Phosphorus Variations in Volcanic Sequences Reveal the Linkage Between Regional Tectonics and Terrestrial Biota Evolution

Abstract

The Middle‒Late Mesozoic massive volcanism formed a considerable thickness of volcanic‐sedimentary strata in western Liaoning, northern China. Concomitantly, it elevated phosphorus (P) availability for the rapid bloom of the terrestrial Yanliao and Jehol biotas, which developed highly abundant biodiversity and biomass. Hence, systematic tectonic and geochemical analyses of these volcanic‐sedimentary sequences with a significant P fluctuation would advance our understanding of the coevolutionary relationship between terrestrial biotas and regional tectonics. Here, we show that the secular variation of P availability in the Mesozoic volcanic rocks were the immediate results of the changes in volcanic intensity and lithospheric thickness controlled by the geological background of the cratonic destruction resulting from the paleo‐Pacific plate subduction. This study reveals the constraint effect of regional tectonics on the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems through the volcanism and P cycle.

Development of fluvial‐lacustrine systems in the rift basins fostered Jehol Biota origin: Palaeobiogeographic insights on Dabeigou‐type ostracod fauna

“…For example, some researchers believe that the formation of a series of rift basins caused by the destruction of the North China Craton resulting from the subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate is the main controlling factor for the phased development of the Jehol Biota (Li et al, 2021; Zhou et al, 2021; Zhu et al, 2020). The destruction of the NCC also controlled the volcanic intensity and phosphorus variation, resulting in remarkable changes in phosphorus availability that led to the rise and fall of terrestrial biota (i.e., the Yanliao and Jehol Biota) (Ma et al, 2022). Further, the intense volcanic and possibly seismic activity that accompanied the flourishing period of the Jehol Biota, as well as the frequent polarity shifts in the geomagnetic field, may have been important triggering factors in the genetic mutation of these organisms, thus accelerating the production of new species (Wang, 1990).…”

“…For example, some researchers believe that Chen, 1988 andLi, 1983). phosphorus variation, resulting in remarkable changes in phosphorus availability that led to the rise and fall of terrestrial biota (i.e., the Yanliao and Jehol Biota) (Ma et al, 2022). Further, the intense volcanic and possibly seismic activity that accompanied the flourishing period of the Jehol Biota, as well as the frequent polarity shifts in the geomagnetic field, may have been important triggering factors in the genetic mutation of these organisms, thus accelerating the production of new species (Wang, 1990).…”

The Impetus for Bloom of Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems in Northern China: Insights From Volcanic Nutrient and Harmful Element Delivery

“…An essential requirement to allow the bloom of biotas is that the material available to the biotas in the terrestrial environment contains adequate nutrient elements and low levels of harmful elements (Q.-H. Xu et al, 2022). On a regional scale, volcanic products will inevitably affect the material input of the whole terrestrial ecosystems for a long time in northern China, dominated by volcanism (C. Ma, Tang, Foley, et al, 2022). Given the representativeness of volcanic nutrient and harmful element delivery on the supply for terrestrial ecosystems (Section 4.1) and the crucial role of these elements for life, we propose that volcanic element delivery promoted the establishment, evolution, and expansion of the Mesozoic terrestrial biotas in northern China.…”