Ocean stagnation and end-Permian anoxia

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2001 Ocean stagnation and end-Permian anoxia Roberta M. Hotinski; Roberta M. Hotinski 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Karen L. Bice; Karen L. Bice 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lee R. Kump; Lee R. Kump 3Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Raymond G. Najjar; Raymond G. Najjar 4Department of Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael A. Arthur Michael A. Arthur 5Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2001) 29 (1): 7–10. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0007:OSAEPA>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 01 May 2000 rev-recd: 21 Sep 2000 accepted: 04 Oct 2000 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Roberta M. Hotinski, Karen L. Bice, Lee R. Kump, Raymond G. Najjar, Michael A. Arthur; Ocean stagnation and end-Permian anoxia. Geology 2001;; 29 (1): 7–10. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0007:OSAEPA>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Ocean stagnation has been invoked to explain the widespread occurrence of organic-carbon–rich, laminated sediments interpreted to have been deposited under anoxic bottom waters at the time of the end-Permian mass extinction. However, to a first approximation, stagnation would severely reduce the upwelling supply of nutrients to the photic zone, reducing productivity. Moreover, it is not obvious that ocean stagnation can be achieved. Numerical experiments performed with a three-dimensional global ocean model linked to a biogeochemical model of phosphate and oxygen cycling indicate that a low equator to pole temperature gradient could have produced weak oceanic circulation and widespread anoxia in the Late Permian ocean. We find that polar warming and tropical cooling of sea-surface temperatures cause anoxia throughout the deep ocean as a result of both lower dissolved oxygen in bottom source waters and increased nutrient utilization. Buildup of quantities of H2S and CO2 in the Late Permian ocean sufficient to directly cause a mass extinction, however, would have required large increases in the oceanic nutrient inventory. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.