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Enhanced phosphorus weathering contributed to Late Miocene cooling
Yi Zhong1,2, Zhiguo Li3, Xuefa Shi4
1Centre for Marine Magnetism (CM2), Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China. zhongy@sustech.edu.cn.
Nature Communications
|January 28, 2025
Summary
Late Miocene cooling was driven by increased phosphorus weathering, which lowered atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. This study reveals a significant decoupling of phosphorus and silicate weathering during this major carbon cycle event.
Area of Science:
- Paleoceanography
- Climate Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Understanding Late Miocene climate evolution is crucial for assessing Earth's climate sensitivity under warmer-than-modern conditions.
- The mechanisms behind Late Miocene cooling (7-5.4 million years ago) and associated carbon cycle changes remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the driving mechanisms of Late Miocene climate and carbon cycle shifts.
- To elucidate the causes of the Late Miocene cooling event.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of magnetic and geochemical paleoceanographic proxies from a hydrogenetic ferromanganese crust.
- Utilized a global biogeochemical model to simulate climate and carbon cycle dynamics.
Main Results:
- A 50% increase in deep ocean phosphorus concentrations was observed between 7 and 4 million years ago.
- This phosphorus surge coincided with enhanced deep ocean oxygen consumption.
- Increased continental phosphorus weathering, uncoupled from silicate weathering, led to decreased atmospheric CO2 and cooling.
Conclusions:
- Continental phosphorus weathering played a key role in the Late Miocene cooling event.
- A significant decoupling of phosphorus and silicate weathering occurred during this period.
- This finding provides insights into major carbon cycling events over the last 10 million years.
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