Five million years of high atmospheric CO2 in the aftermath of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction

Abstract The end-Permian mass extinction, the largest biological crisis in Earth history, is currently understood context of Siberian Traps volcanism introducing large quantities greenhouse gases to atmosphere, culminating Early Triassic hothouse. In our study, late Permian and atmospheric CO2 history was reconstructed by applying paleosol pCO2 barometer. Atmospheric shows an approximate 4× increase from mean concentrations 412–919 ppmv (Changhsingian) maximum levels between 2181 2610 (late Griesbachian). Mean estimates for later are 1261–1936 (Dienerian) 1063–1757 (Spathian). Significantly lower ranging 343 634 latest Middle (Anisian). 5 m.y. episode elevated suggests that negative feedback mechanisms such as silicate weathering were not effective enough reduce precrisis marine authigenic clay formation (i.e., reverse weathering) may have been important component global carbon cycle keeping at levels.