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Climate-forced Hg-remobilization associated with fern mutagenesis in the aftermath of the end-Triassic extinction

Author

Listed:
  • Remco Bos

    (Utrecht University)

  • Wang Zheng

    (Tianjin University)

  • Sofie Lindström

    (Copenhagen University)

  • Hamed Sanei

    (Aarhus University)

  • Irene Waajen

    (Utrecht University)

  • Isabel M. Fendley

    (University of Oxford
    Pennsylvania State University)

  • Tamsin A. Mather

    (University of Oxford)

  • Yang Wang

    (Tianjin University)

  • Jan Rohovec

    (Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences)

  • Tomáš Navrátil

    (Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences)

  • Appy Sluijs

    (Utrecht University)

  • Bas Schootbrugge

    (Utrecht University)

Abstract

The long-term effects of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, a large igneous province connected to the end-Triassic mass-extinction (201.5 Ma), remain largely elusive. Here, we document the persistence of volcanic-induced mercury (Hg) pollution and its effects on the biosphere for ~1.3 million years after the extinction event. In sediments recovered in Germany (Schandelah-1 core), we record not only high abundances of malformed fern spores at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, but also during the lower Jurassic Hettangian, indicating repeated vegetation disturbance and stress that was eccentricity-forced. Crucially, these abundances correspond to increases in sedimentary Hg-concentrations. Hg-isotope ratios (δ202Hg, Δ199Hg) suggest a volcanic source of Hg-enrichment at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary but a terrestrial source for the early Jurassic peaks. We conclude that volcanically injected Hg across the extinction was repeatedly remobilized from coastal wetlands and hinterland areas during eccentricity-forced phases of severe hydrological upheaval and erosion, focusing Hg-pollution in the Central European Basin.

Suggested Citation

  • Remco Bos & Wang Zheng & Sofie Lindström & Hamed Sanei & Irene Waajen & Isabel M. Fendley & Tamsin A. Mather & Yang Wang & Jan Rohovec & Tomáš Navrátil & Appy Sluijs & Bas Schootbrugge, 2024. "Climate-forced Hg-remobilization associated with fern mutagenesis in the aftermath of the end-Triassic extinction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-47922-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47922-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jun Shen & Runsheng Yin & Shuang Zhang & Thomas J. Algeo & David J. Bottjer & Jianxin Yu & Guozhen Xu & Donald Penman & Yongdong Wang & Liqin Li & Xiao Shi & Noah J. Planavsky & Qinglai Feng & Shuchen, 2022. "Intensified continental chemical weathering and carbon-cycle perturbations linked to volcanism during the Triassic–Jurassic transition," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Alyson M. Thibodeau & Kathleen Ritterbush & Joyce A. Yager & A. Joshua West & Yadira Ibarra & David J. Bottjer & William M. Berelson & Bridget A. Bergquist & Frank A. Corsetti, 2016. "Mercury anomalies and the timing of biotic recovery following the end-Triassic mass extinction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, September.
    3. Jun Shen & Runsheng Yin & Thomas J. Algeo & Henrik H. Svensen & Shane D. Schoepfer, 2022. "Mercury evidence for combustion of organic-rich sediments during the end-Triassic crisis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
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