
Abstract The long-term effects of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, a large igneous province connected to the end-Triassic mass-extinction (201.5 Ma), remain largely elusive. Here, we document the persistence of volcanic-induced mercury (Hg) pollution and its effects on the biosphere for ~1.3 million years after the extinction event. In sediments recovered in Germany (Schandelah-1 core), we record not only high abundances of malformed fern spores at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, but also during the lower Jurassic Hettangian, indicating repeated vegetation disturbance and stress that was eccentricity-forced. Crucially, these abundances correspond to increases in sedimentary Hg-concentrations. Hg-isotope ratios (δ 202 Hg, Δ 199 Hg) suggest a volcanic source of Hg-enrichment at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary but a terrestrial source for the early Jurassic peaks. We conclude that volcanically injected Hg across the extinction was repeatedly remobilized from coastal wetlands and hinterland areas during eccentricity-forced phases of severe hydrological upheaval and erosion, focusing Hg-pollution in the Central European Basin.
Spores, Geologic Sediments, Geologic Sediments/chemistry, Science, Climate, General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology, Hg-isotopes, General Physics and Astronomy, Volcanic Eruptions, Jurassic, Extinction, Biological, Article, Germany, Faculty of Science, Hg-pollution, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/TheFacultyOfScience, SDG 15 - Life on Land, Hettangian, volcanism, eccentricity, end-Triassic mass extinction, Fossils, Q, fern spores, General Chemistry, Mercury, end-Triassic mass extinction, Mercury/analysis, Mutagenesis, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/TheFacultyOfScience; name=Faculty of Science, Ferns
Spores, Geologic Sediments, Geologic Sediments/chemistry, Science, Climate, General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology, Hg-isotopes, General Physics and Astronomy, Volcanic Eruptions, Jurassic, Extinction, Biological, Article, Germany, Faculty of Science, Hg-pollution, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/TheFacultyOfScience, SDG 15 - Life on Land, Hettangian, volcanism, eccentricity, end-Triassic mass extinction, Fossils, Q, fern spores, General Chemistry, Mercury, end-Triassic mass extinction, Mercury/analysis, Mutagenesis, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/TheFacultyOfScience; name=Faculty of Science, Ferns
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