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An early Cambrian greenhouse climate.
Thomas W Hearing1,2, Thomas H P Harvey1, Mark Williams1
1School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
Science Advances
|May 12, 2018
Summary
Early Cambrian sea surface temperatures were warm (20-25°C) at high southern latitudes, revealed by new fossil phosphate analysis. This supports a greenhouse climate during the Cambrian explosion.
Area of Science:
- Paleoclimatology
- Paleontology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- The early Cambrian period (~541-509 million years ago) witnessed significant animal diversification.
- Understanding early Cambrian sea temperatures is crucial for marine environmental studies but is limited by gaps in the stable oxygen isotope (δ18O) record.
- Existing records are incomplete before the evolution of euconodonts.
Observation:
- Previously overlooked fossil biogenic phosphate sources can fill gaps in paleoclimate records.
- Pristine phosphatic microfossils from the Comley Limestones (UK) provide a robust δ18O signature.
- Analysis focused on the interval between ~514 and 509 million years ago.
Findings:
- Sea surface temperatures were estimated at 20° to 25°C at high southern paleolatitudes (~65°S to 70°S).
- These temperatures align with coeval evaporite and calcrete deposits, peak continental weathering, and climate model simulations.
- The findings suggest an early Cambrian greenhouse climate.
Implications:
- This research provides a more complete picture of early Cambrian ocean conditions.
- The findings support an early Cambrian greenhouse climate comparable to the Mesozoic and Cenozoic.
- This offers a framework for investigating the relationship between environmental factors and Cambrian animal diversification.
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