The Mesozoic era (252-66 Ma) is known for the occurrence of several climatic and oceanic disturbances that caused significant disruptions to the Earth's climate and oceanographic conditions. The consequences of these climatic perturbations had a significant impact on marine life and biodiversity, resulting in several minor mass extinctions (e.g., end Triassic, end Pliensbachian). These events serve as case studies for understanding how the Earth's climate and ecosystems respond to global-scale changes in environmental conditions, especially those related to perturbations of the carbon cycle. Particularly, Oceanic anoxic events (OAEs) are significant disruptions to the global carbon cycle related to the sudden influx of isotopically light carbon from CO2 released from volcanogenic and/or methanogenic sources. This led to a rapid increase in temperature triggering a cascade effect that accelerated the hydrological cycle, increase continental weathering, enhanced nutrient discharge to oceans and lakes, intensified upwelling, and increased organic productivity. 

Peer-reviewed publications:

Remírez, M., Algeo, T., 2020a. Carbon-cycle changes during the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) and implications for regional versus global drivers of the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event. Earth Science Reviews, 209, 103283.

Team