Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Andrew D. Bond, Alexander J. Dickson, Micha Ruhl, Remco Bos, Bas van de Schootbrugge
Summary: One of the most severe extinctions of marine life in history happened at the end of the Triassic period, possibly due to volcanic activity and the spread of anoxic conditions. The study uses molybdenum isotopes to reconstruct global and local marine oxygen levels during the extinction event. The findings suggest that the extinction was mainly restricted to marginal marine environments and highlights the vulnerability of global marine biodiversity to geographically localized anoxic conditions.
Article
Geology
Calum P. Fox, Jessica H. Whiteside, Paul E. Olsen, Xingqian Cui, Roger E. Summons, Erdem Idiz, Kliti Grice
Summary: High-resolution biomarker and compound-specific isotope distributions, coupled with the degradation of calcareous fossil remnants, reveal that intensive euxinia and decalcification driven by Central Atlantic magmatic province activity formed a two-pronged kill mechanism at the end-Triassic mass extinction.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Dominik Hulse, Kimberly Lau, Sebastiaan J. van de Velde, Sandra Arndt, Katja M. Meyer, Andy Ridgwell
Summary: The study used Earth system models and geochemical records to show that in the end-Permian, increased temperature intensified microbial metabolism, leading to periodic deep-ocean anoxia and expansion of euxinic waters. The interactive effects of climate change and microbial activity were identified as a key driver of the massive biotic extinction event at the end of the Permian.
Article
Geography, Physical
Tianchen He, Robert J. Newton, Paul B. Wignall, Stephen Reid, Jacopo Dal Corso, Satoshi Takahashi, Hepin Wu, Simona Todaro, Pietro Di Stefano, Vincenzo Randazzo, Manuel Rigo, Alexander M. Dunhill
Summary: During the end-Triassic mass extinction in the western Tethys, the shallow ocean experienced a significant decrease in oxygen levels, leading to oxygen-poor conditions for shallow-water organisms. Additionally, the expansion of deeper anoxic waters coincided with widespread anoxic deposition on continental shelves and slopes.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yuzhu Ge, Thomas J. Algeo, Huaguo Wen, Chen Zhang, Yiquan Ma, Chengbo Lian
Summary: The study reveals spatial and temporal variations of marine de-oxygenation during the Permian-Triassic transition in the eastern Paleotethys Ocean, showing shifts from oxygenation to de-oxygenation in different shelf settings. These variations are linked to marine sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorous cycles, indicating a global shallow-marine de-oxygenation event during the latest Permian mass extinction, potentially caused by volcanic sulfur release from the Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Takashi Taniwaki, Chris Elders, Michael Ernst Boettcher, Alex Holman, Kliti Grice
Summary: The study assesses the differences between photic zone euxinia (PZE) and microbialites in the Early Triassic of the northern Perth Basin. Biomarkers associated with green, purple, and green-brown sulfur bacteria were found in dark-colored mudstones, while they were absent in light-colored mudstones. The presence of microbialites suggests the sequestration of mercury (Hg) through sulfur compounds. Isotopic analysis reveals distinct carbon and sulfur cycling pathways between PZE and microbialites, possibly driven by differences in microbial community structure and the relative abundance of purple sulfur bacteria. The study highlights the development of multiple harsh environmental conditions in the northern Perth Basin.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kenta Asahina, Satoshi Takahashi, Ryosuke Saito, Kunio Kaiho, Yasuhiro Oba
Summary: The composition of fossilized chlorophylls in sedimentary rocks can provide information about paleo-environmental changes. By detecting the ratio of maleimides and phthalimides in sedimentary rocks, an indicator for anoxic-sulfidic conditions in the paleo oceanic photic zone can be established.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yu Fang, Jin Su, Xiaomei Wang, Sihong Ma, Chunlong Yang, Shuichang Zhang
Summary: This study conducted a high-resolution geochemical analysis of the lower and upper black shales from the Yurtus Formation in the Tarim Basin. The results showed that the deposition of the lower black shale involved a mixture of hydrothermal fluid and seawater, with the presence of phosphorite and barite. The phosphogenesis was potentially related to bacteria activities under intermittently oxic bottom waters or consistently free oxygen conditions. Moreover, evidence of green sulfur bacteria and trace metal patterns suggested the occurrence of photic zone euxinia and intermittently bottom water oxygenation in relation to phosphate nodule formation. On the other hand, the upper black shale mainly consisted of detrital input, with decreasing redox-sensitive trace metal enrichment and positive carbon isotope excursion.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yu Jiao, Lian Zhou, Thomas J. Algeo, Jun Shen, Lanping Feng, Yating Hu, Jinhua Liu, Liwei Chi, Minghui Shi
Summary: This study provides insights into the regional arc magmatism linked to volcanism in South China during the Permian-Triassic transition.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yong Du, Huyue Song, Jinnan Tong, Thomas J. Algeo, Zhe Li, Haijun Song, Jiandong Huang
Summary: The study analyzed isotope records from the Lower Triassic in the Chaohu area of Anhui Province, revealing fundamental changes during the Early Triassic recovery period, including evolution of marine plankton community composition, productivity rates, and trophic web structure.
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandra Kunert, Brian Kendall
Summary: Mesozoic oceanic anoxic events are widespread deposits of marine organic-rich mudrocks associated with mass extinctions and large igneous province emplacement. The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event is an example of expanded ocean anoxia due to environmental perturbations linked to the Karoo-Ferrar igneous province. However, the global extent and nature of anoxia during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event remain poorly understood. This study estimates the global anoxic and euxinic seafloor areas before and during the event using rhenium and molybdenum enrichments in organic-rich mudrocks of the Fernie Formation in Canada. The results show an expansion of seafloor anoxia dominated by euxinia at the onset of the event, followed by a contraction, and the ocean redox trends align with patterns of biodiversity collapse and recovery.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sietze J. de Graaff, Lawrence M. E. Percival, Pim Kaskes, Thomas Dehais, Niels J. de Winter, Max N. Jansen, Jan Smit, Matthias Sinnesael, Johan Vellekoop, Honami Sato, Akira Ishikawa, Simo Spassov, Philippe Claeys, Steven Goderis
Summary: The end-Triassic extinction event, one of the five major mass extinctions in Earth's history, continues to be a topic of debate due to uncertainties regarding its causes and timing. This study focuses on a relatively less studied deep-marine T-J section in Montenegro, which provides significant insights into the end-Triassic extinction in the Tethyan marine realm. The distinct geochemical markers observed in this section, including negative carbon isotope excursion and enrichment of certain elements, support the theory that the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province played a key role in driving the extinction.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yaowen Wu, Hui Tian, Runsheng Yin, Di Chen, Stephen E. Grasby, Jun Shen, Tengfei Li, Sui Ji, Ping'an Peng
Summary: New geochemical data on mercury isotopes suggest that the redox state of shallow water environments in the Mesoproterozoic era was more dynamic and complex than previously thought, and this condition may have significantly influenced the diversification of organisms.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Minghao Chen, Xiugen Fu, Jian Wang, Hengye Wei, Qian Zhang, Ahmed Mansour
Summary: This study provides the first evidence linking ocean acidification and the end-Triassic mass extinction through the analysis of carbon and calcium isotopes. The findings suggest a correlation between the decrease in calcium carbonate burial and CO2-induced ocean acidification during the Triassic-Jurassic transition. The perturbations in the carbon cycle and calcium isotopic composition are believed to be caused by the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) volcanic activity, contributing to the mass extinction event.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tian Xia, Yongge Sun
Summary: This study investigates the effects of biodegradation on the distribution of aromatic carotenoids using a group of progressively biodegraded oils. The results demonstrate that biodegradation significantly affects all detected aromatic carotenoids in crude oils, particularly after moderate biodegradation. Severely degraded oils are expected to have trace or undetectable levels of aromatic carotenoids and carotane. Therefore, caution should be exercised when evaluating the anoxia/euxinia degree in the depositional system using concentrations of aromatic carotenoids and related ratios in potentially biodegraded crude oils and outcrop rocks.
ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Huyue Song, Shixue Hu, Michael Benton, Dayong Jiang
Summary: This article examines the end Permian to Middle Triassic interval, which witnessed a significant marine mass extinction and delayed recovery. The focus is on Triassic marine sediments in South China, providing unique documentation of the collapse and recovery of marine ecosystems. Several papers analyze different fossils and their ecological significance, while others study biostratigraphy, reconstruct paleoenvironments, and link records to volcanic eruptions.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Mohammad Firoze Quamar, Upasana Swaroop Banerji, Biswajeet Thakur, Ratan Kar
Summary: The Indian Summer Monsoon is a crucial component of the Asian Monsoon System, impacting rainfall, agricultural productivity, and socio-economic growth in India and nearby regions. The central monsoon zone in India is more responsive to strong monsoon phases than weak ones.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Maria Laura Balestrieri, Valerio Olivetti, David Chew, Luca Zurli, Massimiliano Zattin, Foteini Drakou, Gianluca Cornamusini, Matteo Perotti
Summary: This study presents a multidisciplinary provenance study on legacy cores drilled in the central Ross Sea, Antarctica, providing insights into the oscillation of ice flows and advance and retreat phases of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
P. Depuydt, S. Toucanne, C. Barras, S. Le Houedec, M. Mojtahid
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the dynamics of the upper branch of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in the mid-latitudes of the Northeast Atlantic. It focuses on the European Slope Current (ESC) and its glacial equivalent known as the Glacial Eastern Boundary Current (GEBC). The study reveals significant changes in flow strength and ventilation during the glacial and deglaciation periods, as well as a gradual weakening of the slope current during the Holocene.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Junhee Park, Holly J. Stein, Judith L. Hannah, Svetoslav V. Georgiev, Oyvind Hammer, Snorre Olaussen
Summary: This study reports new Re-Os ages for black shales from Svalbard and evaluates the paleoenvironment during organic-rich shale deposition. The study also proposes correlations of specific Late Jurassic ammonite zones between the Boreal and Tethyan realms.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Guocheng Dong, Weijian Zhou, Feng Xian, Yunchong Fu, Li Zhang, Ling Tang, Pengkai Ding
Summary: The cause of ice-age cycles is still not fully understood, and studying the timing and magnitude of mountain glaciations can provide valuable insights. This study presents new dating results from the Niqingqu Valley in the Tibetan Plateau, showing multiple glacial activities prior to the Penultimate Glacial Maximum. The findings suggest that low atmospheric CO2 content and reduced summer solar insolation/high summer-monsoon precipitation played a role in these glacial fluctuations.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Haoran Dong, Zhitong Chen, Yucheng Wang, Jie Chen, Zhiping Zhang, Zhongwei Shen, Xinwei Yan, Jianbao Liu
Summary: Through sediment records from Lake Nanyi in the lower Yangtze, we found that anthropogenic fire activity played a dominant role in the region, and the temporal pattern of fire activity was asynchronous from east to west. Archaeological evidence suggests an inverse relationship between agricultural and population levels and fire intensity during the mid-Holocene, with fire intensity being influenced by the diversity of landscape types associated with pre-historic subsistence patterns. Overall, changes in regional water-level delayed the transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture in the lower Yangtze region.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Giovanni Coletti, Giulia Bosio, Alberto Collareta, Or Mordecai Bialik, Eleonora Regattieri, Irene Cornacchia, Gianni Insacco, John Buckeridge
Summary: This paper argues that sessile barnacles are an excellent proxy for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. The shells of barnacles consist of diagenetically stable low-magnesium calcite and record short-term variations. Analyses of several Western Mediterranean barnacle-rich deposits demonstrate the utility of barnacles as proxies for water depth, distance from the coastline, and hydrodynamic conditions. Moreover, the stable isotope ratios of barnacle shells can provide detailed palaeoenvironmental information.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Feng Wu, Xinong Xie, Wen Yan, Youhua Zhu, Beichen Chen, Jianuo Chen, Mo Zhou
Summary: This paper describes the Quaternary evolution of Meiji Atoll in the southern South China Sea. The findings show how variations in sea surface temperature, eustatic sea level, and tectonics have influenced the development of the atoll. These findings have broader implications for understanding the Quaternary evolution of similar tropical carbonate atolls in the region.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Ana Mateos, Ericson Hoelzchen, Jesus Rodriguez
Summary: The Epivillafranchian and the transition to the Galerian was a period of environmental fluctuations and faunal turnover. Hominins and giant hyenas could coexist during the Epivillafranchian, but the transition to the Galerian led to a disruption of the scavenging niche, coinciding with the extinction of P. brevirostris.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Tianyu Du, Wensheng Zhang, Bing Li, Linjing Liu, Yuecong Li, Yawen Ge, Shiyong Yu
Summary: This article presents sedimentary evidence for a dramatic channel displacement of the lower Yellow River about 3000-2600 years ago, and explains the impact of this displacement on the geomorphology and human migration.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Johann Mueller, Michael M. Joachimski, Oliver Lehnert, Peep Mannik, Yadong Sun
Summary: The Late Ordovician mass extinction occurred during an ice age, with maximum ice coverage and a substantial drop in global sea level. This led to the exposure or shallowing of shallow tropical shelf environments. The study suggests that the burial rate of nutrient phosphorus (P) on shelves was minimal during this glacial period, leading to excess bioavailable P entering the open ocean and stimulating phytoplankton production, which in turn lowered oxygen concentrations.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Marina Addante, Patrizia Maiorano, Giovanna Scopelliti, Angela Girone, Maria Marino, Samanta Trotta, Antonio Caruso
Summary: This study presents the first high-resolution results on planktonic foraminiferal stable oxygen isotopes and calcareous plankton assemblages, providing insights into the glacial-interglacial variability and North Atlantic climate variability. The research also reveals evidence of the first significant southward migration of the Subarctic Front in the mid-latitudes.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Bing-Cai Liu, Rui-Wen Zong, Kai Wang, Jiao Bai, Yi Wang, Hong-He Xu
Summary: Phytogeography plays a vital role in the evolution of plants. This paper describes a new species of a spore-bearing plant from the upper Silurian period in West Junggar, China. By analyzing global Silurian macrofossil records, the study reveals the spatial-temporal distribution of Silurian plant macrofossils and identifies two phytogeographic realms during the Pridoli Epoch.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Geography, Physical
Francois Fournier, Thomas Teillet, Alexis Licht, Jean Borgomano, Lucien Montaggioni
Summary: This study investigates the temporal evolution of neritic carbonates in the proto-South China Sea to reconstruct East Asian monsoonal currents and winds during the middle to late Paleogene. The results highlight that many of the features of the summer East Asian Monsoon large-scale circulation are rooted in the middle Paleogene.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2024)