Spatial heterogeneity in isotope and biomarker distributions : insights from the End-Devonian OAE in Western Canada.

The availability of essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace elements, fundamentally influences biological production. This is especially critical in tropical regions where stable thermal stratification in the water column is periodically disrupted by surface ocean current divergence experience upwelling, where deep, nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface, supporting high primary productivity. This comprehensive study of carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition, biomarker distribution, and trace element geochemistry across the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) delves into the complex interactions between nutrient cycling, primary productivity, and organic matter preservation in marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on the Late Devonian period, where similar perturbations of nutrient cycles led to the deposition of organic-rich rock units known as "black shales." Stratigraphic sections of black laminated and burrowed mudrock interspersed with siltstones and carbonaceous shales capture changes in paleoredox conditions, water depth, and tectonism over time. Overall, this research contributes to our current understanding of nutrient dynamics and across an ancient anoxic shallow marine basin and factors influencing preservation of biomarkers in the sediment record.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Dhar, Sanjukta, 1993-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fulton, James M.

• Devonian.
• Ocean anoxia.
• Nitrogen cycling.
• Trace element.
• Thermal maturity.
• Spatial variability.
• Porphyrins.
• Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.
• Exshaw formation.
• Upwelling.
• Paleoenvironment.
• Primary productivity.
• Compound-specific nitrogen isotope.
• Liquid chromatography.
• Ocean anoxic events (OAE)

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13942

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13942