How an Excess of Carbon After a Mass Extinction Shaped Ocean Life

Scientists have learned a bit more about a mass extinction event that occurred millions of years ago. They've discovered how carbon offered a mode of survival for some ocean life after this catastrophic event.

As the Triassic Period of the Mesozoic Era began, more than 90 percent of terrestrial and marine species became extinct. Many theories have been given for why this event occurred, including ones that incorporate extensive volcanic activity, global heating or one or more terrestrial impacts.

In order to learn a bit more about this event, the researchers focused on a section of the latest Permian aged rocks in Vietnam. Closely sampled species were studied and carefully assessed. They found that there was extensive volcanic activity in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres during this period.

"Much of the volcanic activity was connected with the extensive Siberian flood basalt known as the Siberian Traps that emerged through Permian aged coal deposits and, of course, the burning of coal created CO2," said Merlynd Nestell, one of the researchers, in a news release.

The researchers found that there was also volcanic activity in what is now Australia and southern China that could have burned Permian vegetation. What's truly interesting, though, is that the carbon from ash accumulated in the atmosphere and marine environment and was used by some marine microorganisms to construct their shells. This means that some animals benefited from the excess carbon.

The findings reveal a bit more about this time period. The high carbon levels, which began after the extinction event, continued until about 3,000 years after the Permian-Triassic boundary horizon.

The findings are published in the journal International Geology Review.

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