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Dynamic redox conditions control late Ediacaran metazoan ecosystems in the Nama Group, Namibia

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Dynamic redox conditions control late Ediacaran metazoan ecosystems in the Nama Group, Namibia. / Wood, R. A.; Poulton, S. W.; Prave, A. R. et al.
In: Precambrian Research, Vol. 261, 01.05.2015, p. 252-271.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Harvard

Wood, RA, Poulton, SW, Prave, AR, Hoffmann, KH, Clarkson, MO, Guilbaud, R, Lyne, JW, Tostevin, R, Bowyer, F, Penny, AM, Curtis, A & Kasemann, SA 2015, 'Dynamic redox conditions control late Ediacaran metazoan ecosystems in the Nama Group, Namibia', Precambrian Research, vol. 261, pp. 252-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2015.02.004

APA

Wood, R. A., Poulton, S. W., Prave, A. R., Hoffmann, K. H., Clarkson, M. O., Guilbaud, R., Lyne, J. W., Tostevin, R., Bowyer, F., Penny, A. M., Curtis, A., & Kasemann, S. A. (2015). Dynamic redox conditions control late Ediacaran metazoan ecosystems in the Nama Group, Namibia. Precambrian Research, 261, 252-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2015.02.004

Vancouver

Wood RA, Poulton SW, Prave AR, Hoffmann KH, Clarkson MO, Guilbaud R et al. Dynamic redox conditions control late Ediacaran metazoan ecosystems in the Nama Group, Namibia. Precambrian Research. 2015 May 1;261:252-271. Epub 2015 Feb 12. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2015.02.004

Author

Wood, R. A. ; Poulton, S. W. ; Prave, A. R. et al. / Dynamic redox conditions control late Ediacaran metazoan ecosystems in the Nama Group, Namibia. In: Precambrian Research. 2015 ; Vol. 261. pp. 252-271.

Bibtex

@article{fcd0669e10ed4d9f98a97731395eaef4,
title = "Dynamic redox conditions control late Ediacaran metazoan ecosystems in the Nama Group, Namibia",
abstract = "The first appearance of skeletal metazoans in the late Ediacaran (~550 million years ago; Ma) has been linked to the widespread development of oxygenated oceanic conditions, but a precise spatial and temporal reconstruction of their evolution has not been resolved. Here we consider the evolution of ocean chemistry from ~550 to ~541. Ma across shelf-to-basin transects in the Zaris and Witputs Sub-Basins of the Nama Group, Namibia. New carbon isotope data capture the final stages of the Shuram/Wonoka deep negative C-isotope excursion, and these are complemented with a reconstruction of water column redox dynamics utilising Fe-S-C systematics and the distribution of skeletal and soft-bodied metazoans. Combined, these inter-basinal datasets provide insight into the potential role of ocean redox chemistry during this pivotal interval of major biological innovation.The strongly negative δ13C values in the lower parts of the sections reflect both a secular, global change in the C-isotopic composition of Ediacaran seawater, as well as the influence of 'local' basinal effects as shown by the most negative δ13C values occurring in the transition from distal to proximal ramp settings. Critical, though, is that the transition to positive δ13C values postdates the appearance of calcified metazoans, indicating that the onset of biomineralization did not occur under post-excursion conditions.Significantly, we find that anoxic and ferruginous deeper water column conditions were prevalent during and after the transition to positive δ13C that marks the end of the Shuram/Wonoka excursion. Thus, if the C isotope trend reflects the transition to global-scale oxygenation in the aftermath of the oxidation of a large-scale, isotopically light organic carbon pool, it was not sufficient to fully oxygenate the deep ocean.Both sub-basins reveal highly dynamic redox structures, where shallow, inner ramp settings experienced transient oxygenation. Anoxic conditions were caused either by episodic upwelling of deeper anoxic waters or higher rates of productivity. These settings supported short-lived and monospecific skeletal metazoan communities. By contrast, microbial (thrombolite) reefs, found in deeper inner- and mid-ramp settings, supported more biodiverse communities with complex ecologies and large skeletal metazoans. These long-lived reef communities, as well as Ediacaran soft-bodied biotas, are found particularly within transgressive systems, where oxygenation was persistent. We suggest that a mid-ramp position enabled physical ventilation mechanisms for shallow water column oxygenation to operate during flooding and transgressive sea-level rise. Our data support a prominent role for oxygen, and for stable oxygenated conditions in particular, in controlling both the distribution and ecology of Ediacaran skeletal metazoan communities.",
keywords = "Biomineralisation, Ecosystems, Ediacaran, Metazoans, Neoproterozoic, Oxygenation",
author = "Wood, {R. A.} and Poulton, {S. W.} and Prave, {A. R.} and Hoffmann, {K. H.} and Clarkson, {M. O.} and R. Guilbaud and Lyne, {J. W.} and R. Tostevin and F. Bowyer and Penny, {A. M.} and A. Curtis and Kasemann, {S. A.}",
year = "2015",
month = may,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/j.precamres.2015.02.004",
language = "English",
volume = "261",
pages = "252--271",
journal = "Precambrian Research",
issn = "0301-9268",
publisher = "Elsevier",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Dynamic redox conditions control late Ediacaran metazoan ecosystems in the Nama Group, Namibia

AU - Wood, R. A.

AU - Poulton, S. W.

AU - Prave, A. R.

AU - Hoffmann, K. H.

AU - Clarkson, M. O.

AU - Guilbaud, R.

AU - Lyne, J. W.

AU - Tostevin, R.

AU - Bowyer, F.

AU - Penny, A. M.

AU - Curtis, A.

AU - Kasemann, S. A.

PY - 2015/5/1

Y1 - 2015/5/1

N2 - The first appearance of skeletal metazoans in the late Ediacaran (~550 million years ago; Ma) has been linked to the widespread development of oxygenated oceanic conditions, but a precise spatial and temporal reconstruction of their evolution has not been resolved. Here we consider the evolution of ocean chemistry from ~550 to ~541. Ma across shelf-to-basin transects in the Zaris and Witputs Sub-Basins of the Nama Group, Namibia. New carbon isotope data capture the final stages of the Shuram/Wonoka deep negative C-isotope excursion, and these are complemented with a reconstruction of water column redox dynamics utilising Fe-S-C systematics and the distribution of skeletal and soft-bodied metazoans. Combined, these inter-basinal datasets provide insight into the potential role of ocean redox chemistry during this pivotal interval of major biological innovation.The strongly negative δ13C values in the lower parts of the sections reflect both a secular, global change in the C-isotopic composition of Ediacaran seawater, as well as the influence of 'local' basinal effects as shown by the most negative δ13C values occurring in the transition from distal to proximal ramp settings. Critical, though, is that the transition to positive δ13C values postdates the appearance of calcified metazoans, indicating that the onset of biomineralization did not occur under post-excursion conditions.Significantly, we find that anoxic and ferruginous deeper water column conditions were prevalent during and after the transition to positive δ13C that marks the end of the Shuram/Wonoka excursion. Thus, if the C isotope trend reflects the transition to global-scale oxygenation in the aftermath of the oxidation of a large-scale, isotopically light organic carbon pool, it was not sufficient to fully oxygenate the deep ocean.Both sub-basins reveal highly dynamic redox structures, where shallow, inner ramp settings experienced transient oxygenation. Anoxic conditions were caused either by episodic upwelling of deeper anoxic waters or higher rates of productivity. These settings supported short-lived and monospecific skeletal metazoan communities. By contrast, microbial (thrombolite) reefs, found in deeper inner- and mid-ramp settings, supported more biodiverse communities with complex ecologies and large skeletal metazoans. These long-lived reef communities, as well as Ediacaran soft-bodied biotas, are found particularly within transgressive systems, where oxygenation was persistent. We suggest that a mid-ramp position enabled physical ventilation mechanisms for shallow water column oxygenation to operate during flooding and transgressive sea-level rise. Our data support a prominent role for oxygen, and for stable oxygenated conditions in particular, in controlling both the distribution and ecology of Ediacaran skeletal metazoan communities.

AB - The first appearance of skeletal metazoans in the late Ediacaran (~550 million years ago; Ma) has been linked to the widespread development of oxygenated oceanic conditions, but a precise spatial and temporal reconstruction of their evolution has not been resolved. Here we consider the evolution of ocean chemistry from ~550 to ~541. Ma across shelf-to-basin transects in the Zaris and Witputs Sub-Basins of the Nama Group, Namibia. New carbon isotope data capture the final stages of the Shuram/Wonoka deep negative C-isotope excursion, and these are complemented with a reconstruction of water column redox dynamics utilising Fe-S-C systematics and the distribution of skeletal and soft-bodied metazoans. Combined, these inter-basinal datasets provide insight into the potential role of ocean redox chemistry during this pivotal interval of major biological innovation.The strongly negative δ13C values in the lower parts of the sections reflect both a secular, global change in the C-isotopic composition of Ediacaran seawater, as well as the influence of 'local' basinal effects as shown by the most negative δ13C values occurring in the transition from distal to proximal ramp settings. Critical, though, is that the transition to positive δ13C values postdates the appearance of calcified metazoans, indicating that the onset of biomineralization did not occur under post-excursion conditions.Significantly, we find that anoxic and ferruginous deeper water column conditions were prevalent during and after the transition to positive δ13C that marks the end of the Shuram/Wonoka excursion. Thus, if the C isotope trend reflects the transition to global-scale oxygenation in the aftermath of the oxidation of a large-scale, isotopically light organic carbon pool, it was not sufficient to fully oxygenate the deep ocean.Both sub-basins reveal highly dynamic redox structures, where shallow, inner ramp settings experienced transient oxygenation. Anoxic conditions were caused either by episodic upwelling of deeper anoxic waters or higher rates of productivity. These settings supported short-lived and monospecific skeletal metazoan communities. By contrast, microbial (thrombolite) reefs, found in deeper inner- and mid-ramp settings, supported more biodiverse communities with complex ecologies and large skeletal metazoans. These long-lived reef communities, as well as Ediacaran soft-bodied biotas, are found particularly within transgressive systems, where oxygenation was persistent. We suggest that a mid-ramp position enabled physical ventilation mechanisms for shallow water column oxygenation to operate during flooding and transgressive sea-level rise. Our data support a prominent role for oxygen, and for stable oxygenated conditions in particular, in controlling both the distribution and ecology of Ediacaran skeletal metazoan communities.

KW - Biomineralisation

KW - Ecosystems

KW - Ediacaran

KW - Metazoans

KW - Neoproterozoic

KW - Oxygenation

U2 - 10.1016/j.precamres.2015.02.004

DO - 10.1016/j.precamres.2015.02.004

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84924071076

VL - 261

SP - 252

EP - 271

JO - Precambrian Research

JF - Precambrian Research

SN - 0301-9268

ER -