Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 triggered by Kerguelen volcanism

Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are associated with global warming and carbon cycle perturbations during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2, ~94 Ma) and the Mid-Cenomanian Event (MCE, ~96.5 Ma). However, there is still no consensus on the role volcanism played as a trigger, or its source – previously ascri...

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Published inNature communications Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 5124 - 12
Main Authors Walker-Trivett, C. A., Kender, S., Bogus, K. A., Littler, K., Edvardsen, T., Leng, M. J., Lacey, J., Riding, J. B., Millar, I. L., Wagner, D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Nature Publishing Group UK 15.06.2024
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Portfolio
Subjects
140/58
147/135
704/106/2738
704/106/413
704/47/4112
704/47/4113
Carbon
Carbon cycle
Climate change
Global warming
Humanities and Social Sciences
Isotopes
Mercury
Mercury (metal)
multidisciplinary
Neodymium
Northern Hemisphere
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Southern Hemisphere
Strontium
Strontium isotopes
Volcanic activity
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Summary:Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are associated with global warming and carbon cycle perturbations during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2, ~94 Ma) and the Mid-Cenomanian Event (MCE, ~96.5 Ma). However, there is still no consensus on the role volcanism played as a trigger, or its source – previously ascribed to the Caribbean LIP or High Arctic LIP. Here, we use Mentelle Basin sedimentary mercury (Hg) concentrations to determine the timing of volcanism, and neodymium (Nd) and strontium (Sr) isotopes for sedimentary provenance. High Hg concentrations compared to Northern Hemisphere records, and a shift to radiogenic Nd isotopes, indicates Kerguelen LIP volcanic activity and plateau uplift occurred in the lead up to and within OAE2. Whilst we find limited evidence that a volcanic event caused the MCE, pulsed Hg spikes before and during OAE2 imply volcanic emissions were key in driving climate and carbon cycle changes and triggering OAE2. Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 was triggered by Kerguelen Large Igneous Province volcanism. Short-lived sedimentary mercury enrichments and changes in sediment provenance suggest that southern hemisphere volcanic activity drove climate and carbon cycle changes.
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ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-49032-3