On the reliability of stable carbon isotopes for Neoproterozoic chemostratigraphic correlation

The reliability of delta C-13 trends in Neoproterozoic carbonate-dominated successions for regional and global chemostratigraphic correlation is discussed In the light of recent findings of a predominantly non-marine rare earth element and yttrium signature in most Neoproterozoic carbonates and a comparatively short oceanic residence time of carbon trends towards enrichment in C-13 seen in many of these carbonates are considered to reflect facies variations rather than temporal signals of ocean chemistry Positive delta C-13(Carb) excursions are explained by elevated bioproductivity and/or increased evaporation in shallow marine near-coastal temporarily restricted depositional environments Examples are provided that illustrate that C isotope trends can be highly ambiguous temporal markers and are in the absence of other chemostratigraphic data such as Sr isotope ratios and radiometric age control of only limited use for stratigraphic correlation The overall enrichment in C-13 recorded by most Neoproterozoic carbonates except for those in close stratigraphic proximity to glacial deposits is suggested to reflect a dominance of microbially mediated carbonate formation in the Neoproterozoic This might explain why C isotope chemostratigraphy in Neoproterozoic successions is less reliable than in Phanerozoic successions in which carbonates are with only few exceptions biogenic products of shelly fossils (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved