Multi-proxy assessment of recent regional-scale events recorded in Southern Gulf of Mexico sediments

The Ixtoc-1 oil spill (1979–80) released 475 million liters of petroleum into the Southern Gulf Mexico (sGoM) likely causing Marine Oil Snow Sedimentation and Flocculent Accumulation (MOSSFA) to occur. A multiproxy approach including short-lived radioisotopes (210Pbxs), benthic foraminifera stable isotopes (?13CCaCO3), volcanic sediment grains was used investigate regional events (e.g. spills eruptions) recorded in sedimentary records. Depleted ?13CCaCO3 from 1979 80 outside natural variability most results petrogenic carbon deposition 100–250 km west Ixtoc-1, possibly associated with MOSSFA. An event, characterized by increased input, depleted ?13CCaCO3, mass accumulation rates consistent El Chichón eruption (1982) 80–100 north Ixtoc-1. Many factors confound uniform distribution preservation these sGoM. However, a may aid distinguish multiple sGoM record.