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Reduced contribution of sulfur to the mass extinction associated with the Chicxulub impact event

Author

Listed:
  • Katerina Rodiouchkina

    (Ghent University
    Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    Luleå University of Technology)

  • Steven Goderis

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Cem Berk Senel

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    Royal Observatory of Belgium)

  • Pim Kaskes

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    Université Libre de Bruxelles)

  • Özgür Karatekin

    (Royal Observatory of Belgium)

  • Michael Ernst Böttcher

    (Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW)
    Greifswald University
    University of Rostock)

  • Ilia Rodushkin

    (Luleå University of Technology
    ALS Laboratory Group)

  • Johan Vellekoop

    (KU Leuven
    Institute for Natural Sciences)

  • Philippe Claeys

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Frank Vanhaecke

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

The Chicxulub asteroid impact event at the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary ~66 Myr ago is widely considered responsible for the mass extinction event leading to the demise of the non-avian dinosaurs. Short-term cooling due to massive release of climate-active agents is hypothesized to have been crucial, with S-bearing gases originating from the target rock vaporization considered an important driving force. Yet, the magnitude of the S release remains poorly constrained. Here we empirically estimate the amount of impact-released S relying on the concentration of S and its isotopic composition within the impact structure and a set of terrestrial K-Pg boundary ejecta sites. The average value of 67 ± 39 Gt obtained is ~5-fold lower than previous numerical estimates. The lower mass of S-released may indicate a less prominent role for S emission leading to a milder impact winter with key implications for species survival during the first years following the impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Katerina Rodiouchkina & Steven Goderis & Cem Berk Senel & Pim Kaskes & Özgür Karatekin & Michael Ernst Böttcher & Ilia Rodushkin & Johan Vellekoop & Philippe Claeys & Frank Vanhaecke, 2025. "Reduced contribution of sulfur to the mass extinction associated with the Chicxulub impact event," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55145-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55145-6
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