Continental environment changes during Maastrichtian

The Late Maastrichtian is the terminal stage of the Cretaceous and corresponds to a time span of about 4.5 Ma (69.5-65 Ma). The Maastrichtian represented a period of turnover characterised by important faunal and climatic changes which affected terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems. At that time the investigated area, the Hateg basin (South Carpathians), was situated at the northern border of the Tethys realm between 30-35 latitude. The deposits accumulated during a period of strong basin subsidence which correlates with the stacking of the Getic nappe on the Danubian realm. This tectonic phase induced important topographic and probably also climatic changes in the region. Late Maastrichtian deposits from Hateg basin are represented by fluviatil sequences with numerous paleosol intercalations containing carbonate concretions and fossil remains. One of the goals of this project is to reconstruct the sedimentary environment and to assess the importance of tectonic uplift on the facies distribution. Investigations on light stable isotope from calcrete profiles, will be carried out in order to assess the climatic changes, plant distribution, and the level of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere at that time. The environment of Hateg was populated during Maastrichtian by a rich dinosaur and crocodilian fauna. The species which will be further investigated in this project belong to the Ornithopods, (bipedal herbivorous dinosaurs), Theropods (carnivorous dinosaurs) and crocodilian. The inorganic compound of teeth found as hydroxylapatite, has been long considered a useful record of paleoenvironment. In the absence of diagenetic alteration, the study of light stable isotopes (carbon and oxygen) of the investigated dinosaur remains of eggs and teeth will offer new insights into their metabolism, diet and behaviour. Computer model simulations have provided an insight into the history of global climate, but there are few quantitative data available from continents to evaluate the models and to assess the role of local factors. The information gained through this project will be compiled in order to reconstruct a comprehensive image of the facies and climatic distribution, as well as their development in the Hateg basin during the Late Maastrichtian. In turn facies and climatic data will be used to understand the dinosaurs` habitat and modes of life at that time. The acquired data will provide further understanding of Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems (for example, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere), the role of local factors in climatic changes, and the dinosaurs metabolic rate and habitat.

The Late Maastrichtian is the terminal stage of the Cretaceous and corresponds to a time span of about 4.5 Ma (69.5-65 Ma). The Maastrichtian represented a period of turnover characterised by important faunal and climatic changes which affected terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems. At that time the investigated area, the Hateg basin (South Carpathians), was situated at the northern border of the Tethys realm between 30-35 latitude. The deposits accumulated during a period of strong basin subsidence which correlates with the stacking of the Getic nappe on the Danubian realm. This tectonic phase induced important topographic and probably also climatic changes in the region. Late Maastrichtian deposits from Hateg basin are represented by fluviatil sequences with numerous paleosol intercalations containing carbonate concretions and fossil remains. One of the goals of this project is to reconstruct the sedimentary environment and to assess the importance of tectonic uplift on the facies distribution. Investigations on light stable isotope from calcrete profiles, will be carried out in order to assess the climatic changes, plant distribution, and the level of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere at that time. The environment of Hateg was populated during Maastrichtian by a rich dinosaur and crocodilian fauna. The species which will be further investigated in this project belong to the Ornithopods, (bipedal herbivorous dinosaurs), Theropods (carnivorous dinosaurs) and crocodilian. The inorganic compound of teeth found as hydroxylapatite, has been long considered a useful record of paleoenvironment. In the absence of diagenetic alteration, the study of light stable isotopes (carbon and oxygen) of the investigated dinosaur remains of eggs and teeth will offer new insights into their metabolism, diet and behaviour. Computer model simulations have provided an insight into the history of global climate, but there are few quantitative data available from continents to evaluate the models and to assess the role of local factors. The information gained through this project will be compiled in order to reconstruct a comprehensive image of the facies and climatic distribution, as well as their development in the Hateg basin during the Late Maastrichtian. In turn facies and climatic data will be used to understand the dinosaurs` habitat and modes of life at that time. The acquired data will provide further understanding of Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems (for example, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere), the role of local factors in climatic changes, and the dinosaurs metabolic rate and habitat.