The Cenomanian/Turonian oceanic event : response of the atmospheric CO2 level

Abstract

The Cenomanian/Turonian transition is characterized by a world-wide deposition of laminated organic matter-rich marine facies. The absence of benthonic faunas and the low abundance and diversity of planktonic microfossil groups indicates that these sediments were deposited under oxygen deficient conditions (Jarvis et al., 1988. Our results show that the increased burial of OM in the oceanic realm had a profound effect on the North African continental ecosystem through a significant reduction in atmospheric CO₂ levels.