Low oxygen levels in earliest Triassic soils

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2002 Low oxygen levels in earliest Triassic soils Nathan D. Sheldon; Nathan D. Sheldon 1Department of Geological Sciences, 1272, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gregory J. Retallack Gregory J. Retallack 1Department of Geological Sciences, 1272, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2002) 30 (10): 919–922. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0919:LOLIET>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 07 Mar 2002 rev-recd: 18 Jun 2002 accepted: 21 Jun 2002 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Nathan D. Sheldon, Gregory J. Retallack; Low oxygen levels in earliest Triassic soils. Geology 2002;; 30 (10): 919–922. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0919:LOLIET>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 An earliest Triassic methane postapocalyptic greenhouse following the Permian-Triassic (P-T) extinction event was proposed on the basis of evidence of deeply weathered paleosols at high latitudes with features of low-latitude soils, and low stomatal index values of seed fern leaves. Reexamination of distinctive phyllosilicates, unique to a single stratigraphic level, in paleosols located just above the isotopically defined Permian-Triassic boundary in Australia and Antarctica furnishes additional tests of this hypothesis. Illite is the dominant clay mineral in earliest Triassic paleosols from Antarctica, but the paleosols also contain conspicuous green nodules of coarsely crystalline berthierine. Examples from the geologic record and from experimental studies indicate that the formation of berthierine is restricted to reducing conditions. The occurrence of this unusual mineral in soils may indicate soil oxygen consumption by the influx of atmospheric methane to form carbon dioxide, which in turn warmed the earliest Triassic, giving rise to a postapocalyptic greenhouse. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.