Stratigraphy, environment and climate of the mid Cretaceous succession from the Arctic region (Baffin Bay)

The super greenhouse climate of the middle Cretaceous represents an analogue for an extreme CO₂ induced (run-away) climate system. In order to improve the understanding of how the high northern latitudes responded to the escalating middle Cretaceous warmth we analysed dinocysts, palynofacies, δ¹³C and various biomarker proxies through a unique mid Cretaceous succession from the northern Baffin Bay. Our study is based on a several sites that were cored during the IODP Expedition 344S.
The composite section represents a nearly complete Albian - Turonian succession deposited during the syn-rift phase separating Greenland from Canada/North America. Depositional environments range from anoxic outer shelf and pro-delta fringe to oxygen-restricted lower delta front. The organic geochemical proxies are focusing on the OAE 2 and will investigate changes in the sea surface temperature and water column oxygenation related with this event.