Mega El Nino instigated the end-Permian mass extinction

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Sun, Yadong; Farnsworth, Alexander; Joachimski, Michael M.; Wignall, Paul B.; Krystyn, Leopold; Bond, David P. G.; Ravida, Domenico C. G.; Valdes, Paul J.
• 署名单位: China University of Geosciences; University of Erlangen Nuremberg; University of Bristol; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS; University of Leeds; University of Vienna; University of Hull; University of Gottingen
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-13220
• DOI: 10.1126/science.ado2030
• 发表日期: 2024-09-13
• 页码: 1189-1195
• 关键词: triassic boundary; SOUTH-AFRICA; karoo basin; climate; EVOLUTION; TRANSITION; ocean; urals; temperatures; insights

摘要

The ultimate driver of the end-Permian mass extinction is a topic of much debate. Here, we used a multiproxy and paleoclimate modeling approach to establish a unifying theory elucidating the heightened susceptibility of the Pangean world to the prolonged and intensified El Nino events leading to an extinction state. As atmospheric partial pressure of carbon dioxide doubled from about 410 to about 860 ppm (parts per million) in the latest Permian, the meridional overturning circulation collapsed, the Hadley cell contracted, and El Ninos intensified. The resultant deforestation, reef demise, and plankton crisis marked the start of a cascading environmental disaster. Reduced carbon sequestration initiated positive feedback, producing a warmer hothouse and, consequently, stronger El Ninos. The compounding effects of elevated climate variability and mean state warming led to catastrophic but diachronous terrestrial and marine losses.