[en] In Upper Cretaceous chalk sequences, the widespread occurrence of flint, as well as a possible astronomical pacing of their often-encountered rhythmic distribution, remains poorly constrained. The Campanian-Maastrichtian Hallembaye chalk succession (Maastrichtian type area, northeast Belgium) is characterized by the gradual evolution from no flint bands at its base to the regular presence of well-developed flint bands at its top. Here, the Hallembaye section is investigated to gain more insights into the underlying processes behind flint inception. A relationship is found between the amount of detrital material (i.e., clays) present in the chalk and flints, and the extent of silicification and flint development. Several astronomical cycles are identified within the succession using both a lithology-based flint proxy and high-resolution μXRF-based element data from chalk samples. A combined imprint of precession and obliquity is documented in the chalk Ti/Al profile. The flint bands display a predominant obliquity imprint with an increasing contribution of precession and eccentricity up-section. Two consistent stratigraphically integrated astronomical age models are preferred. The first model is a floating age model that is based on the minimal tuning of the short obliquity cycle in the Ti/Al signal. The second model is a numerical age model that is based on flint occurrences, tuned to a combined tuning target consisting of both the inclination and long eccentricity metronomes. Temporal variations in the hydrological cycle and consequent changes in eolian, fluvial and dissolved Si input to the European Basin appear astronomically controlled. In addition, flint nodules and bands are paced by Milankovitch timescales, reflecting astronomical control on the Si cycle and paleoenvironmental conditions governing conditions favorable towards flint formation.
Sinnesael, Matthias; Archaeology, Environmental Changes & Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium ; Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Vellekoop, Johan; Biogeology & Paleoclimatology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ; OD Earth and History of Life, Institute for Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
Van der Geest, Hannah; Biogeology & Paleoclimatology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Jagt, John W.M.; Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands
BELSPO - Belgian Federal Science Policy Office F.R.S.-FNRS - Fund for Scientific Research FWO - Research Foundation Flanders VUB - Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Funding text :
Jarno Huygh acknowledges the grant T.0037.22 \u2013 PDR from the Belgian national science foundation (FNRS) and the IAS Judith McKenzie Field Work Award, obtained as support for the MSc dissertation of which this paper is the result.Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) and the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) provided financial support for this study, through FWO grants 1E6621N, W000522N and 12Z6621N and BELSPO grant Prf-2020-038, but they were not involved in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the article for publication.We thank Kreco BV for providing access to the Hallembaye quarry. We greatly appreciate the help of Anthonie Hellemond, Kevin Nolis, Flore van Maldeghem, Michiel Arts, Anne-Christine da Silva, Sander Hilgen, Monika Doubrawa, Alexander Clark, Iris Vancoppenolle, Joep Schaeffer, and Eric Nieuwenhuis for their help during the sampling campaigns as part of the Maastrichtian Geoheritage Project. Igor de Smedt, Mauri Rosiers, Houceine El Mir, Tom Clarys, Jochen Pedro Eeckhoudt, Kiano Gorissen, Tom Gaston Hamelryck and Robin Francotte are thanked for sample preparation. Anne-Christine da Silva is specifically acknowledged for providing feedback on an early draft version of this manuscript, general advice and funding the writing of this report. Michiel Arts is gratefully acknowledged for many insightful discussions and for providing invaluable advice and critical feedback on proxy phase relationships and astronomical forcing. We thank the editor, and Sietske Batenburg and 2 anonymous reviewers, for their detailed analysis, corrections and constructive feedback that greatly improved the quality of this work. Jarno Huygh acknowledges the grant T.0037.22 \u2013 PDR from the Belgian national science foundation (FNRS) and the IAS Judith McKenzie Field Work Award, obtained as support for the MSc dissertation of which this paper is the result. Pim Kaskes thanks Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) PhD Fellowship 11E6621N for support. Johan Vellekoop Thanks FWO postdoctoral fellowship 12Z6621N and BELSPO FED-tWIN project Prf-2020-038 (MicroPAST) for support. Philippe Claeys thanks the FWO - Hercules Program for financing the \u03BCXRF instrument at the VUB and the VUB Strategic Program for support. We acknowledge support by the CycloNet Project, funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO; grant no. W000522N).Pim Kaskes thanks Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) PhD Fellowship 11E6621N for support. Johan Vellekoop Thanks FWO postdoctoral fellowship 12Z6621N and BELSPO FED-tWIN project Prf-2020-038 (MicroPAST) for support. Philippe Claeys thanks the FWO - Hercules Program for financing the \u03BCXRF instrument at the VUB and the VUB Strategic Program for support. We acknowledge support by the CycloNet Project , funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO; grant no. W000522N ).Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) and the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) provided financial support for this study, through FWO grants 1E6621N , W000522N and 12Z6621N and BELSPO grant Prf-2020-038 , but they were not involved in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the article for publication. Union Anti-Fraud Programme - Hercule component
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