Thermogenic methane release as a cause for the long duration of the PETM
The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) was a period of global warming associated with rapid massive 13C-depleted carbon input, often mentioned as a paleoanalog for future climate change and associated feedbacks. One hypothesized carbon source is intrusive volcanism in the North Atlantic region,...
Published in: | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
National Academy of Sciences
2016
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5087067/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27790990 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1603348113 |
Summary: | The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) was a period of global warming associated with rapid massive 13C-depleted carbon input, often mentioned as a paleoanalog for future climate change and associated feedbacks. One hypothesized carbon source is intrusive volcanism in the North Atlantic region, but rigid dating lacks. We date thermogenic methane release from a hydrothermal vent and find that it postdates the onset of the PETM but correlates to a period of additional carbon injection within the PETM. This study provides evidence of carbon release during the PETM from a reservoir (i.e., organic matter in sedimentary rocks) and implies that carbon release from the vent systems should be included in all future considerations regarding PETM carbon cycling. |
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