Abstract.
The
youngest
fossil
record
is
a
crucial
source
of
data
documenting
the
recent
history
marine
ecosystems
and
their
long-term
alteration
by
humans.
However,
human
activities
that
reshape
communities
habitats
also
alter
sedimentary
biological
processes
control
formation
archives
recording
those
impacts.
These
diverse
physical,
geochemical,
disturbances
include
changes
in
sediment
fluxes
due
to
alluvial
coastal
landscapes,
seabed
disturbance
bottom
trawling
ship
traffic,
ocean
acidification
deoxygenation,
removal
native
species,
introduction
invasive
ecosystem
engineers.
novel
modify
sedimentation
rates,
depth
intensity
mixing,
pore
water
saturation
state,
preservation
potential
skeletal
remains
–
parameters
controlling
completeness
spatiotemporal
resolution
record.
We
argue
humans
have
become
major
force
transforming
nature
ways
can
both
impede
improve
our
ability
reconstruct
past
ecological
climate
dynamics.
A
better
understanding
feedback
between
impacts
on
offers
new
research
opportunities
tools
for
interpreting
geohistorical
ongoing
anthropogenic
transformation
ocean.
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
10(12), P. 1948 - 1948
Published: Dec. 8, 2022
Field
investigation,
biostratigraphic,
paleoecological,
and
sedimentary
microfacies
analyses,
as
well
diagenetic
processes
characterization,
were
carried
out
in
the
Epirus
region
(Western
Ionian
Basin)
to
define
depositional
environments
further
decipher
history
of
Late
Cretaceous–Early
Paleocene
carbonate
succession
western
continental
Greece.
Planktonic
foraminiferal
biostratigraphy
studied
carbonates
revealed
that
investigated
part
Gardiki
section
covers
Cretaceous–Paleogene
(K-Pg)
transition,
partly
reflecting
Senonian
limestone
calciturbidites
formations
zone
stratigraphy.
Litho-and
bio-facies
analyses
allowed
for
recognition
three
distinct
facies:
(a)
latest
Maastrichtian
pelagic
biomicrite
mudstone
with
situ
planktonic
foraminifera,
radiolarians,
filaments,
(b)
a
packstone
abundant
foraminifera
at
K-Pg
boundary,
(c)
an
early
wackestone
veins,
micritized
mixed
fauna
terms
reworked
(aberrant
or
broken)
foraminifera.
The
documented
facies
characterize
relatively
low
medium
energy
deep
environment,
representing
transition
from
basin
shelf
toe
slope
crossing
boundary.
Micropaleontological
paleoecological
samples
demonstrate
primary
productivity
collapse
is
key
proximate
cause
this
extinction
event.
Additional
petrographic
showed
petrophysical
behavior
reservoir
characteristics
study
deposits
are
controlled
by
environment
(marine,
meteoric,
burial
diagenetic)
influenced
such
micritization,
compaction,
cementation,
dissolution,
fracturing.
Paleobiology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 1 - 18
Published: March 7, 2024
Abstract
Stratigraphic
paleobiology
uses
a
modern
understanding
of
the
construction
stratigraphic
record—from
beds
to
depositional
sequences
sedimentary
basins—to
interpret
patterns
and
guide
sampling
strategies
in
fossil
record.
Over
past
25
years,
its
principles
have
been
established
primarily
through
forward
numerical
modeling,
originally
shallow-marine
systems
more
recently
nonmarine
systems.
Predictions
these
models
tested
outcrop-scale
basin-scale
field
studies,
which
also
revealed
new
insights.
At
multi-basin
global
scales,
joint
development
biotic
records
has
come
largely
from
macrostratigraphy,
analysis
gap-bound
packages
rock.
Here,
we
present
recent
advances
six
major
areas
paleobiology,
including
critical
tests
Po
Plain
Italy,
mass
extinctions
recoveries,
contrasts
systems,
interrelationships
habitats
architecture,
large-scale
assembly
regional
ecosystems.
We
highlight
potential
for
future
research
that
applies
paleobiological
concepts
studies
climate
change,
geochemistry,
phylogenetics,
structure
conclude
with
need
thinking
paleobiology.
Paleobiology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 1 - 28
Published: Nov. 7, 2024
Abstract
Bioturbation
can
increase
time
averaging
by
downward
and
upward
movements
of
young
old
shells
within
the
entire
mixed
layer
accelerating
burial
into
a
sequestration
zone
(SZ),
allowing
them
to
bypass
uppermost
taphonomically
active
(TAZ).
However,
bioturbation
shell
disintegration
concurrently,
neutralizing
positive
effects
mixing
on
averaging.
Bioirrigation
oxygenated
pore-water
promotes
carbonate
dissolution
in
TAZ,
biomixing
itself
mill
weakened
or
microbial
maceration,
and/or
expose
damage
at
sediment–water
interface.
Here,
we
fit
transition
rate
matrices
bivalve
age–frequency
distributions
from
four
sediment
cores
southern
California
middle
shelf
(50–75
m)
assess
competing
averaging,
exploiting
strong
gradient
rates
accumulation
created
historic
wastewater
pollution.
We
find
that
covaries
positively
with
all
sites,
accord
scenario
where
ultimately
fuels
disintegration.
Both
decline
abruptly
base
20-
40-cm-thick,
age-homogenized
surface
three
well-bioturbated
despite
different
accumulation.
In
contrast,
are
very
low
upper
25
cm
an
effluent
site
legacy
toxicity,
recolonization
bioirrigating
lucinid
bivalves.
Assemblages
formed
during
maximum
emissions
vary
strongly
millennial
scales
low-sediment
non-effluent
centennial
scale
was
high
but
recovered
quickly,
decadal
second
high-sedimentation
remained
for
decades.
Thus,
even
though
covary
rates,
reducing
postmortem
survival,
has
net
effect
increasing
skeletal
remains
this
warm-temperate
siliciclastic
shelf.
Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
594, P. 110947 - 110947
Published: March 24, 2022
Middle
Devonian
(Eifelian/Givetian
transition)
brachiopod-hosted
sclerobiont
assemblage
from
Gondwana
(Morocco,
eastern
Anti-Atlas,
Mader
Basin)
has
been
studied
for
the
first
time.
The
analysis
of
hundreds
brachiopod
shells
revealed
at
least
26
taxa,
making
palaeoecommunity
one
most
diverse
reported
to
date.
palaeocommunity
is
dominated
by
encrusting
organisms,
in
particular
bryozoans,
foraminifers,
ascodictyids
and
microconchids,
whereas
bioeroders
are
represented
Clionolithes
Oichnus
ichnospecies.
As
supported
microfacies,
fossil
preservation
presence
Rothpletzella
algae,
sclerobionts
developed
a
calm,
euphotic,
offshore
marine
environment
situated
below
normal
wave
base.
Prevalence
articulated
without
signs
either
extensive
mineral
staining,
or
taphonomic
alteration
resulting
hydrodynamic
processes,
as
well
some
delicate
encrusters
(Vinella,
Rothpletzella),
indicate
that
did
not
undergo
time-averaging.
hosts
were
colonized
syn
vivo,
evidenced
epibiont
growth
near
commissure
margin,
shell
malformations
even
embedded
auloporid
corals
cornulitid
tubeworms.
Competition
space
among
was
apparently
limited,
suggested
very
low
number
overgrowth
interactions,
indicating
shelly
substrate
available
colonization
abundant.
same
dominant
groups
on
different
host
taxa
indicates
lack
species-selectivity
these
colonizing
sclerobionts.
It
also
suggests
species
pool
generally
similar
throughout
deposition
sampled
rock
interval.
testified
bryozoan
species,
this
locality
northern
had
strong
affinities
with
those
southern
margin
Laurussia,
likely
reflecting
connectivity
between
regions
provided
South
Equatorial
–
North
current
system
during
late
Eifelian
Kačák
transgressive
episode.
Paleobiology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
49(3), P. 527 - 562
Published: Jan. 19, 2023
Abstract
Understanding
how
time
averaging
changes
during
burial
is
essential
for
using
Holocene
and
Anthropocene
cores
to
analyze
ecosystem
change,
given
the
many
ways
in
which
affects
biodiversity
measures.
Here,
we
use
transition-rate
matrices
explore
extent
of
downcore
as
shells
transit
through
a
taphonomically
complex
mixed
layer
into
permanently
buried
historical
layers:
this
null
model,
without
any
temporal
rates
sedimentation
or
bioturbation,
contrast
with
patterns
that
might
be
produced
by
human
activity.
Assuming
stochastic
exhumation
movements
between
increments
within
disintegration
increments,
find
almost
all
combinations
net
sedimentation,
mixing,
produce
increase
(interquartile
range
[IQR]
shell
ages),
trend
typically
associated
decrease
kurtosis
skewness
shift
from
right-skewed
symmetrical
age
distributions.
A
thus
expectation
wherever
bioturbation
generates
an
internally
structured
(i.e.,
surface,
well-mixed
underlain
incompletely
layer):
under
these
conditions,
are
throughout
entire
at
slower
rate
than
they
below
it
sedimentation.
This
created
mixing
further
amplified
decline
rate.
We
accurately
reproduce
IQR,
skewness,
observed
bivalve
assemblages
southern
California
shelf.
The
age-frequency
distributions
typical
surface
death
assemblages—the
focus
most
actualistic
research—might
fossilized
exceptional
conditions
episodic
anoxia
sudden
burial.
However,
such
will
not
survive
subsurface
geologically
transient.
deep-time
fossil
record
dominated
instead
more
time-averaged
weakly
skewed
form
lower
parts
layer.
Palaios,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
39(8), P. 243 - 263
Published: Aug. 17, 2024
Abstract
Understanding
the
drivers
of
vertebrate
fossil
preservation
is
important
for
paleontologists
who
rely
on
well-preserved
fossils
to
study
biological
or
ecological
context
fauna
they
represent.
Differences
in
limit
ability
compare
change
across
time.
Bones,
however,
can
contain
clues
their
preservational
history:
natural
voids
skeletal
remains
are
potential
sites
mineral
precipitation
during
early
and
late
diagenesis,
reactive
bioapatite
provides
chemical
physical
signals
post-mortem
environment.
The
sensitivity
both
infilling
minerals
taphonomic
alteration
environment
has
yet
be
tested
record.
Bones
associated
with
discontinuity
surfaces
such
as
hiatal
flooding
erosional
sequence
boundaries
should
face
prolonged
exposure
at
sediment-water
interface
and/or
within
surface
mixed
layer,
increasing
opportunity
modification
by
processes
geochemically
disparate
(redox)
conditions,
compared
bones
from
facies
aggradational
intervals,
where
burial
most
likely
rapid
immediately
permanent.
µXRF
thin-section-based
petrographic
analysis
marine
mammal
famously
fossiliferous
Eocene
siliciclastics
Wadi
al-Hitan,
Egypt,
reveal
strong
variation
stratigraphic
position:
found
along
boundary
show
Fe-oxide
linings
evidence
desiccation
subaerial
exposure,
distinct
other
settings;
a
bone
maximum
uniquely
lacks
calcite
but
brecciated
cancellous
bone;
systems
tracts
variable
extent
infill
microfacies
consistent
exclusively
subaqueous
specifically
shallow
deposition.
Early
diagenetic
signatures
were
preserved
despite
many
specimens
being
strongly
fractured
infilled
gypsum
precipitated
weathering.
abundant
pore
space
thus
acted
time-capsules
retaining
authigenic
microtaphonomic
features
linked
original
(Eocene)
depositional
context.
Biogeosciences,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
18(22), P. 5929 - 5965
Published: Nov. 22, 2021
Abstract.
Although
the
depth
of
bioturbation
can
be
estimated
on
basis
ichnofabric,
timescale
sediment
mixing
(reworking)
and
irrigation
(ventilation)
by
burrowers
that
affects
carbonate
preservation
biogeochemical
cycles
is
difficult
to
estimate
in
stratigraphic
record.
However,
pyrite
linings
interior
shells
a
signature
slow
shallow
irrigation.
They
indicate
molluscs
initially
inhabiting
oxic
pockets
were
immediately
permanently
sequestered
reduced,
iron-rich
microenvironments
within
mixed
layer.
Molluscan
biomass-stimulated
sulfate
reduction
precipitation
was
confined
location
decay
under
such
conditions.
A
high
abundance
pyrite-lined
record
thus
diagnostic
limited
exposure
organic
tissues
O2
even
when
seafloor
inhabited
abundant
infauna
disrupting
age-homogenizing
sedimentary
fabric
as
present-day
northern
Adriatic
Sea.
Here,
we
reconstruct
this
sequestration
pathway
characterized
(1)
assessing
postmortem
ages
shallow-infaunal
hypoxia-tolerant
bivalve
Varicorbula
gibba
cores
(2)
evaluating
whether
an
independently
documented
decline
mixing,
driven
frequency
seasonal
hypoxia
during
20th
century,
affected
First,
at
prodelta
sites
with
sedimentation
rate,
framboids
form
rapidly
upper
5–10
cm
they
already
appear
interiors
younger
than
10
years
occur
preferentially
well-preserved
articulated
periostracum.
Second,
increments
deposited
early
century
contain
<
20
%
lined
Po
30
%–40
Isonzo
prodelta,
whereas
late
possess
50
%–80
both
locations.
At
low
(<
%–20
%).
Surface
sediments
remained
well
deposit
detritus
feeders
maintaining
suboxic
zone
dissolved
iron.
The
upcore
increase
indicates
oxycline
reduced
bioirrigation
rates
declined
century.
We
hypothesize
permanent
V.
subsurface
enabled
recovery
infaunal
communities
from
hypoxic
events,
leading
dominance
surficial
modifiers
potential.
presence
very
young
valves
uppermost
zones
layer
rapid
obrution
episodic
deposition
not
needed
for
transient
background
are
(here,
exceeding
∼
0.1
yr−1)
organisms
die
their
living
position
sediment.
Abundance
per
assemblage
apparently
well-mixed
deep-time
indicator
inefficient
bioirrigation.
Fine-grained
Sea
since
mid-20th
potential
formed
layer,
represent
taphonomic
diagenetic
analogues
skeletal
assemblages
linings.
Geological Society London Special Publications,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
529(1), P. 365 - 394
Published: Oct. 20, 2022
Abstract
The
mid-Piacenzian
Warm
Period
(mPWP:
3.3–3.0
Ma)
is
the
most
recent
geological
analogue
of
ongoing
climate
change
and
has
been
subject
considerable
interest
for
numerical
models
system.
To
verify
effect
mPWP
on
diversity
temporal
turnover
marine
benthic
communities,
we
evaluated
changes
in
species-level
abundance
composition
Mediterranean
Pliocene
molluscs
prior,
during
after
mPWP.
onshore–offshore
gradient
species
did
not
(and
continued
basically
unchanged
up
to
present
day
Sea),
with
dominant
occupying
same
rank
a
given
environment.
During
mPWP,
evenness
generally
increased
towards
offshore
environments.
Within
three
time
intervals,
similarity
greater
environments,
except
when
communities
also
exhibited
dissimilarity.
decreased
again
depth
as
global
temperatures
structure
suggests
that
warming
sea-level
rise
contributed
expansion
vegetated
bottoms
(onshore)
shelly
coralligenous
(offshore).
Although
effects
long
term,
its
disproportionately
affected
deeper
contrast
colder
regimes.
Palaios,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
37(10), P. 553 - 573
Published: Oct. 20, 2022
Abstract
Condensed
transgressive
shell
beds,
rich
in
paleobiological
information,
are
common
the
Phanerozoic
stratigraphic
record,
but
their
interpretation
is
complicated
by
uncertain
amount
of
time
that
each
deposit
represents.
Miocene
strata
exposed
Calvert
Cliffs
(Maryland,
USA)
known
for
a
series
regionally
extensive,
densely
packed,
meters-thick
beds
serve
as
global
exemplars
shallow-water
condensation
during
marine
transgression
and
onlap.
Applying
Sr
isotope
stratigraphy
to
calcitic
scallops
from
base
top
oldest
these
(Shattuck
Zone
10),
we
demonstrate
its
most
fossiliferous
part
accumulated
over
interval
16.60–15.95
Ma,
reflecting
approximately
0.65
±0.20
Myr
skeletal
accumulation
within
Climatic
Optimum,
with
likely
0.15
Myr-scale
averaging
per
firmground-bounded
subunit.
Both
estimates
an
order
magnitude
longer
than
previous
best
based
on
radiocarbon-dated
Holocene
analogs.
isotopes
confirm
subtle
low-angle
erosional
beveling
main
body
10,
truncating
0.3-Myr
record
updip
sections,
down-dip
wedge
less
shelly
sand
entirely
younger
(by
∼
0.5
Myr)
interleaved
body.
This
condensation,
beveling,
inter-shingling
10
quantified
here
sets
precedent
lateral
vertical
temporal
variability
condensed
deposits,
relevant
paleobiologic
other
geohistorical
analysis,
justifies
comparably
complex
fabrics
upon
similar
physical
features
found
elsewhere
this
very
thin
records.