The Paleocene–early Eocene interval is punctuated by a series of transient warming events known as hyperthermals that have been associated with changes in the carbon isotope composition of the ocean-atmosphere system. Here we present and discuss a detailed record of calcareous nannofossil and foraminiferal assemblages coupled with high-resolution geochemical, isotopic, and environmental magnetic records across the middle Ypresian at the Contessa Road section (Gubbio, Italy). This allows characterization of the Eocene Thermal Maximum 3 (ETM3, K or X) and recognition of four minor (I1, I2, J, L) hyperthermals. At the Contessa Road section, the ETM3 is marked by short-lived negative excursions in both δ 13 C and δ 18 O, pronounced changes in rock magnetic properties, and calcium carbonate reduction. These changes coupled with the moderate to low state of preservation of calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera, higher FI and agglutinated foraminifera values, along with a lower P/(P + B) ratio (P—planktonic; B—benthic) and coarse fractions provide evidence of enhanced carbonate dissolution during the ETM3. A marked shift toward warmer and more oligotrophic conditions has been inferred that suggests unstable and perturbed environmental conditions both in the photic zone and at the seafloor.

Abstract This work presents a detailed 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope curve for the 7.5–9.8 Ma time interval obtained by analyzing isotope compositions of the Orbulina universa planktonic foraminifer species from the Mediterranean Gibliscemi section (southern Sicily). The available astronomical tuning of the section provided the opportunity to assess a direct control of the Milankovitch climate cyclicity on the seawater Sr isotope changes. Results of spectral analysis suggest a linear forcing of the 400 ky eccentricity component on the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of the Mediterranean seawater. The recorded amplitude of Sr isotope 400 ky cycles ranges between ± 5.5 × 10 -5 and ± 6 × 10 -5 around the long-term trend for the Tortonian at global scale. Such a ∆ 87 Sr is of the same order of magnitude of that measured by Capo and DePaolo (1990) and Dia et al. (1991) for the Pleistocene 100 ky glacial-interglacial cycles and about two times larger than that reported for site 758 by Clemens et al. (1993) for the same periodic oscillations. Mass-balance calculations applied to our dataset suggest that periodic changes of about 100–150%in the riverine inputs can account for the amplitude oscillations of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios recorded in the Mediterranean during the Tortonian,thus emphasizing the high potential of this basin as good recorder of climate-induced seawater Sr isotope changes.

Abstract High-resolution cyclostratigraphy and calcareous plankton astrobiochronology have been obtained from the latest Langhian to the earliest Tortonian of the Mediterranean. The investigated areas (Malta, Tremiti, and Sicily) are located in different geological settings, and the three studied sections show different cyclicity. Direct correlation between the Laskar 90 (1.1) solution of the insolation curve and the sedimentary cycle pattern occurring in the investigated sections showed that all the sedimentary cycles are forced dominantly by Milankovitch periodicity. This forcing is also reflected in the climate-sensitive data (CaCO 3 content, and the relative abundance of the planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides ) as shown by the application of spectral and filtering analyses. The calibration provided astronomical ages for all the sedimentary cycles and bioevents recorded in the sections. In particular, an age of 13.59 Ma was obtained for the extinction level of Sphenolithus heteromorphus , which is the best event approximating the Langhian-Serravallian boundary and an age of 10.55 Ma for the first regular occurrence of Neogloboquadrina acostaensis , the event that better approximates the Serravallian-Tortonian boundary in the Tortonian type section.

Abstract Methodology of cyclostratigraphic analysis applied to benthic foraminifera is verified utilizing a faunal and geochemical dataset,from the Middle Miocene Ras il-Pellegrin composite section (Malta Island, central Mediterranean). Benthic data were elaborated by Q-mode varimax principal factor analysis. In this paper, spectral analysis is carried out only on two factors, which have a clear paleoecological significance: Factor 1 (loaded by Cibicidoides ungerianus and Siphonina reticulata ), indicative of oxic bottom waters, and Factor 2 (loaded by Bulimina elongata group), indicative of oxygen-stressed conditions. Results of these analyses show that Factor 1 and Factor 2 curves are,respectively, in and out of phase with maxima of the eccentricity (100 d 400 ky). We utilize the 3D paleocenographic model of Bellanca et al. (2002) as reference for the Middle Miocene Mediterranean circulation and focus our attention on the Mediterranean Intermediate water, characterized by hydrographic and hydrodynamic features similar to those presently recorded in the Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW). Consequently, we suppose that Middle Miocene Mediterranean Intermediate Water, here defined as proto-MIW, played a role similar to that of present Mediterranean Intermediate Water (MIW). Following this hypothesis, Factor 1, which is indicative of oxic bottom waters, is interpreted as a tracer of high production of proto-MIW, during periods of high eccentricity and, probably, precession minima, characterized by coldest winter seasons. These results point out a direct link between selected benthic species, long-term astronomical forcing, and deep-water response and provide a useful tool for astronomical calibration of geologic time and for paleoceanographic reconstructions.