The stability of the stratospheric ozone layer during the end-Permian eruption of the Siberian Traps

Beerling, David J.; Harfoot, Michael B. J.; Lomax, Barry H.; Pyle, J. A.

doi:10.1098/rsta.2007.2046

Cited by 105 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…The flows directly killed only those biota in their path, and basalt is not a massive source of greenhouse gases such as CO 2 (8). Recent studies suggest flood basalts may have mobilized carbon in thick deposits of organic-rich sediments, resulting in global climate change and extinction (4,5,7,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). New work also suggests magmatic release of CO 2 from mantle-derived eclogite as a potential extinction mechanism (14).…”

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confidence: 99%

Explosive eruption of coal and basalt and the end-Permian mass extinction

Ogden

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2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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The end-Permian extinction decimated up to 95% of carbonate shell-bearing marine species and 80% of land animals. Isotopic excursions, dissolution of shallow marine carbonates, and the demise of carbonate shell-bearing organisms suggest global warming and ocean acidification. The temporal association of the extinction with the Siberia flood basalts at approximately 250 Ma is well known, and recent evidence suggests these flood basalts may have mobilized carbon in thick deposits of organic-rich sediments. Large isotopic excursions recorded in this period are potentially explained by rapid venting of coal-derived methane, which has primarily been attributed to metamorphism of coal by basaltic intrusion. However, recently discovered contemporaneous deposits of fly ash in northern Canada suggest large-scale combustion of coal as an additional mechanism for rapid release of carbon. This massive coal combustion may have resulted from explosive interaction with basalt sills of the Siberian Traps. Here we present physical analysis of explosive eruption of coal and basalt, demonstrating that it is a viable mechanism for global extinction. We describe and constrain the physics of this process including necessary magnitudes of basaltic intrusion, mixing and mobilization of coal and basalt, ascent to the surface, explosive combustion, and the atmospheric rise necessary for global distribution.R ecent studies have brought the Great Dying at the end of the Permian Period into focus. Up to 95% of shell-bearing marine species and 80% of land animals perished (1, 2). The temporal association of the extinction with the Siberia flood basalts at approximately 250 Ma is well known (1-7), but a causal mechanism connecting the flood basalts to global extinction is not evident. The flows directly killed only those biota in their path, and basalt is not a massive source of greenhouse gases such as CO 2 (8). Recent studies suggest flood basalts may have mobilized carbon in thick deposits of organic-rich sediments, resulting in global climate change and extinction (4,5,7,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). New work also suggests magmatic release of CO 2 from mantle-derived eclogite as a potential extinction mechanism (14). Svensen et al. (15) were the first to discuss the mechanism by which basaltic interaction with organic sediments may cause mass extinction through explosive release of methane. McElwain et al. (16) expanded on this idea by linking the intrusion of KarooFerrar magmas into coal with the 183 Ma Toarcian oceanic anoxic event. In this model, basaltic intrusions metamorphosed sediments driving off hydrocarbons, including methane, which quickly oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water. This sudden release of organic carbon acidified the ocean and caused a ∂ 13 C excursion in the sedimentary record.Retallack and Jahren (5) applied a similar idea linking basaltic intrusion of coal seams in Siberia to the late Permian extinction. Their study focused on this mechanism as an explanation for the large, short-term carbon isotopic excursions ...

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confidence: 99%

Explosive eruption of coal and basalt and the end-Permian mass extinction

Ogden

Sleep²

2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…In the more extreme cases of aerosol injection, light may have been attenuated to the point that photosynthesis was seriously compromised or curtailed, especially at higher latitudes. Halogens and any organohalogens that entered the stratosphere could have led to degrading of the ozone layer resulting, in enhanced surface UV-B, as described by Beerling et al [93] . CO 2 from the degassing lavas and magma conduits, and from interaction of sills and dykes with carbonbearing sedimentary formations, then accumulated in the atmosphere and oceans.…”

Section: Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The recovery of these systems after individual eruptions would depend on the survival of plants in refugios, and the viability of seeds, spores and root systems. Injection of HCl and organohalogens into the stratosphere, compromise of the ozone layer, and increased atmospheric transparency to UV-B [93] could only add to the deteriorating surface conditions.…”

Section: Sulphur Dioxide and Halogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Beerling et al [93] modelled the release and stratospheric injection of HCl from large-scale flood basalt eruption columns, and organohalogens from pyrolysis of dispersed sedimentary organic compounds, to show that these could result in substantial stratospheric ozone loss. It is argued that this led to increased ultraviolet-B radiation at the Earth's surface, leading to mutation in plant species [94] .…”

Section: Sulphur Dioxide and Halogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Siberian Traps and the End-Permian mass extinction: a critical review

2009

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The association between the Siberian Traps, the largest continental flood basalt province, and the largest-known mass extinction event at the end of the Permian period, has been strengthened by recently-published high-precision 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dates from widespread localities across the Siberian province [1] . We argue that the impact of the volcanism was amplified by the prevailing late Permian environmental conditions-in particular, the hothouse climate, with sluggish oceanic circulation, that was leading to widespread oceanic anoxia. Volcanism released large masses of sulphate aerosols and carbon dioxide, the former triggering short-duration volcanic winters, the latter leading to long-term warming. Whilst the mass of CO 2 released from individual eruptions was small compared with the total mass of carbon in the atmosphere-ocean system, the long 'mean lifetime' of atmospheric CO 2 , compared with the eruption flux and duration, meant that significant accumulation could occur over periods of 10 5 years. Compromise of the carbon sequestration systems (by curtailment of photosynthesis, destruction of biomass, and warming and acidification of the oceans) probably led to rapid atmospheric CO 2 build-up, warming, and shallow-water anoxia, leading ultimately to mass extinction.continental flood basalts, oceanic anoxia, radiometric dating, CO 2 , SO 2

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“…The potential for gases released by the massive and unusually explosive Siberian flood basalt eruptions at the end of the Permian, 251 Myr ago, to disrupt the chemistry and transport of stratospheric O 3 is only now being considered (Beerling et al 2007), prompted by palaeobotanical claims for a global mutagenesis event at this time (Visscher et al 2004). According to model calculations, the extent of damage to the O 3 layer is dependent upon the duration of the eruption, the nature of the underlying geology and high CO 2 Permian atmosphere cooling the stratosphere by 10 K to allow extensive polar stratospheric cloud formation catalysing O 3 destruction (Beerling et al 2007).…”

Section: Trace Gases and Palaeoclimatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical issues in trace gas biogeochemistry and global change

Beerling

Hewitt

Pyle

et al. 2007

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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The atmospheric composition of trace gases and aerosols is determined by the emission of compounds from the marine and terrestrial biospheres, anthropogenic sources and their chemistry and deposition processes. Biogenic emissions depend upon physiological processes and climate, and the atmospheric chemistry is governed by climate and feedbacks involving greenhouse gases themselves. Understanding and predicting the biogeochemistry of trace gases in past, present and future climates therefore demands an interdisciplinary approach integrating across physiology, atmospheric chemistry, physics and meteorology. Here, we highlight critical issues raised by recent findings in all of these key areas to provide a framework for better understanding the past and possible future evolution of the atmosphere. Incorporating recent experimental and observational findings, especially the influence of CO 2 on trace gas emissions from marine algae and terrestrial plants, into earth system models remains a major research priority. As we move towards this goal, archives of the concentration and isotopes of N 2 O and CH 4 from polar ice cores extending back over 650 000 years will provide a valuable benchmark for evaluating such models. In the Pre-Quaternary, synthesis of theoretical modelling with geochemical and palaeontological evidence is also uncovering the roles played by trace gases in episodes of abrupt climatic warming and ozone depletion. Finally, observations and palaeorecords across a range of timescales allow assessment of the Earth's climate sensitivity, a metric influencing our ability to decide what constitutes 'dangerous' climate change.

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The stability of the stratospheric ozone layer during the end-Permian eruption of the Siberian Traps

Cited by 105 publications

References 57 publications

Explosive eruption of coal and basalt and the end-Permian mass extinction

Explosive eruption of coal and basalt and the end-Permian mass extinction

The Siberian Traps and the End-Permian mass extinction: a critical review

Critical issues in trace gas biogeochemistry and global change

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