faunas. The Cambrian explosion or radiation event1 saw the evolution of many new life forms, especially various molluscs and archaeocyathids from the base of the Cambrian (Tommotian stage). Others, including the trilobites and bivalves, evolved a little later in the succeeding Atdabanian stage2,3. A massive increase in the biomass of the photic zone through phytoplankton blooms has also been postulated for this time4, particularly in the late Riphean/early Vendian and in the early Cambrian5. There has been much discussion concerning where precisely to place the boundary6,7 and here are several contenders in the world for the type section8. I present here a carbon isotope profile, from the Precambrian/Cambrian boundary beds in Morocco, where two distinctive positive δ13C excursions are revealed. These are interpreted as records of increased organic productivity as part of the Precambrian/Cambrian explosion of life, δ13C excursions could be useful points for correlation between boundary sections.

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  1. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    Maurice E. Tucker

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  1. Maurice E. Tucker
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Tucker, M. Carbon isotope excursions in Precambrian/Cambrian boundary beds, Morocco. Nature 319, 48–50 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/319048a0

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