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Enhanced phosphorus weathering contributed to Late Miocene cooling

Author

Listed:
  • Yi Zhong

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Zhiguo Li

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Xuefa Shi

    (State Oceanic Administration)

  • Terry Isson

    (BOP)

  • Jimin Yu

    (Laoshan Laboratory
    Australian National University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Sev Kender

    (University of Exeter)

  • Zhou Liang

    (Florida State University)

  • George E. A. Swann

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Alex Pullen

    (Clemson University)

  • Michael E. Weber

    (University of Bonn)

  • Jinlong Du

    (Tongji University)

  • Juan C. Larrasoaña

    (Campus de Arrosadia
    Campus Aula Dei)

  • Jingyu Zhang

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Yafang Song

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • F. J. González

    (Rios Rosas 23)

  • Stefanie Kaboth-Bahr

    (Freie Universität Berlin)

  • Hai Li

    (Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou))

  • Qi Zhang

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Debo Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wei Cao

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Mingyu Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qingsong Liu

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Shanghai Sheshan National Geophysical Observatory)

Abstract

Late Miocene climate evolution provides an opportunity to assess Earth’s climate sensitivity to carbon cycle perturbation under warmer-than-modern conditions. Despite its relevance for understanding the climate system, the driving mechanisms underlying profound climate and carbon cycle changes – including the enigmatic Late Miocene cooling from 7 to 5.4 million years ago – remain unclear. Here, we present magnetic and geochemical paleoceanographic proxies from a hydrogenetic ferromanganese crust retrieved in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Our results indicate a striking 50% surge in deep ocean phosphorus concentrations occurred 7 – 4 million years ago, synchronous with enhanced deep ocean oxygen consumption. Employing a global biogeochemical model, we show that increased continental phosphorus weathering, without a concurrent rise in silicate weathering, contributed to the decline in atmospheric CO2 and associated cooling over the Late Miocene. This suggests a prominent decoupling of phosphorus and silicate weathering during a major carbon cycling event over the last 10 million years.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi Zhong & Zhiguo Li & Xuefa Shi & Terry Isson & Jimin Yu & Sev Kender & Zhou Liang & George E. A. Swann & Alex Pullen & Michael E. Weber & Jinlong Du & Juan C. Larrasoaña & Jingyu Zhang & Yafang Song, 2025. "Enhanced phosphorus weathering contributed to Late Miocene cooling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56477-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56477-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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