Correlation of biostratigraphic and stable isotope events in the Aptian historical stratotype of La Bedoule (southeast France)

A high resolution carbonate carbon-isotope stratigraphy is established on b ulk carbonates from the type locality of the Lower Aptian (= Bedoulian). Th is exceptionally expanded series permitted us to recognize two marked posit ive delta(13)C excursions. Correlation with the biostratigraphic data shows that the fi rst excursion commences im mediately after the Barremian-Aptia n boundary and reaches maximum values within the Early Bedoulian. A second, more significant, positive shift begins in the middle part of the Late Bed oulian and reaches its maximum near the end of the Late Bedoulian. Already known from other pelagic Tethyan sites and even from the Pacific Ocean, thi s Upper Bedoulian excursion is regarded as global. The lower shift seems to be only recorded in sections with high carbonate accumulation rates such a s La Bedoule and may fall into a strongly condensed interval or hiatus with in the previously studied sections. ((C) Academie des sciences / Elsevier, Paris.).