A number of outstanding post-cruise studies resulted from ODP Leg 171B drilling at Blake Nose in the North Atlantic concerning biostratigraphy, palaeoceanography-palaeoclimatology and meteorite impacts. Here, we have summarized the highlights of these results, which appear in this volume. In addition, we have combined the new planktonic and benthic foraminiferal stable isotope records of ODP Leg 171B with previously published datasets to elucidate the main features of the Cretaceous-Palaeogene oceans. The dataset is still sparse and additional data are needed to confirm the trends described here. Nevertheless, it represents the first long-term stable isotope record solely based on planktonic and benthic foraminifers and gives a unique overview of palaeoceanographic changes and their probable causes during the early stage of the evolution of the Atlantic Ocean.