ICHNOLOGY OF THE MARINE K-PG INTERVAL: ENDOBENTHIC RESPONSE TO A LARGE-SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL DISTURBANCE

• Main Author: Wiest, Logan A.
• Other Authors: Buynevich, Ilya V. (Ilya Val), Terry, Dennis O.; Grandstaff, David E.;
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Temple University Libraries 2014
• Subjects: Geology; Sedimentary geology; Paleontology; Braggs; Brazos River; Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary; Inversand Quarry; Mass Extinction; Thalassinoides; Alabama; Burrows; Planktonic foraminifera
• Online Access: http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/276312

Geology M.S. Most major Phanerozoic mass extinctions induced permanent or transient changes in ecological and anatomical characteristics of surviving benthic communities. Many infaunal marine organisms produced distinct suites of biogenic structures in a variety of depositional settings, thereby leaving an ichnological record preceding and following each extinction. This study documents a decrease in burrow size in Thalassinoides-dominated ichnoassemblages across the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary in shallow-marine sections along the Atlantic Coastal Plain (Walnridge Farm, Rancocas Creek, and Inversand Quarry, New Jersey) and the Gulf Coastal Plain (Braggs, Alabama and Brazos River and Cottonmouth Creek, Texas). At New Jersey sites, within a regionally extensive ichnoassemblage, Thalassinoides ichnospecies (isp.) burrow diameters (DTh) decrease abruptly by 26-29% (mean K=15.2 mm, mean Pg=11.2 mm; n=1767) at the base of the Main Fossiliferous Layer (MFL) or laterally equivalent horizons. The MFL has been previously interpreted as the K-Pg boundary based on last occurrence of Cretaceous marine reptiles, birds, and ammonites, as well as iridium anomalies and associated shocked quartz. Across the same event boundary at Braggs, Alabama, DTh of simple maze Thalassinoides structures from recurring depositional facies decrease sharply by 22% (mean K=13.1 mm, mean Pg=10.2 mm; n=26). Similarly, at the Cottonmouth Creek site, Texas, Thalassinoides isp. occurring above the previously reported negative £_13C shift and the first occurrence of Danian planktonic foraminifera are 17% smaller in diameter (mean K=21.5 mm, mean Pg=17.9 mm; n=53) than those excavated and filled prior to deposition of a cross-bedded, ejecta-bearing sandstone complex commonly interpreted as the Chicxulub ¡¥event deposit¡¦. At both of these impact-proximal regions, the Cretaceous and Paleogene burrows were preserved in similar lithologies, suggesting that a reduction in size cannot be attributed to sedimentological factors. At all localities, ...