Surface ocean warming and acidification driven by rapid carbon release precedes Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Babila, T.L.; Penman, D.E.; Standish, C.D.; Doubrawa, M.; Bralower, T.J.; Robinson, M.M.; Self-Trail, J.M.; Speijer, R.P.; Stassen, P.; Foster, G.L.; Zachos, J.C. (2022). Surface ocean warming and acidification driven by rapid carbon release precedes Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Science Advances 8(11): eabg1025. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abg1025 In: Science Advances. AAAS: New York. e-ISSN 2375-2548, more |   |
| Authors | | Top | - Babila, T.L.
- Penman, D.E.
- Standish, C.D.
- Doubrawa, M., more
| - Bralower, T.J.
- Robinson, M.M.
- Self-Trail, J.M.
- Speijer, R.P., more
| - Stassen, P., more
- Foster, G.L.
- Zachos, J.C.
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| Abstract | The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is recognized by a major negative carbon isotope (δ13C) excursion (CIE) signifying an injection of isotopically light carbon into exogenic reservoirs, the mass, source, and tempo of which continue to be debated. Evidence of a transient precursor carbon release(s) has been identified in a few localities, although it remains equivocal whether there is a global signal. Here, we present foraminiferal δ13C records from a marine continental margin section, which reveal a 1.0 to 1.5‰ negative pre-onset excursion (POE), and concomitant rise in sea surface temperature of at least 2°C and a decline in ocean pH. The recovery of both δ13C and pH before the CIE onset and apparent absence of a POE in deep-sea records suggests a rapid (< ocean mixing time scales) carbon release, followed by recovery driven by deep-sea mixing. Carbon released during the POE is therefore likely more similar to ongoing anthropogenic emissions in mass and rate than the main CIE. |
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