Enhanced phosphorus recycling during past oceanic anoxia amplified by low rates of apatite authigenesis.

ABSTRACT: Enhanced recycling of phosphorus as ocean deoxygenation expanded under past greenhouse climates contributed to widespread organic carbon burial and drawdown of atmospheric CO₂. Redox-dependent phosphorus recycling was more efficient in such ancient anoxic marine environments, compared to modern anoxic settings, for reasons that remain unclear. Here, we show that low rates of apatite authigenesis in organic-rich sediments can explain the amplified phosphorus recycling in ancient settings as reflected in highly elevated ratios of organic carbon to total phosphorus. We argue that the low rates may be partly the result of the reduced saturation state of sediment porewaters with respect to apatite linked to ocean warming and acidification and/or a decreased availability of calcium ca

SUBMITTER: Papadomanolaki NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10883373 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature