Palynofloral change across Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 in the Iberian Basin, Spain

The Cenomanian–Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE2; ~94.5 million years ago) represents an episode of global-scale marine anoxia and biotic turnover, which corresponds to one of the warmest time intervals in the Phanerozoic. Despite its global significance, information on the dynamics of continental ecosystems during this greenhouse episode is scarce. Here we present a terrestrial palynological record combined with chemostratigraphic data from an expanded marine OAE2 section from the Iberian Basin, Central Spain. Carbon isotope records of carbonate and organic carbon from two nearby sections show the characteristic positive CIE (carbon isotope excursion) associated with OAE2 and, together with ammonite finds, facilitate the construction of a stratigraphically well-constrained composite record. The spore-pollen assemblage is dominated by non-saccate gymnosperm (Classopollis, Araucariacites, Inaperturopollenites) and angiosperm pollen (mainly representatives of the Normapolles group incl. Atlantopollis and Complexiopollis), with pteridophyte spores being quantitatively less abundant. With stratigraphic height, the spore-pollen assemblage shows distinct changes in frequency distribution including a distinct rise in the angiosperm pollen Atlantopollis within an interval assigned to the Plenus Cold Event. In contrast, a pronounced increase in Classopollis reaching >50% of the total palynoflora parallels the 2nd peak of the CIE and is followed by an abrupt decline. These palynofloral changes indicate changing proportions of arborescent conifer forests and more open, non-arborescent, angiosperm-rich vegetation. Despite the exceptional warmth associated with OAE2, the continental hinterland bordering the Iberian seaway did support a diverse vegetation, adapted to persist under elevated temperatures. Fluctuations in spore-pollen frequency distribution are considered to reflect significant climatic changes over the course of OAE2 controlled ultimately by the interplay of large-scale magmatic activity and enhanced organic carbon burial.