Zhang, Yi; Yao, Hanwei; Zhang, Yinggang; Bown, Paul R; Grasby, Stephen E; Yin, Runsheng; Han, Kaibo; ... Chen, Xi; + view all Zhang, Yi; Yao, Hanwei; Zhang, Yinggang; Bown, Paul R; Grasby, Stephen E; Yin, Runsheng; Han, Kaibo; Guo, Huifang; Wang, Chengshan; Chen, Xi; - view fewer (2026) Quantifying volcanism during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 constrained by sedimentary mercury. Global and Planetary Change , 257 , Article 105207. 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2025.105207.

Text Zhang et al 2025 Hg accepted.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 3 December 2026. Download (2MB)

Abstract

The Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2, ca. 94 Ma) is one of the most significant carbon cycle perturbations during the Mesozoic Era. It is widely considered to have been triggered by large igneous provinces (LIPs) volcanism. However, quantifying the pattern and magnitude of LIPs volcanic activity remain insufficiently understood. Here, we model sedimentary mercury enrichment and mercury isotope variations across OAE 2 to quantitatively evaluate the LIPs volcanism. Our global oceanic Hg box modeling results suggest an 8–16-fold increase (∼2480–4960 Mg yr−1) in volcanic Hg inputs to the atmosphere and ocean in the lead-up to the OAE onset. The global Hg enrichment factor (Hg-EF) data exhibit spatial heterogeneity during OAE 2. The lack of globally uniform Hg enrichment underscores the complex interplay between volcanism style (submarine vs. subaerial), paleogeographic isolation, and proximity to LIPs during OAE 2.

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