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Research from Curtin University has shed new light on when one of the largest mass extinction events on Earth occurred, which gives new meaning to what killed Triassic life and allowed for the ecological expansion of dinosaurs in the Jurassic period.
The research, published in the prestigious PNAS journal, examined biomarkers (molecular fossils) and their stable isotope compositions that suggest the late Triassic mass extinction of prehistoric creatures such as conodons and phytosaurs that began after a volcanic eruption spewed. carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, disrupting the Earth’s natural carbon cycle and setting off a chain reaction of environmental events.
That carbon destruction led to acidic ocean waters which then affected delicate marine ecosystems and led to other unfavorable planetary changes.
Lead author, Dr. Calum Peter Fox, a Curtin PhD graduate, of the WA-Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Center (WA-OIGC) at Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said the team analyzed biomarkers extracted from the rocks. collected in the UK’s Bristol Channel and found evidence of ancient microbial mats, which are complex communities of microorganisms.
“Through our analysis of the chemical signature of these microbial mats, as well as seeing sea level change and water column refreshment, we found that the late Triassic mass extinction occurred later than it was supposed to. thought, “said Dr. Fox.
Dr. Fox explained that previous research suggests the extinction occurred where we now know that microbial mats have flourished and the chemical traces left by these ancient microbes have complicated the rock’s record, leading others to believe this is the place. in which the extinction occurred.
“The microbial mats recorded in the UK samples are comparable to existing microbial mats such as at Shark Bay in Western Australia. It is surprising to consider that similar microbial communities that have confused the timing of one of the largest extinctions on Earth millions of years ago are on our shores and so easy to observe on their own, “said Dr. Fox.
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Kliti Grice, also of the WA-OIGC of Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said the research results not only presented a new theory of what sparked the extinction of late Triassic, they also provided a kind of warning for potential future mass extinction events on Earth.
‘Our recent research shows that microbial mats have played important functions in several mass extinction events as well as a role in preserving the remnants of life, including the soft tissues of organisms that have died under exceptional circumstances,’ said Professor Grice.
“Knowing more about the carbon dioxide levels present during the late Triassic mass extinction event provides us with important details that could help protect our environment and the health of our ecosystems for future generations.”
Comprehensive research paper, molecular and isotope evidence reveals that the Triassic end carbon isotope excursion does not come from massive exogenous light carbon, it was funded by a grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC) ( LP150100341, Grice et al) and part of an international collaboration with the University of Southampton, MIT and Columbia University can be found online here.
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