EPROAMA · Environmental changes and global recovery of primary producers after the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary (KPgB): A molecular fossil approach

Environmental changes and global recovery of primary producers after the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary (KPgB): A molecular fossil approach

I used this fellowship to study the environmental changes and global recovery of primary producers after the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary (K-Pg): A molecular fossil approach (EPROAMA). This fellowship was carried out at the University of Bristol (UoB-UK) under the supervision of Prof. Richard D. Pancost. The K-Pg (≈66.02 Ma ago). It represents the last of the five major mass extinctions in Earth´s history. Determining the nature of the associated rapid environmental change and biotic recovery is critical for understanding the cause and effects of this event, a key event in the history of life on our planet and potentially relevant for future biotic events. My results show, the non-fossilising phytoplankton community was impacted at K-Pg event, as was reflected in the source and character of organic matter reached the seafloor. But in addition, the recovery time of this community (algae, bacteria, and archaea.) was very different depended to the distant to the impact site (distal and proximal sections). 1 Objectives My EPROAMA proposal had the following specific research objectives, which were cut across 5 work packages (WP1-WP5): 1. Determine changes in algal organic matter (OM) inputs and their timing relative to the ejecta release and anoxia across the KPg section (Caracava) (WP3 and WP4). 2. Determine how long it took for pre-event distributions and conditions to return (WP3 and WP4). 3. Determine the carbon isotopic composition of n-alkanes (inferred to derive from leaf waxes), yielding one of the first and highest resolution terrestrial (atmospheric) records of carbon cycle disruption (WP4). 2. Explanation of the work carried per WP -WP1: Management. Deliverables (D1.1 and D.1.2) were performed. -WP2: Field work for sampling the Caravaca section from K-Pg. Deliverable D.2.1 was performed and a core from Caravaca section was recovery, but in addition, we also made another fieldtrip to take samples from other two outcrops located in USA. The Risk Management RM1 projected wasn't happened and the Milestone M1 was obtained perfectly. -WP3: Analysis of organic compounds from K-Pg in the Caravaca section. Deliverable D.3.1 was performed and all extraction and analyses from Caravaca samples were finished. In addition, we also analyzed the samples from the others USA K-Pg sections. The Risks Management RM2 and RM3 projected weren't happened and the Milestone M3 was performed. I wrote 3 papers, 1 was published and 2 are under revision. -WP4: Analysis of carbon isotopic composition of n-alkanes from Caravaca section. Deliverable D.4.1 was performed and all stable carbon isotopic composition on n-alkanes from Caravaca section and USA section were finished. The Risks Management RM2 and RM3 projected weren't happened and the Milestone M4 was in progress, I am writing 2 papers more. -WP5: Disseminations and communications. Deliverables D.5.1, D.5.2, D.5.5 D.5.6, D.5.7 and D5.8 were performed. D.5.3 I am working on it, I bought the dominion, and I am working in the design and content of the webpage, and D.5.4 wasn´t performed for technical problems. All lab work was carried out in the Organic Geochemistry Unit (OGU), based within the Schools of Earth Science and Chemistry at the UoB-UK,

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