The role of calcium in regulating marine phosphorus burial and atmospheric oxygenation
Zhao, M.; Zhang, S.; Tarhan, L.G.; Reinhard, C.T.; Planavsky, N.J. (2020). The role of calcium in regulating marine phosphorus burial and atmospheric oxygenation. Nature Comm. 11(1): 8 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15673-3
In: Nature Communications. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2041-1723; e-ISSN 2041-1723, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Zhao, M.
- Zhang, S.
- Tarhan, L.G.
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- Reinhard, C.T.
- Planavsky, N.J.
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| Abstract |
The marine phosphorus cycle plays a critical role in controlling the extent of global primary productivity and thus atmospheric pO2 on geologic time scales. However, previous attempts to model carbon–phosphorus-oxygen feedbacks have neglected key parameters that could shape the global P cycle. Here we present new diagenetic models to fully parameterize marine P burial. We have also coupled this diagenetic framework to a global carbon cycle model. We find that seawater calcium concentration, by strongly influencing carbonate fluorapatite (CFA) formation, is a key factor controlling global phosphorus cycling, and therefore plays a critical role in shaping the global oxygen cycle. A compilation of Cenozoic deep-sea sedimentary phosphorus speciation data provides empirical support for the idea that CFA formation is strongly influenced by marine Ca concentrations. Therefore, we propose a previously overlooked coupling between Phanerozoic tectonic cycles, the major-element composition of seawater, the marine phosphorus cycle, and atmospheric pO2. |
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