Numerical modelling of primary bioproductivity of the palaeozoic pelagic ecosystems

The article considers an approach to the reconstruction of the bioproductivity of Palaeozoic pelagic ecosystems based on the numeric modelling of the carbon isotope fractionation. The model uses information on the carbon dioxide content in atmosphere, water temperature, and carbon isotopic composition of carbonates and conodont elements. The developed model is tested on the material from the Upper Devonian - Lower Carboniferous of the northern Cis-Urals (successions of carbonate platform and slope of intrashelf depression). It allows reconstructing of the primary productivity of the Palaeozoic pelagic ecosystems and their dynamics on the basis of limited data. The results of the modelling are considered as rather qualitative than quantitative. The carbon isotope composition of total organic carbon was used for controlling the quality of the model.