We studied two sections that accumulated during the Paleocene-Eocene
transition in shelf waters in the northeastern Tethys. Stable carbon
isotopic compositions of marine and terrestrial biomarkers are
consistent with a C-13 depletion in the oceanic and atmospheric carbon
dioxide pools during the Late Paleocene Thermal Maximum (LPTM: Subzone
P5b). The 2-3 parts per thousand negative delta(13)C excursion in
planktic foraminifera coincides with minimum delta(18)O values. an
incursion of transient subtropical planktic foraminiferal fauna, and the
occurrence of an organic-rich sapropelite unit in Uzbekistan, which
accumulated at the onset of a transgressive event. Biomarker
distributions and hydrogen indices indicate that marine algae and
bacteria were the major organic matter sources. During the Late
Paleocene (Subzones P4 and P5a), the marginal northeastern Tethys
experienced a temperate to warm climate with wet and arid seasons. Most
likely, warm and humid climate initiated during the LPTM (Subzone P5b)
and subsequently extended during the Eocene (Zone P6) onto adjacent land
areas of the marginal northeastern Tethys.