The late Ordovician carbonate sedimentation as a major triggering factor of the Hirnantian glaciation

A new approach explaining the main forcing factor of Hirnantian glaciation is proposed herein. It follows the models associating occurrences of continental glaciations, with periods of low atmospheric CO2 levels. The accumulation of great volumes of carbonates during pre-Hirnantian late Ordovician, in regions x here these deposits were previously absent, is suggested as a major sink of atmospheric CO2. This would have caused an important lowering of the average temperature in the early Hirnantian, after CO2 values had attained a certain threshold. This process was maintained by other positive feedbacks. such as the short-term carbonate weathering CO2 sink. An increase of the direct flux Of CO2 from the atmosphere to the oceans by means of dissolution would have been driven by the enhancement of carbonate deposition. The great inundation of the low latitude Laurentia craton during Cincinnatian times and the establishment of a temperate-ater carbonate sedimentation on the North Gondwana margin during pre-Hirnantian Ashgill allowed the burying of more than 840 x 10(15) kg (1.9 x 10(19) mol) of dissolved CO2. This mass is equivalent to nearly 350 times the present values of atmospheric CO2. This is important enough to have greatly altered the equilibrium between the CO2 dissolved in the oceans and the partial pressure of CO2 in the air, eventually causing an important reduction of the latter. The nev. model also offers a simple explanation for the end of the glaciation after a short time-span. Glacioeustatic lowering of the sea level. concomitant with the glaciation, would have stopped the extra-sedimentation of carbonate due to the retreat of the oceans from the platforms, closing this CO2 sink. Pre-glacial CO2 levels would then recover, due to volcanic and metamorphic CO2 outgassing. After subsequent melting of the ice cap, oceanic circulation did not recover pre-Hirnantian Ashgill strength. resulting in a strong stratification of ocean waters and precluding the recovery of an extensive carbonate deposition. The well-known positive shift in the delta(13)C at the base of the Hirnantian is assumed to hake been caused by weathering and dissolution of carbonates, relatively enriched in C-13, during the glacioeustatic regression and exposure of the platforms.