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The isotopic composition of Cd buried in marine sediments may preserve valuable palaeoenvironmental information on past ocean redox conditions or biological cycling. It is unclear, however, how the Cd-isotope composition of the sedimentary record reflects these processes. In this study, new Cd-isotope data are presented, along with δ13C, and Cd, Mo and TOC concentrations, from organic-rich mudrocks from the southern Western Interior Seaway (WIS), spanning the Cenomanian–Turonian stages within the Eagle Ford Group of the Maverick Basin, Texas, USA. Relationships between [Cd/TOC], δ114Cd, and MoEF indicate that sedimentary Cd was derived from organic matter with additional contributions from CdS formed in euxinic water masses. Local redox conditions exerted a primary control on the δ114Cd composition of these deposits, with high δ114Cd values attributed to near-quantitative removal from seawater in euxinic environments. Lower δ114Cd values in non-euxinic environments may reflect isotopically light Cd associated with organic material due to partial remineralization. These observations imply that δ114Cd values of samples deposited in demonstrably euxinic conditions may be used to constrain the δ114Cdseawater coming into the Maverick Basin at this time and give a composition of 0.28 ± 0.11‰ (2 SD) for the Early Cenomanian. Samples from an interval of peak-organic carbon burial globally, namely Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2), show anomalous δ114Cd and [Cd] patterns compared to the rest of the data, implying a perturbation to the dissolved Cd pool. The data presented in this study demonstrate that sedimentary Cd isotopes preserve valuable information on the extent of Cd burial into sulfide-bearing sediments at both local and global scales.

Intervals of extreme warmth are predicted to drive a decrease in the oxygen content of the oceans. This prediction has been tested for the acme of short (

We present the first multiple sulfur isotope study (32S, 33S, 34S, 36S) of bulk kerogen sulfur (KS) and disulfides (‘chromium-reducible sulfur’, CRS) from the oil shale of the Umm Rijam Chert-Limestone and Muwaqqar Chalk Marl Formation, Jordan (Late Cretaceous to Early Eocene, appr. 50–70 Ma). Analysis of the sulfur isotopic composition of KS (δ34SKS) shows values ranging from 0.3 to 17.9‰, which are 34S-enriched compared to the δ34SCRS ranging from −23.5 to −3.7‰. Values for CRS and KS are significantly 34S-depleted compared to seawater sulfate sulfur which suggests a major input of early-diagenetic, microbially-generated sulfide. A minor contribution of assimilated seawater sulfate to KS is assumed. The 34S-enrichment of KS compared to CRS can be partly explained by (1) sulfide oxidation to intermediate sulfur species prior to its incorporation into organic material, by (2) fractionations during organic sulfur generation, as well as by (3) a post-depositional timing of formation. Additionally, we hypothesize, based on parallel depth trends of maturity parameters (e.g., vitrinite reflectance) and δ34SCRS and δ34SKS values, that the sulfur isotopic compositions were influenced by thermal maturation (catagenesis). We suggest that the CRS pool comprises a contribution of sulfide released during the thermal decomposition of KS. Overall, our study highlights the importance of organic sulfur in sulfur isotopic studies and the potential of multiple sulfur isotope analyses in maturated sedimentary successions.

Noble gases have become a powerful tool to constrain the origin of fluids as well as the rates of fluid migration in sedimentary basins. The aim of this study was to apply these tracers to understand the genesis and the evolution of unconventional gas reservoirs, basin-centered gas reservoirs (also called tight-gas reservoirs). A natural laboratory for this study is the methane-rich gas field in Cretaceous tight sands from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). The selection of the WCSB was motivated by an easy access to wells that cover an extensive area from deep to shallow parts of the basin, as well as the relatively well documented geology and hydrology of the area. The elemental noble gas signature (He, Ar, Kr and Xe) of natural gas from 18 wells of the basin shows a mixture between the original low content noble gas signature of the hydrocarbon gas (after its charge into the reservoir) and water (trapped in intergranular volumes (IGV)), which is comparatively rich in noble gases. This difference in relative contents can be used to estimate the geographical position of the contact between the gas reservoir and the shallower IGV water. Furthermore, the ‘original’ noble gas signature, which is defined as the noble gases generated in the source, later transferred, and mixed with in situ produced noble gases in the reservoir, is mainly composed of radiogenic isotopes (40Ar and 4He). The comparison of 4He/40Ar ratios with an average value for potential source rocks and reservoir rocks production ratio (estimated with U, Th and K concentrations) allows us to understand how the gas was transferred from the source rock to the reservoir rock. These results, combined with the geological and hydrological knowledge of the WCSB, affords a new method to better understand the dynamics of unconventional gas reservoirs.

Molybdenum (Mo)-isotope chemostratigraphy of organic-rich mudrocks has been a valuable tool for testing the hypothesis that the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE, Early Jurassic, ~183 Ma) was characterized by the spread of marine euxinia (and organic-matter burial) at a global scale. However, the interpretation of existing Mo-isotope data for the T-OAE (from Yorkshire, Cleveland Basin, U.K.) is equivocal. In this study, three new Mo-isotope profiles are presented: from Dotternhausen Quarry (South German Basin, Germany), the Rijswijk core (West Netherlands Basin, Netherlands) and the Dogna core (Belluno Basin, northern Italy). Precise bio- and chemo34 stratigraphic correlation between the three sites allows a direct comparison of the data, enabling some key conclusions to be reached: (i) The Mo-isotope composition of seawater during the peak of the T-OAE was probably close to ~1.45 ‰, implicating a greater removal flux of sulphides from seawater, and a larger extent of global seafloor euxinia compared to the present day; (ii) Moisotope cycles previously identified in the Yorkshire sedimentary succession are attributed to changes in the degree of local 39 Mo drawdown from overlying Cleveland Basin seawater; (iii) The consistency of the new multi-site Mo-isotope dataset indicates a secular reduction in the burial of sulphides globally in the late stages of the T-OAE, implying a contraction in the extent of global marine euxinia; (iv) Subtle differences in the Mo-isotope composition of deposits formed in different euxinic sub-basins of the European epicontinental shelf were probably governed by local variations in basin hydrography and rates of water renewal

The concentrations and isotopic compositions of molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in organic-rich marine mudrocks may be used to characterize ocean chemistry in the geological past. These approaches rely on the rarely tested assumption that the geochemical signatures of these metals are not affected by the thermal maturation of the organic matter with which they are associated. We have conducted a series of artificial maturation experiments on two well-known immature organic-rich mudrocks, the Kimmeridge Blackstone Band (Late Jurassic age), and the Posidonia Shale (Early Jurassic age). These pyrolysis experiments allow us to trace changes in the composition of organic matter through varying stages of maturation, and the concentration and isotopic compositions of metals in rock residues and evolved organic fluids. Our results indicate that the thermal maturation of organic matter does not result in significant alteration of the isotopic compositions of Mo, Zn and Cd in the rock residues, which thus retain primary palaeodepositional information. Systematic increases in the concentrations of Mo, Zn and Cd in rock residues with progressively higher thermal maturity are attributed to the loss of substrate mass in the form of fluids released during pyrolysis-induced cracking of kerogen, and to the relatively low concentrations of Mo, Zn and Cd in these fluids. The Mo-isotope compositions of fluids produced during pyrolysis are isotopically similar to the bulk rock; in contrast the isotopic composition of Zn in organic fluids is ∼0.4–0.6‰ lighter than the bulk rock. The progressive loss of organic matter from rock residues during maturation coupled with the increases in metal concentrations leads to an increase of metal/TOC ratios, which may be up to double their original (syn-depositional) value in thermally mature rocks. This observation must be taken into account when using metal/TOC ratios as proxies for oceanic metal inventories throughout geological time. Finally, calculations using the mass of asphaltenes recovered during the pyrolysis experiments suggest that organically bound Mo, Zn and Cd account for several percent of the total rock metal inventory.

Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (Cenomanian–Turonian: ca 94 Ma) represents a major palaeoceanographic phenomenon that took place during an interval of extreme global warmth when large amounts of organic matter entered the marine burial record, probably triggered by increased availability of nutrients for planktonic biota. Three sections (Eastbourne, Sussex, UK; Raia del Pedale, Campania, Italy; and Tarfaya, Morocco) recording this event illustrate the influence on marine geochemistry of mafic volcanic rock-seawater interaction, anoxia to euxinia, and re-oxygenation and cooling during the so-called ‘Plenus Cold Event’. The Eastbourne section represents the organic-lean epicontinental pelagic deposits of the English Chalk; the Raia del Pedale section represents a shallow-water platform carbonate on the Tethyan continental margin, also largely devoid of organic matter; and the Tarfaya core represents an Atlantic margin site where cyclically bedded organic-rich sediments were well developed. Correlation between all three sections is readily achieved by biostratigraphy and carbon-isotope stratigraphy (δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg) over the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 interval, represented by a characteristic broad positive carbon-isotope excursion. The stratigraphic range of the Plenus Cold Event, defined by the presence, in two discrete levels, of boreal fauna and an excursion to heavier oxygen-isotope values in the English Chalk, can be identified in Raia del Pedale and Tarfaya by using the carbon-isotope curve as a correlative tool. Similarly, a section in southern France allows its co-existing osmium-isotope excursion to relatively unradiogenic values to be placed in the context of the Oceanic Anoxic Event in all three analysed sections. A fall to lower osmium-isotope values clearly pre-dated the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2, as defined by the initial rise in carbon-isotope values, allowing the putative magmatic/mafic event as a trigger for the Oceanic Anoxic Event. An initial drop in sulphur-isotope ratios (δ34SCAS) at Eastbourne correlates with the osmium-isotope curve, suggesting that isotopically light sulphur could have been derived from a mafic igneous source. Re-oxygenation of sediments of all three investigated sections during the Plenus Cold Event is variably illustrated by change in cerium:calcium, iodine:calcium, molybedenum:calcium and uranium:calcium ratios, according to the redox behaviour of the elements in question and whether controls on seawater chemistry were local or global in nature. Changes in molybdenum-isotope ratios from Tarfaya and portions of the sulphur-isotope curve from Eastbourne and Raia del Pedale also indicate the probable presence of more oxygen-rich bottom waters during the Plenus Cold Event. Oxidation by such waters of previously deposited organic-rich shales, as well as loss of anoxic/euxinic sinks, is credited with temporarily enriching global seawater in a range of other redox-sensitive trace metals (for example, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd) during ongoing basalt-seawater interaction indicated by persistent relatively non-radiogenic osmium-isotope seawater values. However, early diagenetic enrichment of manganese in the English Chalk over much of the Oceanic Anoxic Event interval is broadly correlative in time with relatively low osmium-isotope values in sections elsewhere: a relationship that may be due to the lack of affinity of manganese with carbon-rich shales, hence allowing relatively elevated concentrations of the element in marine waters to persist during leaching of mafic rocks, unlike other redox-sensitive species. The calcium-isotope and lithium-isotope ratios from Eastbourne and Raia del Pedale indicate an increase in global weathering during the initial phase of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2, and the shift in strontium isotopes and osmium isotopes to more unradiogenic values during the event suggests that not only construction but also destruction of one or more Large Igneous Provinces was probably a proximal cause of this major palaeoceanographic phenomenon by elevating nutrient levels and planktonic productivity in large tracts of the world ocean. Globally widespread carbon burial and silicate weathering are both identified as important mechanisms for drawing down atmospheric carbon dioxide that, in the absence of overwhelming volcanogenic replenishment of this greenhouse gas during the early phase of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2, caused the Plenus Cold Event.

Despite its assumed global nature, there are very few detailed stratigraphic records of the late Cenomanian to the early Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 from the Southern Hemisphere. A highly resolved record of environmental changes across the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary interval is presented from Ocean Drilling Program Site 1138 on the central Kerguelen Plateau (southern Indian Ocean). The new data lead to three key observations. Firstly, detailed biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy indicate that the record of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 is not complete, with a hiatus spanning the onset of the event. A decrease in glauconite and highly weathered clays after the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 marks the end of the hiatus interval, which can be explained by a relative sea-level rise that increased sediment accommodation space on the Kerguelen Plateau margin. This change in depositional environment controlled the timing of the delayed peak in organic-matter burial during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 at Site 1138 compared with other Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 locations worldwide. A second key observation is the presence of cyclic fluctuations in the quantity and composition of organic matter being buried on the central Kerguelen Plateau throughout the latter stages of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 and the early Turonian. A close correspondence between organic matter, sedimentary elemental compositions and sediments recording sea-floor oxygenation suggests that the cycles were mainly productivity-driven phenomena. Available age-control points constrain the periodicity of the coupled changes in sedimentary parameters to ca 15 to 50 ka, suggesting a link between carbon burial and astronomically forced climatic variations (precession or obliquity) in the Southern Hemisphere mid-latitudes both during, and after, Oceanic Anoxic Event 2: fluctuations that were superimposed on the impact of global-scale processes. Finally, trace-metal data from the non-sulphidic black shale unit at Site 1138 provide the first evidence from outside of the proto-North Atlantic region for a global drawdown of seawater trace-metal (Mo) inventories during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

It is well established that the burial of organic carbon in marine sediments increased dramatically at a global scale at the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary (Oceanic Anoxic Event 2: OAE-2, ∼94 Myr ago, Late Cretaceous). Many localities containing chemostratigraphic expressions of this event are not, however, enriched in organic carbon, and point to a heterogeneous set of oceanographic and environmental processes operating in different ocean basins. These processes are difficult to reconstruct because of the uneven geographical distribution of sites recording OAE-2, thus limiting our understanding of the causes and palaeoceanographic consequences of the environmental changes that occurred at this time. A new, highly resolved molybdenum-isotope dataset is presented from the Cape Verde Basin (southern proto-North Atlantic Ocean) and a lower resolution record from the Tarfaya Basin, Morocco. The new data reveal periodic oscillations in the Mo-isotope composition of proto-North Atlantic Ocean sediments, from which coupled changes in the dissolved sulphide concentration and Mo inventories of the basin seawater can be inferred. The cyclic variations in sedimentary Mo-isotope compositions can be hypothetically linked to regional changes in the depth of the chemocline, and in the rate of seawater exchange between basinal waters and global seawater. The new data suggest that a global seawater Mo-isotope composition of ∼1.2‰ was reached very soon after the onset of OAE-2, implying a rapid expansion of marine deoxygenation coeval with, or slightly preceding, enhanced global rates of organic-carbon burial. During OAE-2, the modelled flux of Mo into anoxic sediments is likely to have been ∼60–125 times greater than at the present day, although the spatial extent of anoxia is unlikely to have been greater than 10% of the total seafloor.

Widespread deposition of organic-rich shales during the Late Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2, ca. 94 Ma) occurred during a period of significant global paleo-environmental and geochemical change. It has been proposed that an increase in nutrient input to the ocean during OAE 2 was the key mechanism that generated and sustained high rates of organic-matter burial over time scales of 103–105 yr. Zinc is a bio-essential micronutrient and the proportion of Zn burial in oxic sediments relative to burial in organic-rich continental margin sediments is reflected in its seawater isotope composition. The first Zn-isotope records dating from the Cretaceous are presented here from three coeval carbonate successions: two from Europe (southern England and southern Italy) and one from southern Mexico. The new data show reproducible stratigraphic Zn-isotope patterns in spatially and lithologically diverse carbonate successions. Excursions to lower Zn-isotope values may be linked to the input of magmatic Zn, changes in the proportion of Zn burial into organic-rich sediments, and the liberation of previously buried Zn during an episode of widespread seafloor re-oxygenation during OAE 2 (the Plenus Cold Event).

Large distance correlation of sedimentary organic rich facies units in Jordan has been established by means of calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. Based on a biostratigraphic framework, a better understanding of the deposition and distribution of Maastrichtian to Eocene oil shales is obtained. A total of 812 samples representing 29 wells located across Jordan were studied for calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. The results reveal major regional changes in paleogeography leading to a change in oil shales distribution in time. The tectonic settings have been determined for four different oil shale sequences of Maastrichtian, Paleocene, Early Eocene and Middle Eocene age. Large variations in thickness over short distances indicate syndepositional subsidence control in several fault bound sedimentary sub-basins. During the Early Maastrichtian transgression, a thick oil shale dominated succession was accumulated in the south of Jordan. This transgression continued into the Paleocene as represented by a thick sequence of oil shales in nannofossil Zone NP 3. In the Late Paleocene, the gradual progradation of the oil shale facies from south to north coincided with an uplift of the Sirhan Sub-basin in east Jordan. Accordingly, the oil shale distribution varies locally and shows a scattered geographic distribution in the Late Paleocene. An up to 60 m thick succession of Early Eocene oil shales was found in central Jordan. Localized restricted conditions, which prevailed during the Ypresian–Lutetian transition (nannofossil Zone NP 14), were caused by the subsidence of the Azraq-Hamza and Sirhan sub-basins. These movements resulted in thick oil shale accumulation in the southeastern and central parts of Jordan. A gradual relative sea level fall during the Bartonian resulted in a prograding and thinning of the oil shale facies from west to east in central Jordan.

Sediment petrographic studies combined with carbon and oxygen stable-isotope analyses are considered to be powerful tools in deciphering the depositional and diagenetic history of carbonate rocks. These studies have been found valuable for understanding the environmental controls and global changes of climate and oceanography. Two cores of Eocene bituminous marls (OS-22 and OS-23) from central Jordan with thicknesses of 222.4 m and 256.3 m, respectively, were logged. A total of 103 thin sections were analyzed for sediment petrographic investigations. Another 295 bulk rock samples from Core OS-23 were selected for stable-isotope analysis (δ13C, δ18O). The two cores show similar lithologic variations that correspond to third-order sea-level changes. The sediment petrographic study reveals the presence of six major microfacies that range from mudstones to grainstones. The distribution of these six types of microfacies in the two cores indicates an overall shallow-marine environment in an interior carbonate-platform setting. Within this environment, conditions fluctuated between open and restricted marine. The stratigraphic variability of the carbon-isotope data of Core OS-23 reflects a highly dynamic depositional system that exhibits a variable rate of organic matter accumulation in the sediments, which can be directly linked to the interaction between primary organic-matter burial and oxidative weathering of reworked organic matter. Within the overall diagenetically controlled δ18Ocarb profile an excursion is observed for a specifically enriched organic matter interval. This excursion is believed to coincide with the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO), suggesting that next to seawater, porewaters were influenced by this event and making it the first record of this event in the region.

Reworked microfossils, common in Paleogene sediments in Jordan, are here used to reconstruct the depositional environment. The reworked taxa, which include both calcareous nannofossils and foraminifera of Cretaceous and Paleocene age, were found in Eocene oil shales. The potential provenance of the reworked material and the underlying processes of the reworking are discussed. We differentiate between a subaerial erosion of exposed hinterland strata and a submarine abrasion of sediments. A total of 73 smear slides have been prepared to identify calcareous nannofossils, another fifteen samples were analyzed for foraminifera. The allochthonous calcareous nannofossil and foraminifera taxa can be linked to a lithified source, which was eroded and transported with both calcitic lithic fragments and organic matter. Multiple factors controlling the transport of the reworked taxa during the time of deposition have been investigated for the Jordanian oil shales. Climate changes are thought to be the cause for changes in the abundance patterns and in the composition of the reworked taxa. The input of common autochthonous components during arid phases and more allochthonous sediment particles during humid periods filled the Eocene sink. A fall in relative sea level, perhaps in combination with increased storm activity, caused a transport of reworked material to deeper parts of the Azraq Hamza Sub-basin. The relative sea level changes in turn were related to syndepositional movements, redefining the shape of the Azraq Hamza Sub-basin and its internal fault-block architecture.

Three Si isotope materials have been used for an inter-laboratory comparison exercise to ensure reproducibility between international laboratories investigating natural Si isotope variations using a variety of chemical preparation methods and mass spectrometric techniques. These proposed standard reference materials are (i) IRMM-018 (a SiO2 standard), (ii) Big-Batch (a fractionated SiO2 material prepared at the University of California Santa Barbara), and (iii) Diatomite (a natural diatomite sample originally deposited as marine biogenic opal). All analyses are compared with the international Si standard NBS28 (RM8546) and are in reasonable agreement (

A recent molybdenum-isotope estimate of the extent of anoxic and euxinic conditions in the world ocean during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (~94 Ma) concluded by discussing a contrast between the new results with existing estimates of marine euxinia based on sulphur isotopes. This suggested contrast was erroneous; when areal extents of marine anoxia and euxinia are calculated for both isotopic proxies, the agreement is actually striking, and highlights the fact that large areas of the global ocean probably remained well ventilated during this event.

Silicon isotope ratios (28Si, 29Si and 30Si) can be measured with high precision by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (MC-ICP-MS). However, the problematic extraction of silicon from geological materials has been a major disadvantage in previous silicon isotope studies with conventional gas source mass spectrometry, whereas available silicon isotope results obtained by MC-ICP-MS techniques have been mainly restricted to waters and high purity silica. We show here that high yields of silicon (>97%) can be achieved from samples ranging from pure silica to basaltic compositions (45–52 wt.% SiO2) via a three-step digestion and purification procedure. Silicon isotope measurements, performed with a Finnigan Neptune MC-ICP-MS used in medium-resolution mode (resolving power: 2500), indicate that polyatomic interferences can be resolved and that both δ29Si and δ30Si can be determined with high accuracy and precision on interference-free peak plateaux in the mass spectrum. Instrumental blanks (20–65 mV) were reduced to acceptable values with a Cetac Aridus desolvating device fitted with a sapphire injector in the torch. Sensitivity in medium-resolution mode is in the range of ∼6 V per μg g−1 for 28Si. δ29Si and δ30Si have been determined for silicon isotope standards IRMM-018 (δ30Si = −1.75‰), IRMM-018-76 (δ30Si = −1.42‰), Diatomite (δ30Si = 1.34‰) and Big Batch (δ30Si = −10.52‰), for USGS standards BHVO-2 (δ30Si = −0.09‰) and AGV-2 (δ30Si = −0.01‰), and for Aldrich pure silica powder (δ30Si = −0.32‰). Precision on δ30Si is 0.18–0.41‰ (2 s.d.). Our combined procedure for sample preparation followed by high-resolution MC-ICP-MS analysis facilitates straightforward and safe measurement of silicon isotope ratios in silicate materials.

Sample preparation methods for MC-ICP-MS silicon-isotope measurements often involve a cation-exchange purification step. A previous study has argued that this would suffice for geological materials, as the occasional enrichment of anionic species would not compromise silicon-isotope analysis. Here we report significant offsets in MC-ICP-MS silicon-isotope measurements induced by the presence of sulfur. We show that offsets in δ30Si become significant above SO4/Si ratios (wt.) of 0.02, reaching up to ca. +1.4‰ at SO4/Si ratios above ∼0.2. This finding is particularly relevant for studies of sulfur-rich waters and silicified rocks where alteration was accompanied by sulfur-enrichments. We propose an additional purification step to remove sulfur from solid sample material.

Cretaceous and Paleogene marls, rich in total organic carbon, are widespread throughout Jordan and adjoining areas. Based on planktonic foraminifera these oil shales have been assigned a late Campanian–Paleocene age in previous studies. For the current analysis a total of 283 smear slides from five wells in central Jordan have been investigated for calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. Findings suggest a much more differentiated age model of the oil shales than previously proposed. The oil shales studied contain abundant calcareous nannofossil taxa of Eocene age along with varying abundances of Maastrichtian and Paleocene taxa. The encountered marker species Rhomboaster cuspis, Tribrachiatus bramlettei, Tribrachiatus orthostylus, Discoaster lodoensis, Coccolithus crassus, Discoaster sublodoensis, Nannotetrina quadrata, Reticulofenestra umbilicus and Chiasmolithus solitus, indicate an Early to Middle Eocene age, while the presence of Maastrichtian and Paleocene forms suggests major reworking. The presence of Cretaceous taxa reflects either subaerial erosive input from the hinterland or submarine reworking of Cretaceous strata within the basin. The highly variable amount of reworked material and associated deposition rates in the basin may represent changes in the tectonic setting during the Eocene. We propose that the high abundances of Cretaceous and Paleocene taxa reflect an increase in accommodation space by active graben flank movements. A dominance of Eocene taxa, on the other hand, indicates either periods of little accommodation space due to graben infill or inversion-type movements of the graben itself. In any case, the youngest Eocene and autochthonous taxa represent shallower or low topography graben phases.