Ocean acidification in the aftermath of the Marinoan glaciation

Frank Ohnemueller*, Anthony R. Prave, Anthony E. Fallick, Simone A. Kasemann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Boron isotope patterns preserved in cap carbonates deposited in the aftermath of the younger Cryogenian (Marinoan, ca. 635 Ma) glaciation confirm a temporary ocean acidification event on the continental margin of the southern Congo craton, Namibia. To test the significance of this acidification event and reconstruct Earth's global seawater pH states at the Cryogenian-Ediacaran transition, we present a new boron isotope data set recorded in cap carbonates deposited on the Yangtze Platform in south China and on the Karatau microcontinent in Kazakhstan. Our compiled δ11B data reveal similar ocean pH patterns for all investigated cratons and confirm the presence of a global and synchronous ocean acidification event during the Marinoan deglacial period, compatible with elevated postglacial pCO2 concentrations. Differences in the details of the ocean acidification event point to regional distinctions in the buffering capacity of Ediacaran seawater.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1103-1106
Number of pages4
JournalGeology
Volume42
Issue number12
Early online date1 Oct 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014

Keywords

  • Snowball Earth
  • Doushantuo formation
  • Carbon isotope
  • South China
  • Boron
  • Hypothesis
  • Seawater
  • Section
  • Calcium
  • Models

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