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Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses
Published on: October 21, 2016
12.0K
Dynamic link between Neo-Tethyan subduction and atmospheric CO2 changes: insights from seismic tomography
Hao Shen1, Liang Zhao1, Zhengtang Guo2
1State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; College of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Science Bulletin
|March 12, 2023
Summary
Volcanic arc degassing significantly impacts paleoclimate. This study links Neo-Tethyan subduction to Cenozoic climate shifts, revealing tectonic controls on atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).
Area of Science:
- Geoscience
- Paleoclimatology
- Tectonics
Background:
- Volcanic arc degassing is a major source of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), influencing paleoclimate.
- The role of Neo-Tethyan decarbonation subduction in Cenozoic climate change lacks precise quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the impact of past subduction on atmospheric CO2 levels.
- To establish a causal link between Neo-Tethyan subduction dynamics and Cenozoic climate variations.
Main Methods:
- Improved seismic tomography to reconstruct past subduction scenarios.
- Calculation of subducted slab flux in the India-Eurasia collision zone.
- Correlation analysis between slab flux and paleoclimate data.
Main Results:
- Synchronicity observed between calculated slab flux and Cenozoic paleoclimate parameters.
- Closure of Neo-Tethyan subduction led to increased subduction of carbon-rich sediments and volcanic activity, triggering warming.
- Termination of Neo-Tethyan subduction correlates with a significant CO2 drop around 50-40 Ma.
Conclusions:
- Neo-Tethyan Ocean evolution and its subduction dynamics are critical drivers of Cenozoic climate change.
- The India-Eurasia collision's role in terminating subduction is identified as a primary cause for a major CO2 decrease.
- Post-40 Ma CO2 decline is potentially linked to increased continental weathering from Tibetan Plateau uplift, providing constraints for carbon cycle models.
Keywords:
Climate changeIndia–Eurasia collisionNeo-Tethyan subductionSeismic tomographyTectonic carbon cyclingTectonic reconstructionMore Related Videos
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