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Anomalous 13C enrichment in modern marine organic carbon

Nature volume 315, pages 216–218 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

Marine organic carbon is heavier isotopically (13C enriched) than most land-plant or terrestrial organic C1. Accordingly, δ13C values of organic C in modern marine sediments are routinely interpreted in terms of the relative proportions of marine and terrestrial sources of the preserved organic matter2,3. When independent geochemical techniques are used to evaluate the source of organic matter in Cretaceous or older rocks, those rocks containing mostly marine organic C are found typically to have lighter (more-negative) δ13C values than rocks containing mostly terrestrial organic C. Here we conclude that marine photosynthesis in mid-Cretaceous and earlier oceans generally resulted in a greater fractionation of C isotopes and produced organic C having lighter δ13C values. Modern marine photosynthesis may be occurring under unusual geological conditions (higher oceanic primary production rates, lower P C O 2 ) that limit dissolved CO2 availability and minimize carbon isotope fractionation4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, 02882, USA

    Michael A. Arthur

  2. US Geological Survey, PO Box 25046, Denver, Colorado, USA

    Walter E. Dean & George E. Claypool

Authors
  1. Michael A. Arthur
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  2. Walter E. Dean
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  3. George E. Claypool
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Arthur, M., Dean, W. & Claypool, G. Anomalous 13C enrichment in modern marine organic carbon. Nature 315, 216–218 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/315216a0

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