Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A multi-causal model of mass extinctions: Increase in trace metals in the oceans

  • General Aspects
  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Extinction Events in Earth History

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences ((LNEARTH,volume 30))

Abstract

Mass extinctions of life may be the net result of multiple, related causes. The correlation among mass extinctions, large-body impacts, ocean anoxic events, and flood-basalt volcanism suggests some common thread of cause and effect. Links between these phenomena have been proposed, and although the interactions are most likely complex, one common effect might be an increase in trace metals in the earth's surface systems. Increased trace metals could lead to severe effects on the biota, and would exacerbate the general environmental crises at times of comet or asteroid impacts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alvarez, L. W., Alvarez, W., Asaro, F. & Michel, H. V. (1980): Extraterrestrial Cause for the Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction. — Science, 208, 1095–1108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez, W. (1986): Towards a Theory of Impact Crises. — Eos, 67, 649–658.

    Google Scholar 

  • Angus, J. G. & Davis, G. R. (1976): Base Metal Enrichment in Volcanic Sublimates and Secondary Alteration Products from Vesuvius and Vulcano. — Miner. Mag., 40, 481–486.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apte, S. C. & Howard, A. G. (1986): Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium Speciation during a Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in a Closed Experimental Ecosystem. — Marine Chem., 20, 119–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arthur, M. A., Schlanger, S. O. & Jenkyns, H. C. (1987): The Cenomanian-Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event, II, Paleoceanographic Controls on Organic Matter Production and Preservation. — Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Pub., 26, 401–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benton, M. J. (1987): Mass Extinctions in the Fossil Record of Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Tetrapods. — Conference on Palaeontology and Evolution: Extinction Events, Leioa (Vizcaya) Spain, Oct. 20–23, 1987, 1–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourgeois, J., Hansen, T. A., Wiberg, P. L. & Kauffman, E. G. (1988): A Tsunami Deposit at the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary in Texas. — Science, 241, 567–570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bralower, T. J. & Thierstein, H. R. (1984): Low Productivity and Slow Deep-Water Circulation in Mid-Cretaceous Oceans. — Geology, 12, 614–618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brasier, M. D. & Young, R. L. A. (1988): Benthic Foraminifera and Anoxic Events in the Mesozoic. — Abstracts, Third International Conference on Global Bioevents, University of Colorado, Boulder, 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brochwicz-Lewinski, W. et al. (1988a): Cenomanian-Turonian “Magic” Layer in Southern Poland? — Abstracts, Third International Conference on Global Bioevents, University of Colorado, Boulder, 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brochwicz-Lewinski, W. et al. (1988b): Middle/Upper Jurassic Boundary Events: Extraterrestrial vs. Terrestrial Trigger and Scale of Extinctions. — Abstracts, Third International Conference on Global Bioevents, University of Colorado, Boulder, 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brumsack, H.-J. (1986): Trace Metal Accumulation in Black Shales from the Cenomanian/Turonian Boundary Event. — In: Walliser, O. H. (ed.): Global Bio-Events. — Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, 8, 337–343; Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buat-Menard, P. & Arnold, M. (1978): The Heavy Metal Chemistry of Atmospheric Particulate Matter Emitted by Mt. Etna Volcano. — Geophys. Res. Lett., 5, 245–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, J. D. & Statham, P. J. (1988): Trace Metals as Tracers in the Ocean. — Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., A325, 127–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldeira, K. G., Rampino, M. R. & Zachos, J. C. (1988): Atmospheric CO2 and the K/T Boundary. — Eos, 69, 377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cisowski, S. M. (1988): Magnetic Properties of K/T and E/O Microspherules: Origin by Combustion? — Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 88, 193–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Boer, P. L. (1983): Aspects of Middle Cretaceous Pelagic Sedimentation in Southern Europe; Production and Storage of Organic Matter, Stable Isotopes and Astronomical Influences. — Thesis, Institut voor Aardwetens-chappen de Rijksuniversiteit, Utrecht, 31, 112 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Graciansky, P. C., Deroo, G., Herbin, J. P., Jacquin, T., Magniez, F., Montadert, L., Müller, C., Ponsot, C., Schaaf, A. & Sigal, J. (1986): Ocean-wide Stagnation Episodes in the Late Cretaceous. — Geol. Rund., 75/1, 17–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Luca Rebello, A., Haekel, W., Moreira, I., Santelli, R. & Schroeder, F. (1986): The Fate of Heavy Metals in an Estuarine Tropical System. — Marine Chemistry, 18, 215–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, W. P. (1988): Geometry of Upper Cretaceous Bentonite Beds: Implications about Volcanic Source Areas and Paleowind Patterns, Western Interior, United States. — Geology, 16, 835–838.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emiliani, C., Kraus, E. B. & Shoemaker, E. M. (1981): Sudden Death at the End of the Mesozoic. — Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 55, 317–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erickson, D. J., III & Dickson, S. M. (1987): Global Trace-Element Biogeochemistry at the K/T Boundary: Oceanic and Biotic Response to a Hypothetical Meteorite Impact. — Geology, 15, 1014–1017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frakes, L. A. & Bolton, B. R. (1984): Origin of Manganese Giants: Sea-Level Change and Anoxic-oxic History. — Geology, 12, 83–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geldsetzer, H. H. J. et al. (1988): The Frasnian-Famennian Extinction Event in Western Canada. — Abstracts, Third International Conference on Global Bioevents, University of Colorado, Boulder, 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallam, A. (1984): Pre-Quaternary Sea-level Changes. — Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 12, 205–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hallam, A. (1986): The Pliensbachian and Tithonian Extinction Events. — Nature, 319, 765–768.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hallock, P. & Schlager, W. (1986): Nutrient Excess and the Demise of Coral Reefs and Carbonate Platforms. — Palaios, 1, 389–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hambach, U. (1988): Rockmagnetic Evidence for a Major Volcanic Event in the Uppermost Cenomanian and Lower Turonian of NW-Germany. — Abstracts, Third International Conference on Global Bioevents, University of Colorado, Boulder, 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, J. T., Apts, C. W., Crecelius, E. A. & Fellingham, G. W. (1985): The Sea-Surface Microlayer: Fate and Residence Times of Atmospheric Metals. — Limnol. Oceanog., 30, 93–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, M. B. & Ball, K. C. (1986): Late Cretaceous Anoxic Events, Sea-Level Changes and the Evolution of the Planktonic Foraminifera. — In: Summerhayes, C. P. & Shackleton, N. J. (eds.): North Atlantic Paleoceanography. — Geol. Soc. Special Publ., No. 21, 67–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbert, T. D. & Fischer, A. G. (1986): Milankovitch Climatic Origin of Mid-Cretaceous Black Shale Rhythms in Central Italy. — Nature, 321, 739–743.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hladil, J., Kesslerova, Z. & Friakova, O. (1986): The Kellwasser Event in Moravia. — In: Walliser, O. H. (ed.): Global Bio-Events. — Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, 8, 213–217; Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, C. W. (1986): Trace Metal Seasonal Variations in Texas Marine Sediments. — Marine Chemistry, 20, 13–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, K. J. (1986): Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary Event. — In: Hsu, K. J. (ed.): Mesozoic and Cenozoic Oceans. — Geodynamics Series, 5, 75–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, K. J. et al. (1982): Mass mortality and its environmental and evolutionary consequences. — Science, 216, 249–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hut, P., Alvarez, W., Elder, W. P., Hansen, T., Kauffman E. G., Keller, G., Shoemaker, E. M. & Weissman, P. R. (1987): Comet Showers as a Cause of Mass Extinctions. — Nature, 329, 118–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis, I., Carson, G. A., Cooper, M. K. E., Hart, M. B., Leary, P. N., Tocher, B. A., Horne, D. & Rosenfeld, A. (1988): Microfossil Assemblages and the Cenomanian-Turonian (Late Cretaceous) Oceanic Anoxic Event. — Cretaceous Res., 9, 3–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkyns, H. C. (1988): The Early Toarcian (Jurassic) Anoxic Event: Stratigraphic, Sedimentary, and Geochemical Evidence. — Amer. Jour. Sci., 288, 101–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, C. L. & Murray, J. W. (1985): The Geochemistry of Manganese in the Northeast Pacific Ocean Off Washington. — Limnol. Oceanogr., 30, 81–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kauffman, E. G. (1986): High Resolution Event Stratigraphy: Regional and Global Cretaceous Bioevents. — In: Walliser, O. H. (ed.): Global Bio-Events. — Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, 8, 279–335; Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kauffman, E. G. (1988): The Dynamics of Marine Stepwise Mass Extinction. — In: Lamolda, M., Kauffman, E. G. & Walliser, O. H. (eds.): Paleontology and Evolution: Extinction Events. — Rev. Espanola de Paleont., n. extrord., 57–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kauffman, E. G., Elder, W. P. & Pratt, L. (1988): Environmental and Biological Dynamics of the Cenomanian-Turonian Mass Extinction Event: Western Interior North America. — Abstracts, Third International Conference on Global Bioevents, University of Colorado, Boulder, 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhnt, W., Thurow, J., Wiedmann, J. & Herbin, J. P. (1986): Oceanic Anoxic Conditions Around the Cenomanian/Turonian Boundary and Response of the Biota. — SCOPE/UNEP Sonderband Heft 60, 205–246, Hamburg, Univ. of Hamburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leary, P. N. (1987): The Late Cenomanian Oceanic Anoxic Event: Implications for Foraminiferal Evolution. — Ph. D. Thesis, CNAA, Plymouth Polytechnic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. H. & Fitzwater, S. E. (1988): Iron Deficiency Limits Phytoplankton in the North-east Pacific Subarctic. — Nature, 331, 341–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. H. & Gordon, R. M. (1988): Northeast Pacific Iron Distribution in Relation to Phytoplankton Productivity. — Deep-Sea Res., 35, 177–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menyialov, I. & Nikitin, L. (1977): Chemistry and Metal Contents of Magmatic Gases: The New Tolbachik Volcanoes Gas. — Bull. Volcanol., 43, 197–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyers, P. A. & Mitterer, R. M. (1986): Introduction and Overview. — Marine Geology, 70, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, W. S. & Dymond, J. (1988): Correlation of 210 Pb Removal with Organic Carbon Fluxes in the Pacific Ocean. — Nature, 331, 339–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noe-Nygaard, N., Surlyk, F. & Piasecki, S. (1987): Bivalve Mass Mortality Caused by Toxic Dinoflagellate Blooms in a Berriasian-Valanginian Lagoon, Bornholm, Denmark. — Palaios, 2, 263–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Officer, C. B. & Drake, C. L. (1985): Terminal Cretaceous Environmental Events. — Science, 227, 1161–1167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orth, C. J., Attrep, M., Jr., Mao, X. Y., Kauffman, E. G., Diner, R. & Elder, W. (1988): Iridium Abundance Maxima in the Upper Cenomanian Extinction Interval. — Geophys. Res. Lett., 15, 346–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacey, N. R. (1984): Bentonites in the Chalk of Central Eastern England and their Relationship to the Opening of the Northeast Atlantic. — Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 67, 48–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prinn, R. G. & Fegley, B., Jr. (1987): Bolide Impacts, Acid Rain, and Biospheric Traumas at the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary. — Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 83, 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rampino, M. R. (1987): Impact cratering and flood basalt volcanism. — Nature, 327, p. 468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rampino, M. R. (1988): Are Marine and Nonmarine Extinctions Correlated? — Eos, 69, 889, 895.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rampino, M. R., Self, S. & Stothers, R. B. (1988): Volcanic Winters. — Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 16, 73–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rampino, M. R. & Stothers, R. B. (1984): Terrestrial Mass Extinctions, Cometary Impacts and the Sun's Motion Perpendicular to the Galactic Plane. — Nature, 308, 709–712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rampino, M. R. & Stothers, R. B. (1988): Flood Basalt Volcanism During the Past 250 million years. — Science, 241, 663–668.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raup, D. M. & Sepkoski, J. J., Jr. (1984): Periodicity of Extinctions in the Geologic Past. — Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81, 801–805.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roth, P. H. (1987): Mesozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Evolution: Relation to Paleoceanographic Events. — Paleoceanog., 2, 601–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandberg, C. A., Ziegler, W., Dreesen, R. & Butler, J. L. (1988): Late Frasnian Mass Extinction: Conodont Event Stratigraphy, Global Changes and Possible Causes. — Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 102, 263–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento, J. L., Herbert, T. D. & Toggweiler, J. R. (1988): Causes of Anoxia in the World Ocean. — Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 2, 115–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schäfer, P. & Fois-Erickson, E. (1986): Triassic Bryozoa and the Evolutionary Crisis of Paleozoic Stenolaemata. — In: Walliser, O. H. (ed.): Global Bio-Events. — Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, 8, 251–255; Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlanger, S. O. & Jenkyns, H. C. (1976): Cretaceous Anoxic events: Causes and Consequences. — Geol. en Mijnbow, 55, 179–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheridan, R. E. (1987): Pulsation Tectonics as the Control of Long-Term Stratigraphic Cycles. — Paleoceanog., 2, 97–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sigg, L., Sturm, M. & Kistler, D. (1987): Vertical Transport of Heavy Metals by Settling Particles in Lake Zurich. — Limnol. Oceanog., 31, 112–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stothers, R. B., Wolff, J. A., Self, S. & Rampino, M. R. (1986): Basaltic Fissure Eruptions, Plume Heights, and Atmospheric Aerosols. — Geophys. Res. Lett., 13, 725, 728.

    Google Scholar 

  • Summerhayes, C. P. (1987): Organic-Rich Cretaceous Sediments from the North Atlantic. — In: Brooks, J. & Fleet, A. J. (eds.): Marine Petroleum Source Rocks, Geological Society Special Pub., 26, 301–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thurow, J. & Kuhnt, W. (1986): Mid-Cretaceous of the Gibraltar Arch Area. — In: Summerhayes, C. P. & Shackleton, N. J. (eds.): North Atlantic Paleoceanography, Geol. Society Spec. Pub., 21, 423–445.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valente, I. M., Minski, M. J. & Peterson, P. J. (1982): Neutron Activation Analysis of Noble Metals in Vegetation. — Jour. Radioanal. Chem., 71, 115–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogt, P. R. (1972): Evidence for Global Synchronism in Mantle Plume Convection, and Possible Significance for Geology. — Nature, 240, 338–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, D. E. & Waring, G. A. (1962): Data of Geochemistry: Volcanic Emanations. — U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof Paper, 440-K.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilde, P. & Berry, W. B. N. (1984): Destabilization of the Ocean Density Structure and its Significance to Marine “Extinction ”Events. — Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol., 43, 143–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilde, P. & Berry, W. B. N. (1986): The Role of Oceanographic Factors in the Generation of Global Bio Events. — In: Walliser, O. H. (ed.): Global Bio-Events. — Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, 8, 75–91; Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolbach, W. S., Gilmour, I., Anders, E., Orth, C. J., & Brooks, R. R. (1988): Global Fire at the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary. — Nature, 334, 665–669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zachos, J. C. & Arthur, M. A. (1986): Paleoceanography of the Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary Event: Inferences From Stable Isotopic and Other Data. — Paleoceanography, 1, 5–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoller, W. H., Parrington, J. R. & Phelan-Kotra, J. M. (1983): Iridium Enrichment in Airborne Particles from Kilauea Volcano, January 1983. — Science, 222, 1118–1121.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, Polytechnic South West, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom

    Paul N. Leary

  2. Earth Systems Group, Department of Applied Science, New York University, 10003, New York, NY, USA

    Michael R. Rampino

Authors
  1. Paul N. Leary
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael R. Rampino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Erle G. Kauffman Otto H. Walliser

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Springer-Verlag

About this paper

Cite this paper

Leary, P.N., Rampino, M.R. (1990). A multi-causal model of mass extinctions: Increase in trace metals in the oceans. In: Kauffman, E.G., Walliser, O.H. (eds) Extinction Events in Earth History. Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, vol 30. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0011133

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0011133

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-52605-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-47071-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation