Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Guembelitria irregularis Bloom at the K-T Boundary: Morphological Abnormalities Induced by Impact-related Extreme Environmental Stress?

  • Chapter
Biological Processes Associated with Impact Events

Part of the book series: Impact Studies ((IMPACTSTUD))

Abstract

The planktonic foraminiferal species Guembelitria irregularis displays an aberrant test due to the irregular disposition and growth of the chambers which suggest a morphological malformation. Available data across the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) transition from three Tunisian sections (El Kef II, Elles II, Ain Settara) and Kazakhstan (Koshak) and new data from Spain (Caravaca), and Italy (Erto), show a dramatic and remarkable increase in abundance of G. irregularis (up to 93% at El Kef II) in the small 38–63 µm fraction of the assemblages from the lower Danian planktonic foraminiferal Zones P0-P1a. Positive peaks in the abundance of this form are also recorded in the latest Maastrichtian, even though with minor percentages (up to 16% at El Kef II). Fossil and Recent foraminiferal tests showing morphological abnormalities have long been reported from stressed environments. Accordingly, we speculate that the morphological abnormalities shown by the G. irregularis test across the K-T boundary are the result of the extremely stressful environmental conditions related to the complex interplay of different events (rapid and extreme climate fluctuactions, sea-level changes, intense volcanism, and impact events, which characterize the last hundreds of thousand of years of the Cretaceous and the beginning of the Danian. In particular, the post-K-T morphological abnormality of G. irregularis may be related to high stress conditions induced by the K-T impact.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abramovich S, Keller G (2002) High stress late Maastrichtian paleoenvironment: inference from planktonic foraminifera in Tunisia. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 178: 145–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adatte T, Keller G, Burns S, Stoykova KH, Ivanov MI, Vangelov D, Kramer U, Stueben D (2002) Paleoenvironment across the Cretaceous-Tertiary transition in Eastern Bulgaria. In: Koeberl C, MacLeod KG (eds) Catastrophic Events and Mass Extinctions: Impacts and Beyond. Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 356: 231–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez LW, Alvarez W, Asaro F, Michel HV (1980) Extraterrestrial cause for the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction. Science 208: 1095–1108

    Google Scholar 

  • Alve E (1991) Benthic foraminifera in sediment cores reflecting heavy metal pollution in Sørfjord, Western Norway. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 21:1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Alve E (1995) Benthic foraminifera response to estuarine pollution: a review. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 25: 190–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arz JA, Arenillas I, Molina E, Sepúlveda R (2000) La estabilidad evolutiva de los foraminiferos planctónicos en el Maastrichtiense Superior y su extinctión en el limite Cretácico/Terciario de Caravaca, España. Revista Geológica de Chile 27: 27–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Canudo JI, Keller G, Molina E (1991) Cretaceous/Tertiary extinction pattern and faunal turnover at Agost and Caravaca: S.E. Spain. Marine Micropaleontology 17: 319–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castellarin A (1979) Il problema dei raccorciamenti crostali del Sudalpino. Rendiconti della Società Geologica Italiana 1: 21–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Coccioni R (2000) Benthic foraminifera as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution. In: Martin RE (ed) Environmental Micropaleontology: The Application of Microfossils to Environmental Geology, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, pp 71–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Coccioni R, Galeotti S (1994) K-T boundary extinction: geologically instantaneous or gradual event? Evidence from deep-sea benthic foraminifera. Geology 22: 779–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denham CR, Scotese CR (1987) Terra Mobilis: A plate tectonic program for the Macintosh, version 1.1. Geoimages, Earth in Motion Technology, Austin, TX: 26 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Doglioni C, Bosellini A (1987) Eoalpine and mesoalpine tectonis in the Southern Alps. Geologische Rundschau 77: 734–754

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerstel J, Thunell RC, Zachos JC, Arthur MA (1986) The Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary event in the North Pacific: planktonic foraminiferal results from Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 577, Shatsky Rise. Paleoceanography 1: 97–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geslin E, Debenay JP, Lesourd M (1998) Abnormal wall textures and test deformation in Ammonia (hyaline foraminifer). Journal of Foraminiferal Research 28: 148–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Geslin E, Stouff V, Debenay JP, Lesourd M. (2000) Environmental variation and foraminiferal test abnormalities. In: Martin RE (ed) Environmental Micropaleontology: The Application of Microfossils to Environmental Geology, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, pp 191–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Geslin E, Debenay J-P, Dulela W, Bonetti C (2002) Morphological abnormalities of foraminiferal tests in Brazilian environments: comparison between polluted and non-polluted areas. Marine Micropaleontology 45: 151–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hildebrand AR, Penfield GT, Kring D, Pilkington M, Camargo A, Jacobsen SB, Boynton W (1991) Chicxulub crater: A possible Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary impact crater on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Geology 19: 867–871

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller G (1989) Extended Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary extinctions and delayed population change in planktonic foraminifera from Brazos River, Texas. Paleoceanography 4: 287–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller G (1993) The Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary transition in the Antartic Ocean and its global implications. Marine Micropaleontology 12: 1–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller G (2001) The end-Cretaceous mass extinction in the marine realm: year 2000 assessment. Planetary and Space Science 49: 817–830

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller G (2002) Guembelitria-dominated late Maastrichtian planktic foraminiferal assemblages mimic early Danian in central Egypt. Marine Micropaleontology 47: 71–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller G (2003) Biotic effects of impacts and volcanism. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 215: 249–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller G, Barrera E, Schmitz B, Matsson E (1993) Gradual mass extinction, species survivorship, and long term environmental changes across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in high latitudes. Geological Society of America Bulletin 105: 979–997

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller G, Li L, MacLeod N (1995) The Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary stratotype section at El Kef, Tunisia: how catastrophic was the mass extinction?. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 119: 221–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller G, Adatte T, Stinnesbeck W, Stüben D, Kramar U, Berner Z, Li L, von Salis Perch-Nielsen K (1998) The Cretaceous-Tertiary transition on the shallow Saharan platform of southern Tunisia. Geobios 30: 951–975

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller G, Adatte T, Stinnesbeck W, Affolter M, Schilli L, Lopez-Oliva JG (2002a) Multiple spherule layers in the late Maastrichtian of northeastern Mexico. In: Koeberl C, MacLeod KG (eds), Catastrophic Events and Mass Extinctions: Impacts and Beyond, Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 356: 145–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller G, Adatte T, Stinnesbeck W, Luciani V, Karoui-Yaakoub N, Zaghbib-Turki D (2002b) Paleoecology of the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction in planktonic foraminifera. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 178: 257–297

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller G, Adatte T, Stinnesbeck W, Rebolledo-Vieyra M, Urrutia Fucugauchi J, Kramar U, Stüben D (2004) Chicxulub impact predates the K-T boundary mass extinction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101: 3753–3758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koeberl C, MacLeod KG (eds) (2002) Catastrophic Events and Mass Extinctions: Impacts and Beyond. Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 356, 746 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Koutsoukos EAM (1996) The Cretaceous-Tertiary in NE Brazil; high resolution event stratigraphy. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 68(2): 265–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Kroon D, Nederbragt AJ (1990) Ecology and Paleoecology of triserial planktic foraminifera. Marine Micropaleontology 16: 25–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu C, Olsson RK (1992) Evolutionary radiation of microperforate planktonic foraminifera following the K/T mass extinction event. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 22: 328–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Luciani V (l997) Planktonic foraminiferal turnover across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in the Vajont valley (Southern Alps, northern Italy). Cretaceous Research 18: 799–821

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luciani V (2002) High resolution planktonic foraminiferal analysis from the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary at Ain Settara (Tunisia): Evidence of an extended mass extinction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 178: 299–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morozova V.G. (1961) Datsko-Monskie Planktonye Foraminifery juga SSSR (Planktonic foraminifera from the Danian-Montian of the Southern Soviet Union). Akademia Nauk SSSR, Paleontologicheskiy Zhurnal 2: 8–19 (in russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsson RK (1970) Paleocene planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and Paleozoogeographic of New Jersey. Journal of Paleontology 44: 589–597

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsson RK, Liu C (1993) Controversies on the placement of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and the K/T mass extinction of planktonic foraminifera. Palaios 8: 127–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Pardo A, Keller G (1999) Aspectos paeoceanográficos y paleoecológicos del lÍmite Cretácico/Terciario en la peninsula de Mangyshlak (Kazakstán): inferencias a partir de foraminÍferos planctónicos. Revista Española de Micropaleontologia 31: 265–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Pardo A, Ortiz N, Keller G (1996) Latest Maastrichtian and K/T boundary foraminiferal turnover and environmental changes at Agost, Spain. In: MacLeod N, Keller G (eds), Biotic and Environmental Events across the Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary, Norton, New York, pp 139–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Pardo A, Adatte T, Keller G, Oberhänsli H (1999) Paleoenvironmental changes across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary at Koshak, Kazakhstan, based on planktic foraminifera and clay mineralogy. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 154: 247–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pope KO, Ocampo A, Duller D (1991) Mexican site for the K/T crater? Nature 351: 105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ravizza G, Peucker-Ehrenbrink B (2003) Chemostratigraphic evidence of Deccan volcanism from the marine osmium isotope record. Science 302: 1392–1395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rögl F, Salis Kv, Preisinger A, Aslanian S, Summesberger H (1996) Stratigraphy across the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary near Bjala, Bulgaria. Bulletin des Centres de Recherches Exploration-Production Elf Aquitaine, Mémoire 16: 673–683

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryder G, Fastovsky D, Gartner S (eds) (1996) The Cretaceous-Tertiary event and other catastrophes in earth history. Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 307, 569 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Samir AM (2000) The response of benthic foraminifera and ostracods to various pollution sources: a study from two lagoons in Egypt. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 30: 83–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar A, Bhattacharya SK, Shukla PN, Bhandaru N, Naidin D (1992) Highresolution profile of stable isotopes and iridium across a K/T boundary section from Kyzylsai Hill, Mangyslak, Kazakhstan. Terra Nova 5: 585–590

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpton V, Ward P (eds) (1990) Global catastrophes in earth history: An interdisciplinary conference on impacts, volcanism, and mass mortality. Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 247, 631 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Smit J (1982) Extinction and evolution of planktonic foraminifera after a major impact at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 190: 329–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Stouff V, Debenay JP, Lesourd M. (1999a) Origin of double and multiple tests in benthic foraminifera: observations in laboratory cultures. Marine Micropaleontology 36: 189–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stouff V, Geslin E, Debenay JP, Lesourd M (1999b) Origin of morphological abnormalities in Ammonia (foraminifera): studies in laboratory and natural environments. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 29: 152–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Swisher CC III, Grajales-Nishimura JM, Montanari A, Margolis SV, Claeys P, Alvarez W, Renne P, Cedilo-Pardo E, Maurrasse FJ-MR, Curtis GH, Smit J, McWilliams MO (1992) Coeval 40Ar/39Ar ages of 65.0 million years ago from Chicxulub crater melt rock and Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary tektites. Science 257: 954–958

    Google Scholar 

  • Toon OB, Zahnle K, Morrison D, Turco RP, Covey C (1997) Environmental perturbations caused by the impacts of asteroids and comets. Reviews of Geophysics 35: 41–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yanko V, Kronfeld J, Flexer A (1994) Response of benthic foraminifera to various pollution sources: implications for pollution monitoring. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 24: 1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yanko V, Ahmad M, Kaminski MA (1998) Morphological deformities of benthic foraminiferal tests in response to pollution by heavy metals: implications for pollution monitoring. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 28: 177–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Yanko V, Arnold A, Parker W (2000) Effects of marine pollution on benthic foraminifera. In: Sen Gupta BK (ed) Modern Foraminifera, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp 217–235

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Geologia e Centro di Geobiologia dell’Università “Carlo Bo”, Campus Scientifico, Località Crocicchia, 61029, Urbino, Italy

    Rodolfo Coccioni

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell’Università, Corso Ercole I d’Este, 32, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Valeria Luciani

Authors
  1. Rodolfo Coccioni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Valeria Luciani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK

    Charles Cockell  & Iain Gilmour  & 

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Christian Koeberl

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Coccioni, R., Luciani, V. (2006). Guembelitria irregularis Bloom at the K-T Boundary: Morphological Abnormalities Induced by Impact-related Extreme Environmental Stress?. In: Cockell, C., Gilmour, I., Koeberl, C. (eds) Biological Processes Associated with Impact Events. Impact Studies. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-25736-5_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation