scholarly journals Modeling the consequences on late Triassic environment of intense pulse-like degassing during the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province using the GEOCLIM model

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 2075-2110 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Paris ◽  
Y. Donnadieu ◽  
V. Beaumont ◽  
F. Fluteau ◽  
Y. Goddéris
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Cycle ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Carbon Isotopic Composition ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Carbon Isotopic ◽  
Central Atlantic Magmatic Province ◽  
Igneous Provinces ◽  
Central Atlantic ◽  
Sedimentary Carbon

Abstract. The Triassic-Jurassic boundary (TJB) is associated with one of the five largest mass extinctions of the Phanerozoic. A deep carbon cycle perturbation and a carbonate production crisis are observed during the late Triassic. The Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP), one of the most important large igneous provinces of the Phanerozoic, emplaced at the TJB. To understand the carbon cycle perturbations observed at the TJB, we investigate the consequences of CO2 degassing associated to the CAMP emplacement on atmospheric and oceanic carbon cycle. The CO2 input within the atmosphere due to volcanism has been modeled using a global biogeochemical cycle box model (COMBINE) coupled with a climate model (FOAM). Weathering fluxes and CO2 equilibrium are constrained by the Rhaetian paleogeography and different scenarios of the CAMP emplacement are modeled. The study focuses (1) on the geological record and the carbonate productions crisis and (2) on the sedimentary carbon isotope record. For point (1), comparison of different modeling scenarios shows that a Gaussian CO2 emission distribution over the duration of the main activity phase of the CAMP fails in reproducing any of the geological observations, mainly the carbonate production crisis observed in the late Rhaetian sediments. Contrastingly, intense degassing peaks lead to successive decrease in carbonate production as observed in the geological record. For point (2), the perturbations of carbon cycle due to the degassing of CO2 with a mantellic carbon isotopic composition of −5‰ do not reproduce the intensity of the observed carbon isotope excursions. This was achieved in our model by assuming a mantellic carbon isotopic composition of −20‰. Even if this hypothesis requires further investigations, such low values may be associated to degassing of carbon from pools of light isotopic carbon located at the transition zone (Cartigny, 2010), possibly linked to setting of large igneous provinces (LIP's). Breakdown of biological primary productivity can also partially account for the sedimentary carbon isotope excursions and for the observed increase of atmospheric pCO2.

Authigenic Carbonate and the History of the Global Carbon Cycle

Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 339 (6119) ◽  
pp. 540-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Schrag ◽  
John. A. Higgins ◽  
Francis A. Macdonald ◽  
David T. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Cycle ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Atmospheric Oxygen ◽  
Carbon Isotopic Composition ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Authigenic Carbonate ◽  
Carbon Isotopic ◽  
History Of ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Global Carbon

We present a framework for interpreting the carbon isotopic composition of sedimentary rocks, which in turn requires a fundamental reinterpretation of the carbon cycle and redox budgets over Earth's history. We propose that authigenic carbonate, produced in sediment pore fluids during early diagenesis, has played a major role in the carbon cycle in the past. This sink constitutes a minor component of the carbon isotope mass balance under the modern, high levels of atmospheric oxygen but was much larger in times of low atmospheric O2or widespread marine anoxia. Waxing and waning of a global authigenic carbonate sink helps to explain extreme carbon isotope variations in the Proterozoic, Paleozoic, and Triassic.

A tale of two extinctions: converging end-Permian and end-Triassic scenarios

2015 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
BAS VAN DE SCHOOTBRUGGE ◽  
PAUL B. WIGNALL
Keyword(s):  
Mass Extinction ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Forest Dieback ◽  
Central Atlantic Magmatic Province ◽  
Igneous Provinces ◽  
Extinction Events ◽  
Central Atlantic ◽  
Mass Extinction Events ◽  
Cross Fertilization

AbstractThe end-Permian (c.252 Ma) and end-Triassic (c.201 Ma) mass-extinction events are commonly linked to the emplacement of the large igneous provinces of the Siberia Traps and Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, respectively. Accordingly, scenarios for both extinctions are increasingly convergent and cross-fertilization of ideas has become important. Here, we present a synthesis of extinction scenarios based on a critical assessment of the available palaeontological, sedimentological, geochemical and geophysical evidence. How similar were the extinction events, what gaps exist in our understanding and how can a comparison of the events enhance our understanding of each event individually? Our focus is on the most important proximate kill mechanisms including: climate change and atmospheric pollution; increased soil erosion, weathering and runoff; forest dieback and the spread of pathogens; and ocean temperature changes, anoxia and acidification. There is substantial evidence to suggest that very similar kill mechanisms acted upon late Permian as well as Late Triassic ecosystems, strengthening the hypothesis that the ultimate causes of the mass-extinction events were similar.

scholarly journals Thermogenic carbon release from the Central Atlantic magmatic province caused major end-Triassic carbon cycle perturbations

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (22) ◽  
pp. 11968-11974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea H. Heimdal ◽  
Morgan T. Jones ◽  
Henrik. H. Svensen
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Cycle ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Carbon Burial ◽  
Central Atlantic Magmatic Province ◽  
Organic Carbon Burial ◽  
Terrestrial Sediments ◽  
Carbon Release ◽  
Sediment Carbon ◽  
Central Atlantic ◽  
Contact Aureoles

The Central Atlantic magmatic province (CAMP), the end-Triassic mass extinction (ETE), and associated major carbon cycle perturbations occurred synchronously around the Triassic–Jurassic (T–J) boundary (201 Ma). Negative carbon isotope excursions (CIEs) recorded in marine and terrestrial sediments attest to the input of isotopically light carbon, although the carbon sources remain debated. Here, we explore the effects of mantle-derived and thermogenic carbon released from the emplacement of CAMP using the long-term ocean–atmosphere–sediment carbon cycle reservoir (LOSCAR) model. We have tested a detailed emission scenario grounded by numerous complementary boundary conditions, aiming to model the full extent of the carbon cycle perturbations around the T–J boundary. These include three negative CIEs (i.e., Marshi/Precursor, Spelae/Initial, Tilmanni/Main) with sharp positive CIEs in between. We show that a total of ∼24,000 Gt C (including ∼12,000 Gt thermogenic C) replicates the proxy data. These results indicate that thermogenic carbon generated from the contact aureoles around CAMP sills represents a credible source for the negative CIEs. An extremely isotopically depleted carbon source, such as marine methane clathrates, is therefore not required. Furthermore, we also find that significant organic carbon burial, in addition to silicate weathering, is necessary to account for the positive δ13C intervals following the negative CIEs.

scholarly journals The carbon cycle and carbon dioxide over Phanerozoic time: the role of land plants

1998 ◽  
Vol 353 (1365) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Berner
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Carbon Cycle ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Carbon Isotopic Composition ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Accelerated Weathering ◽  
Fossil Plants ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Carbon Isotopic

A model (GEOCARB) of the long–term, or multimillion year, carbon cycle has been constructed which includes quantitative treatment of (1) uptake of atmospheric CO 2 by the weathering of silicate and carbonate rocks on the continents, and the deposition of carbonate minerals and organic matter in oceanic sediments; and (2) the release of CO 2 to the atmosphere via the weathering of kerogen in sedimentary rocks and degassing resulting from the volcanic–metamorphic–diagenetic breakdown of carbonates and organic matter at depth. Sensitivity analysis indicates that an important factor affecting CO 2 was the rise of vascular plants in the Palaeozoic. A large Devonian drop in CO 2 was brought about primarily by the acceleration of weathering of silicate rock by the development of deeply rooted plants in well–drained upland soils. The quantitative effect of this accelerated weathering has been crudely estimated by present–day field studies where all factors affecting weathering, other than the presence or absence of vascular plants, have been held relatively constant. An important additional factor, bringing about a further CO 2 drop into the Carboniferous and Permian, was enhanced burial of organic matter in sediments, due probably to the production of microbially resistant plant remains (e.g. lignin). Phanerozoic palaeolevels of atmospheric CO 2 calculated from the GEOCARB model generally agree with independent estimates based on measurements of the carbon isotopic composition of palaeosols and the stomatal index for fossil plants. Correlation of CO 2 levels with estimates of palaeoclimate suggests that the atmospheric greenhouse effect has been a major factor in controlling global climate over the past 600 million years.

scholarly journals Volcanic mercury and mutagenesis in land plants during the end-Triassic mass extinction

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. eaaw4018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofie Lindström ◽  
Hamed Sanei ◽  
Bas van de Schootbrugge ◽  
Gunver K. Pedersen ◽  
Charles E. Lesher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Emissions ◽  
Northern Germany ◽  
The Past ◽  
Central Atlantic Magmatic Province ◽  
Igneous Provinces ◽  
Southern Scandinavia ◽  
Terrestrial Sediments ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Extinction Events ◽  
Central Atlantic

During the past 600 million years of Earth history, four of five major extinction events were synchronous with volcanism in large igneous provinces. Despite improved temporal frameworks for these events, the mechanisms causing extinctions remain unclear. Volcanic emissions of greenhouse gases, SO2, and halocarbons are generally considered as major factors in the biotic crises, resulting in global warming, acid deposition, and ozone layer depletion. Here, we show that pulsed elevated concentrations of mercury in marine and terrestrial sediments across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in southern Scandinavia and northern Germany correlate with intense volcanic activity in the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province. The increased levels of mercury—the most genotoxic element on Earth—also correlate with high occurrences of abnormal fern spores, indicating severe environmental stress and genetic disturbance in the parent plants. We conclude that this offers compelling evidence that emissions of toxic volcanogenic substances contributed to the end-Triassic biotic crisis.

Sedimentological, palynological and geochemical studies of the terrestrial Triassic–Jurassic boundary in northwestern Poland

2011 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
GRZEGORZ PIEŃKOWSKI ◽  
GRZEGORZ NIEDŹWIEDZKI ◽  
MARTA WAKSMUNDZKA
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Central Atlantic Magmatic Province ◽  
Continental Deposits ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Sequence Boundaries ◽  
Transitional Section ◽  
Isotope System ◽  
Northwestern Poland ◽  
Central Atlantic ◽  
Osmium Isotope

AbstractThe Kamień Pomorski IG-1 borehole (Pomerania, NW Poland) yields a profile through the Triassic–Jurassic (T–J) transition in continental deposits. An integrated study of the sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, palynology, biostratigraphy and geochemistry of these deposits has been carried out on the boundary interval, which represents a time of major environmental change. Two lithological units within the transitional section are distinguished: the Lower–Middle Rhaetian Wielichowo Beds of alluvial plain facies, which shows evidence of a semi-arid climate, and the Upper Rhaetian to Lower Hettangian Zagaje Formation, lying above a marked erosional sequence boundary, composed of mudstone-claystone and sandstone deposited in a fluvial-lacustrine environment. Carbon isotope values obtained from palynomaceral separates, and thus reflecting isotopic changes in atmospheric CO2, show significant fluctuations through the Rhaetian; the most conspicuous negative δ13Corgexcursion is correlated with the Rhaetian ‘initial’ excursion and shows two sub-peaks, pointing to short-term carbon-cycle disturbances of lesser magnitude. Above the ‘initial’ negative excursion, there is a positive excursion followed again by more negative values, representing subordinate fluctuation within a positive excursion and is correlated with the T–J boundary. Seventy-two miospore taxa have been determined from the studied T–J transitional section. Two major palynological assemblages have been distinguished: the lower one, typically Rhaetian, named theCingulizonates rhaeticus–Limbosporites lundblandiiassociation, which corresponds to theRhaetipollis–Ricciisporites(=Rhaetipollis–Limbosporites) Zone; and the upper one, typically Hettangian, named theConbaculatisporites mesozoicus– Dictyophyllidites mortoni–Cerebropollenites thiergartiiassociation (with the age-diagnostic pollenC.thiergartii), which corresponds to thePinuspollenites–Trachysporites(= Trachysporites–Heliosporites) Zone. The T–J palynofloral turnover occurred in a humid period and is more conspicuous then palynofloral changes observed in Greenland, the Tethyan domain or other parts of NE Europe. The osmium isotope system is studied herein for the first time from T–J continental deposits and shows marked disturbances similar to those measured in marine deposits and attributed to volcanic fallout. Carbon and osmium isotope correlation and coeval increase in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content and darkening of miospores confirm that eruptions of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) contributed to the perturbances in climate and crisis in the terrestrial biosphere. A series of periodical atmospheric loading by CO2, CH4or alternatively by SO2, sulphate aerosols and toxic compounds is inferred to have caused a series of rapid climatic reversals, directly influencing the ecosystem and causing the Triassic floral crisis. A floral turnover period commenced at the ‘initial’ δ13C excursion, with the onset of CAMP volcanism. Obtained values of initial187Os/186Os between 2.905 and 4.873 and very low iridium content (about 5 ppt) lend no support to a role for an extraterrestrial impact at the T–J boundary event. The position of the ‘initial’ negative carbon isotope excursion about 12 m below the T–J boundary, position of sequence boundaries (emergence surfaces) and other isotope excursions allow reliable correlation with marine profiles, including St Audrie's Bay (UK), Csövár (Hungary) and the GSSP profile at Kuhjoch (Austria).

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