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Sudden productivity collapse associated with the Triassic-Jurassic boundary mass extinction
P D Ward1, J W Haggart, E S Carter
1Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 12, 2001
Summary
The end-Triassic mass extinction caused a significant collapse in marine plankton productivity. This event, evidenced by carbon isotopes, mirrors other major extinction events in Earth's history.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Geochemistry
- Earth Science
Background:
- The end-Triassic mass extinction is one of the five largest extinction events in Earth's history.
- Understanding the causes and impacts of this event is crucial for comprehending Phanerozoic biodiversity dynamics.
Observation:
- Stratigraphic sections from the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, Canada, were analyzed.
- Carbon isotope data were collected to reconstruct past environmental conditions.
Findings:
- A pronounced collapse in marine productivity occurred at the end-Triassic boundary.
- This productivity collapse coincided with a sudden extinction event affecting marine plankton.
- The observed carbon isotope excursion is comparable to those seen in the Permian-Triassic and Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction events.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a widespread disruption of marine ecosystems during the end-Triassic.
- This event highlights the vulnerability of marine plankton to environmental changes.
- Further research can elucidate the specific mechanisms driving this end-Triassic productivity collapse and plankton extinction.
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