The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Spatially Heterogeneous Marine Deoxygenation Across the Two-phase End-Triassic Mass Extinction
ID:302 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 18:15 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 35 - Ocean-climate dynamics through Earth history: integrating proxies, modeling, and data science

Abstract
Although marine deoxygenation is widely cited as a primary kill mechanism during the end-Triassic mass extinction, its spatial extent and timing relative to the event's two distinct extinction pulses remain poorly constrained. Specifically, it is unclear whether oxygen depletion was already widespread during the initial phase, or if it emerged later as a delayed response to prolonged environmental forcing. To address this, we reconstructed water-column redox conditions across contrasting basin types in the western Tethys. Integrating new Fe speciation and trace-metal data from the Cleveland and Cheshire basins with existing regional records, we demonstrate that the first extinction pulse coincided with a transition from predominantly oxic to only localized oxygen-deficient conditions. This argues strongly against pervasive marine anoxia during the early extinction stage. Conversely, the second extinction pulse aligned with a significant expansion of oxygen-deficient waters. This phase was characterized by ferruginous to euxinic conditions in restricted epicontinental basins, whereas suboxic to oxic conditions persisted on adjacent carbonate platforms. Ultimately, our results reveal that marine deoxygenation was a spatially selective and temporally delayed response to Central Atlantic Magmatic Province volcanism, heavily modulated by local basin restriction and circulation. Consequently, we propose that distinct environmental mechanisms drove the two phases of this mass extinction.
Speaker
Tianchen He College of Oceanography, Hohai University

Author
Tianchen He College of Oceanography, Hohai University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027