Surface ocean warming and acidification driven by rapid carbon release precedes Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.

ABSTRACT: The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is recognized by a major negative carbon isotope (δ¹³C) excursion (CIE) signifying an injection of isotopically light carbon into exogenic reservoirs, the mass, source, and tempo of which continue to be debated. Evidence of a transient precursor carbon release(s) has been identified in a few localities, although it remains equivocal whether there is a global signal. Here, we present foraminiferal δ¹³C records from a marine continental margin section, which reveal a 1.0 to 1.5‰ negative pre-onset excursion (POE), and concomitant rise in sea surface temperature of at least 2°C and a decline in ocean pH. The recovery of both δ¹³C and pH before the CIE onset and apparent absence of a POE in deep-sea records suggests a

SUBMITTER: Babila TL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8926327 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature