Maceral reflectance data for a release and recapture analysis of limited carbon mobilization in sediment adjacent to Central Atlantic Magmatic Province Sills, Florida, USA

Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are associated with dramatic changes to the Earth system; their rapid release of carbon to the surface environment may initiate catastrophic climatic changes that cause mass extinction. This carbon release is often associated with volcanic emissions, yet metamorphic carbon production during LIP events may be substantial. Metamorphic carbon devolatilization occurs as dikes and sills interact with the sediment they intrude, potentially releasing high magnitudes of carbon. While this metamorphic flux has been modeled, relatively few studies use an observational approach. Here we provide results from petrographic maceral vitrinite reflectance analysis conducted on two boreholes in the Florida basement as part of a multi-pronged approach to understanding temperature changes and carbon devolatilization in sediment adjacent to basaltic intrusions of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). We focus on sills in deep drill cores located in the panhandle and northeast part of Florida. The two bore holes, Well 1789 and 2012, were obtained from the deep drill core collection at the Florida Geologic Survey.