Changes in continental weathering regimes inhibited global marine deoxygenation during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum.

ABSTRACT: The moderate impact of rapid global warming on oceanic redox and biodiversity during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM; ~55.9 Ma) contrasts with other hyperthermal events in Earth's history, and remains mostly unexplained. Here, we use lithium isotope (δ⁷Li) proxy and Earth system model simulations to reconstruct continental weathering regimes during the PETM. Negative δ⁷Li excursions of 3-4‰ in shallow-marine carbonates suggests globally increased erosion rates and decreased weathering intensities. Further, large negative δ⁷Li excursions of 4-5‰ in siliciclastic successions reflect enhanced accumulation of detrital clays exhumed from previous clay-rich sedimentary rocks, rather than those from weathering of igneous rocks. Changes in continental we

SUBMITTER: Wei GY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12528694 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature